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Success in the Bucs' lack of success

SCOTT BARANCIK
Published November 24, 2003

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sinking, and St. Petersburg businessman Page Obenshain couldn't be happier.

The reigning Super Bowl champs' success had been murder on the waterfront convenience store Obenshain owns with his wife, Lee. Instead of spending Sundays at sea - and buying diesel, tackle and beer at the Marina Point Ship's Store - local boaters stayed home, epoxied to their couches in front of the TV.

"The Bucs have cost us many thousands of dollars in revenue," Obenshain said. He said a friend who owns a car wash saw a similar collapse in Sunday traffic.

Now that the Bucs are losing again, however, business has begun picking up.

"Last Sunday," he says, "we had a good day of selling fuel."

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