Just hours before the Orlando Magic faced the Sacramento Kings at Amway Center on Wednesday night, the familiar buzz of fans walking Church Street filled the air of downtown Orlando again.
Magic games are back at Amway Center for the first time since the NBA suspended operations in March. Businesses on Church Street just east of the arena have struggled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the end of state restrictions and returning events have driven some business back to downtown Orlando, merchants say.
John Paonessa, co-owner of Hamburger Mary’s, said he has started to see business from Orlando Magic and Solar Bears games again.