Friday, January 20, 2006
Wearing black and gold will be in vogue this weekend.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
There's no shortage of sports paraphernalia available if you want to look fantastic to cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they play the Denver Broncos at 3 p.m. Sunday at Invesco Field in Denver.
Nichole Guerino, manager of Nadene's Trading Post at Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage, said the store has "about 500 different kinds of Steelers stuff."
"We have almost anything you could be looking for," Guerino said. That includes 10 styles of sweat shirts, five kinds of hoodies and at least 30 different T-shirts.
"On Monday [Jan. 16] when there wasn't school, we were really busy, and it was the day after the game," she said. "I think Friday and Saturday will be good too. And we'll have people in here before the game starts; then it will be dead."
Guerino said she recognizes "regular fans" who stop by and pick up various merchandise, and Steelers Day at schools adds to sales. "Steeler things sell whether they win or lose," she said. "And the Terrible Towels are a big thing."
Since the game will be played in Denver, most Steelers fans probably will be watching from their homes, at parties or bars.
"I haven't heard of people going to the game, but I think there will be lots of parties," Guerino said. "People may buy a Steelers clock and ashtrays for a party and pick up some other odds and ends."
Biggest sellers
Mark Multari, owner of The Gold Mind in Sharon, Pa., said game jerseys get the most interest and are the biggest sellers at his store, which carries sports apparel and jewelry.
"My biggest seller is the Troy Polamalu No. 43."
"Other requests are for Ben Roethlisberger No. 7, Jerome Bettis No. 36 and Hines Ward No. 86 jerseys," he said of the licensed NFL merchandise.
Multari said he already has made arrangements to get apparel touting the Steelers as the AFC champions. "The manufacturers are ready to go with whoever wins Sunday. They'll make up the merchandise that night and ship it the next day, and I'll get it a couple days later," he said.
"If they win, that will bring in another whole line of requests," he said.
Since the Steelers are on a winning streak, Multari said he's seen steady sales.
"I really think they're a team of destiny ... no one expected this," he said.
Other items that are popular include the Terrible Towel, introduced by former Steelers sportscaster Myron Cope in the mid-1970s, flags and gold pendants, Multari said.
Classic Bakery in Boardman caters to Steelers' fans with a sweet tooth with cakes and cookies decorated with the team name and black and gold colors.
"We have Steelers cakes with helmets and the Terrible Towel," said Rose Rovnak, manager-owner. "During the season, we do have the Steelers and Browns cakes and cookies, but it's just Steelers now."
She also reported one lone order for Denver Broncos cookies. "We have orders for Steelers' cakes and cookies for parties," Rovnak said.
Longtime fan
Like so many others, come Sunday, Ruth Gloss of Columbiana will be wearing her black and gold. "I'll go to church wearing my Steelers colors," she said.
"I have a black-and-gold throw that I wear as a shawl, and it has Steelers all over it," said the 86-year-old, who has been a fan "forever." She added that she also wears a little toboggan-style hat in black and gold on her lapel to show her support.
Her prediction for Sunday's game? "I expect the Steelers to win," she said with confidence.
Fans also might stop this weekend at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, where a sports cards and collectibles show is being held today through Sunday. Steelers memorabilia is among items being featured.
And if you're looking for a place to watch the Steelers on TV with fellow Ohioans, visit www.steelersohio.com, to find sites around the Buckeye State. It probably will be hard to find a stool or table available at area bars, where fans often congregate to cheer on the Steelers.