The NHL has said it will lock out its players on Sept. 15 if a new labour deal is not in place by that date. That has some Winnipeg businesses concerned about the potential effects if the Jets don’t hit the ice for games in Winnipeg.

“Them not playing those 40 (home) games here would be detrimental to our business,” said Kelvin Peters, who opened the Arkadash Bistro & Lounge in downtown Winnipeg months ago.
He said a drop in revenue would be very likely if there are no NHL games in Winnipeg.

“Close to 200 people on a night like that plus the after crowd in the lounge – yeah, that’s big money,” he said.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said a lockout would also put a damper on bars and stores that enjoyed an increase in sales with the return of the Jets.

“The last thing Winnipeg wants after the love affair we’ve had with the Jets in year number one is for there to be no hockey in year number two,” said Chuck Davidson from the chamber.

The Manitoba Hotel Association said its members saw a one to two per cent increase in occupancy with the return of the Jets.

“One to two per cent doesn’t sound like a big percentage but it is when you think of the dollars involved,” said Jim Baker from the association.

Baker said a lockout means not only losing out on fans coming to stay to see a come, but also media and players travelling to Winnipeg.

“The members that host the teams and the officials, etc. they may have already made bookings for them and if it's going to be a lockout they may want to free those bookings up,” said Baker.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said fans can be unforgiving following a labour disruption.

“These are multi-millionaires on either side of the table and the ones that get left holding the bag are the fans," said Davidson.

Part of the Jets’ financial success in season one came from merchandise sales.

Fans who spoke to CTV News Monday said they’d be less likely to buy Jets gear if the team isn’t on the ice in the 2012-2013 season.

A spokesperson for the Jets said the team can’t comment on the potential lockout, except to say it is currently operating as if there will indeed be hockey action in September, until it is told otherwise.

The players’ union and the NHL are set to resume talks on Aug. 14.

- with a report from CTV's Jeff Keele