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Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n
Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Blocks away from President Donald Trump<\/a> and the GOP faithful who flocked to the American Airlines Center<\/a>, the\u00a0A\u00e7a\u00ed Brasil shop sat empty Thursday.<\/p>\n In the wake of metal barriers, street closures and enhanced security measures, co-owner Estefan\u00eda Lomba kept the lights off for the final day of the Republican midterm convention\u00a0\u2014 a two-day rally and gathering<\/a> ahead of contentious November elections.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Live updates: Protesters gather in Dallas on last day of Republican midterm convention<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Lomba and other business owners close to the arena had to adapt. Some closed. Others remained open but saw their customer base dwindle. A handful closest to the arena made the best of the situation, reserving spaces for private events.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a little bit all over the place,\u201d Lomba said.\u00a0<\/p>\n A\u00a0slower pace<\/p>\n The End of the Trail, a sports bar across from the arena, sat near the end of a long line of metal barricades.<\/p>\n Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n After a Dallas Mavericks<\/a> or Stars<\/a> game, the bar is steps away from the arena. During the Republican convention, the walk was much longer. To get to the bar, general manager Charley Pozos went around the block, dodging barricades and closed streets.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News Some businesses that are within the security perimeter for the GOP convention have been affected by the heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s part of being a neighbor of the American Airlines Center\u00a0\u2014 and all the good and bad that comes with it,\u201d Pozos said. \u201cSometimes things are a little bit constrained. Sometimes things are a little bit of a feeding frenzy for us.\u201d<\/p>\n The bar was open Wednesday as speakers started taking the stage. During nights when there was a\u00a0Mavericks game, Stars game or concert, every seat would be full, Pozos said. At 6 p.m. on the first night of the convention, there were fewer than a dozen people in the bar.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Dallas Mavericks bring fancy restaurants to AAC in sports-food shakeup<\/a><\/p>\n The bar stayed open for the tenants of Ascent Victory Park Apartments who live on the floors above it.\u00a0Pozos said the bar is playing the long game, and he wants it to be a staple for people living in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Because it was a slow night, Pozos said he asked several workers to go home or not to come in. The bar also hasn\u2019t been able to get some deliveries because of checkpoints set up around the area. He said he delayed a liquor order until Friday.<\/p>\n Pozos said he expected some security measures but wasn\u2019t sure what it would look like. Although the bar was tucked behind a fence, he said he hoped some people from the event might find the bar later in the night.<\/p>\n Some businesses weren\u2019t not affected within security perimeter for the GOP convention. There is heightened security measures around the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n Steve Nurenberg\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n New customers<\/p>\n Inside the barricades, Patrick\u00a0Quinlan, general manager of CardVault by Tom Brady, said sporting events drive more traffic into their store than the convention.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n People going to a Mavericks or Stars game are more likely to buy sports cards, the store\u2019s main product.<\/p>\n However, Pok\u00e9mon cards have been selling better than usual during the convention, Quinlan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cToday has been more opportunistic,\u201d Quinlan said. \u201cGrandma calling grandson, \u2018Hey do you want a pack of Pok\u00e9mon cards?\u2019 type situation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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