2/3/06 — “I can’t believe how much stuff there is!” exclaimed Deb Yoder of Saegertown, a life-long Steelers fan.

Like many among the Steeler Nation gearing up for the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 10 years, Yoder has been on a bit of a buying frenzy.

As of early this week, Yoder estimates she’s spent $30 to $40 just on Steelers clothing in the past few weeks. She isn’t alone.

Area merchants carrying Steelers souvenirs or all the trimmings for a Super Bowl party report that the big game translates into big business. It’s created a business bump of more than 25 percent in places like Just Brew It, a Vernon Township beer distributorship.

“I increased my inventory,” said John Levine, the distributorship’s owner. “I’m hoping for a 25 to 30 percent increase in business. It’s more than a normal Super Bowl (with Pittsburgh in it).”

Other types of local businesses are benefiting, too.

“Meadville is going to have a lot of parties,” said Dennis Paytas, owner and operator of the Giant Eagle grocery store in Vernon Township.

The store has been selling a lot of officially licensed merchandise emblazoned with the Steelers logo — everything from jerseys and T-shirts to plates, cups, napkins, beverage can/bottle covers and novelty items like Big Ben’s Beef Jerky — named for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The bakery even is in on the act. There are cakes with the Steelers helmet logo available.

“We’re expecting some tremendous sales Saturday and Sunday,” Paytas said as people are expected to stock up for parties ahead of Sunday night’s kickoff.

Sandy’s European Marketplace in Meadville has been selling a sandwich named for Roethlisberger since 2004 when he became the team’s quarterback.

It, too, is expecting to do a brisk food business for this weekend’s game, according to Doug Nickerson, store manager.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Nickerson. “That’s our team in northwest Pennsylvania. People come in with their (Steelers) colors on.”

Steelers merchandise — particularly clothing — has been hot as it can be, according to area retailers.

“We’ve been selling it as fast as we could get it in,” said Jim Kennedy, manager of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Vernon Township. “Jerseys are almost impossible to get (now). We’re selling sweatshirts and T-shirts.”

“With a local team you get a lot more business,” said Rick Miller, assistant manager of the Kmart in Vernon Township.

“The farther you go in any sport the better it is,” said Tim Carey, merchandise manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team has a number of retail outlets, including one at Grove City’s outlet center

“Our stores are crowded, too. As soon as we put it out on the shelves, it’s sold.”

Even some places not normally thought as Steelers retail centers are doing a brisk merchandise business.

“Unbelievable. It’s been busy the whole season, but the last two weeks have been crazy,” said Garrett Smith, an employee at Thermax, a sweeper store in the Park Avenue Plaza.

The store carries more than 200 different Steelers items.

“We’re selling a bit of it,” said Renee Silverman, advertising manager for Smoker Friendly, a 13-store cigarette and cigar retail chain in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. “Our regular customers are buying it.”

The Steelers in the Super Bowl also is pushing some high-end electronics sales, too. Flat screen liquid crystal display and plasma TVs are being sold, said Alan Flick of Flick’s TV & Appliance in Vernon Township.

“It comes up in conversation quite frequently,” Flick said of talking with customers about why they are purchasing a new television now. “It may be something they were thinking about and they’re ready to make the plunge,” he said.

Name-brand TVs with LCD or plasma can range from $500 to several thousand, depending on size.

A cheaper, but short-term solution may be renting a big-screen for the game. A 52-inch television can rent for $150 to $200 for 30 days, the typical minimum contract.

Rentway, a rent-to-own appliance dealer at the Downtown Mall, has about two dozen big-screen TVs rented out for Super Bowl weekend, said Gina Boughner, store manager.

“We got some church organizations holding Super Bowl parties and a few are going up to the college,” Boughner said. She said there are only five televisions left at her store to rent, but more might be available if given enough notice.

Rent-A-Center on Conneaut Lake Road only has two televisions remaining and has rented out a dozen.

“Get them while they’re hot,” said assistant manager John Morrell, mentioning that normally the store on average rents one television every two weeks.

Sales of Steelers items are expected to be brisk after the Super Bowl — especially if the team wins.

Yoder said she still has one pending purchase.

“If they win the Super Bowl, I’m ordering my son a Super Bowl shirt,” she said.



Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com