ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals got a big win Thursday against the Padres, but unfortunately, the team set another record low for attendance at Busch Stadium III.
On opening day, Cardinal Nation was full of excitement, but the attitude has changed at the intersection of 8th and Clark.
“It’s turned the last couple of months,” Karen Boschert said. “They’re tired. The fans are showing the Cardinals that they’re done. They want change.”
Karen Boschert has sold concessions outside the stadium for 26 years and she says she’s never seen things suffer around the ballpark like they have this season.
“All of us businesses down here are feeling the effect of what’s happening with the team and with the crime in St. Louis,” Boschert said.
She lost thousands last season as the team struggled to a last-place finish and says things haven’t improved in 2024.
“We’re losing money,” Boschert said. “We’re continuing to do it because we have faith that the Cardinals will come back. I love being the hot dog lady. It’s getting harder and harder to set up. I’ve cut my staff down. My prices are reasonable. You can take my food into the stadium.”
For radio hosts Tim McKernan and Bernie Miklasz, that speaks to a bigger issue brewing at Busch Stadium.
“I think that they have to be cognizant of how severe this situation is,” Tim McKernan said. “It’s a domino effect. No people in the stands means no revenue from concessions. That means no revenue at Ballpark Village.”
“Every aspect of this team has gone sour,” Bernie Miklasz said.
There seems to be a common complaint amongst fans.
“The product on the field,” Boschert said. “If you ask my fans, Mozeliak needs to go.”
“You’ve got to start over with your front office,” Miklasz said. “You just have to or business will just continue to go down, down, down.”
As the team continues to struggle through the dog days of summer, Boschert said she and other small business owners mulling over their future at the ballpark.
“Like, when do I call it?” Boschert said. “Do I say I’m done? If I stop, they’re not going to let anyone else vend over here.”
The Cardinals will spend the next week on the road before returning home next Friday.
StubHub currently lists dozens of lower-level tickets as low as $7.