TOLEDO, Ohio — With the Toledo Mud Hens finished for the year and the Walleye still weeks away from their season opener, downtown businesses are working to keep customers coming through their doors.

For some, the solution is entertainment. Riverside Barbecue Co., a newly opened restaurant in Ostrich Towne, is banking on live music and the buzz of being the new spot in town.

“Being new, absolutely, is a boon for us right now because people want to try us,” said owner Paul Matthews. “They’ve been waiting for us to open, so we are getting a lot of those first-time guests coming in, which during this time of year, when there is a lull in downtown big events, is helpful.”

Others, like the Whiskey Red Saloon on Jefferson Avenue, are leaning on food, drink specials and live entertainment to fill the gap left by quiet arenas.

“We have some live entertainment, whether it be DJ bands, that kind of thing,” said owner Jeff Jones. “We have some food that we offer people and we’ve been doing some great deals on that. Plus some great drink specials. Just that time of year — back to school, fall.”

Customers say the extras make it worth the visit, even when downtown is less crowded.

“It’s a really great place. It’s got a lot of selection for their alcohol … They have food here. It’s really a great bar. Really, really phenomenal,” said patron Brandon Sharpe.

Sharpe added that unique offerings keep him coming back. “They have line dancing here. You’ve got to have stuff like that. That excites people. Not a lot of places have line dancing. You can do that here. That’s really great.”

Business owners say recent city upgrades, including intersection improvements at Cherry and Summit, as well as enhancements to the five-mile riverwalk and the Glass City Metropark, are helping to bring people downtown year-round.

“So this time of year to come downtown, look at the views, look at the fall colors, get ready to change down to park. It’s just a beautiful place,” Jones said.