Despite no ‘home team’ Hoosiers catch World Series fever

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Indiana may not have a Major League Baseball team, but it isn’t stopping Hoosiers from catching World Series fever.

Fat Dan’s Deli in Indianapolis may look calm for lunch, but dinner will look a lot different.

“It’s elbow to elbow,” Fat Dan’s Deli owner, Dan Jarman said. “You can’t move. You can’t see. It’s packed, everybody is having a great time. It’s a lot of fun.”

As the Cubs win playoff games, people keep coming back. The reason, Jarman has made Chicago fans feel at home.

“If you’re not at Wrigley, this is the place to be, for sure,” Jarman said. From the outside, to the wine, Cub’s logos are all around.

It’s a move Jarman, a Chicago native, said is paying off. “I mean really excited about the Cubs, obviously, and it’s great for business as well,” Jarman said. “It’s been a ton of fun. I couldn’t be happier.”

This playoff run is not only good for restaurant owners, but also for people looking who sell World Series merchandise which can be found at several stores, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, where fans can’t seem to get enough.

“T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, sock hats, pennants, everything, jerseys,” Cubs fan, Beth Draper said.

Those are all things Draper couldn’t wait to get her hands on. “Love it,” Draper said. “Oh my gosh, this is great. This is why I wanted to come and see to find just the right shirt for tonight, and see what else here and go from there.”

The World Series logo on merchandise is nice, but Draper is holding off on some things. “I want to find one that says World Series champs, but that’s yet to come,” Draper said.

It’s a shirt Jarman would love to hang in his restaurant. In the meantime, he’s torn as to how long he’d like to see the extra revenue.

“As a fan, I want it done and over with,” Jarman said. “I’d love to see a sweep. As a business owner, you know, it could go a few more games for sure.”