The "Love Is Blind" effect gives D.C. businesses a boost
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D.C. might have a love-hate relationship with our "Love Is Blind" stars, but local businesses are all in on the reality TV effect.
The big picture: In the three weeks between the first episode dropping and the finale, out Wednesday, many local spots featured on the show say they've seen a boost in interest and business.
Catch up quick: After the DMV-based couples met in the pods and jetted off to Cabo, they tested their relationships by returning home to live in D.C. (Uh, we mean Arlington.)
- While in town, the cast drank at local bars, dropped into local stores and went on dates at local restaurants.
- And no spoilers here! We won't say who got married on the final episode.
Zoom in: Amy Rutherford's Alexandria paper store Penny Post was featured on the show when local calligrapher Michele Hatty Fritz taught a calligraphy class to Taylor Krause and Garrett Josemans.
- Rutherford had to close the store for the day for Netflix to film and says she lost up to $3,000, but "it was definitely worth it. It was an investment."
- Rutherford says she saw a 31% spike in revenue in the days after her episode aired last week, compared to the same period last year — and people came into the store throughout the following weekend, saying they'd seen it on the show.
- Fritz, meanwhile, has seen a 200% bump in web traffic compared to the same period last year, and says she's already sold out a quarter of her Penny Post calligraphy classes for next year.
Other featured businesses are all in on the "Love Is Blind" effect, too:
- Brian Harrison, owner of the 14th Street bar The Crown & Crow, where the cast gathers for a Roaring Twenties-themed party, estimates he's seen a 40% to 50% jump in business since the episode dropped. The spot has also been filled during its weekly watch parties, he says.
- Sea the City saw a 40% uptick in month-to-month website visits on the day the episode featuring Ramses Prashad and Marissa George floating in a hot tub boat aired, says owner Adam Schwartz. There was also a 125% spike in bookings.
- And Artechouse has seen several inquiries about private events after Garrett and Taylor's on-screen date there, a spokesperson tells Axios. And Washingtonians are also all about its special "Love Is Blind" date night experience.
Zoom out: This isn't a D.C. season phenomenon — Charlotte businesses saw a boost after its "Love Is Blind" season premiered earlier this year.
The intrigue: It isn't exclusive to establishments either. The contestants are also seeing their stock rise.
- While the internet is buzzing about Garrett's glow-up, Nick Dorka is out here hosting events at D.C. clubs and doing moody photoshoots at what appears to be the National Gallery.
- Meanwhile, Leo Braudy has inspired "Art Dealer"-themed merch and Marissa and Bohdan Olinares are hosting a season premiere watch party at Metrobar Wednesday.
And nothing says you've made it quite like being paid to record Happy Birthday videos on Cameo — something many of our D.C. stars are doing.
What we're watching: What happens at the reunion airing next Wednesday, Oct. 30. — including who's stayed together.