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Valley businesses game for national championship
YOUNGSTOWN
Local businesses are flashing scarlet and gray and offering special promotions as the Ohio State Buckeyes play the Oregon Ducks in the national championship game tonight.
Some stores already have benefited from the excitement of the Buckeyes’ performance this season, especially after OSU defeated top-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“We have very little left of the OSU Sugar Bowl game [merchandise],” said Aimee Reyes, store manager of the J.C. Penney at Southern Park Mall in Boardman.
Reyes said the store has been selling Ohio State merchandise “phenomenally” throughout the holiday season.
“We sold as much OSU merchandise as we did with the [Cleveland] Browns and [Pittsburgh] Steelers combined,” she said.
Additionally, Giant Eagle locations in the Youngstown area have offered a variety of promotional pricing for in-home party essentials. Giant Eagle also is showing its Buckeye pride with in-store signage and displays while also encouraging its team members to wear Buckeye apparel.
“We welcome customers to visit their neighborhood Giant Eagle to stock up entertaining platters, game-time snacks, desserts, team gear and more,” Dan Donovan, marketing manager at Giant Eagle, said in a statement.
Additionally, some local restaurants will feature specials during the game. The Magic Tree Pub & Eatery will be offering drink specials and discounted food such as 60-cent wings. Magic Tree also will offer O-shaped pretzels, and “Brutus Dogs,” which are hot dogs wrapped in bacon, onions and mustard. Giveaways also will be handed out.
“We bring a pretty decent Ohio State crowd,” said Mercedes Campbell, assistant manager.
The nightlife downtown also is taking advantage of the national championship game.
On Phelps Street, Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts we’ll be offering two types of specialty hot dogs in conjunction with the game. The specialty hot dogs are based on the teams playing in the game, said Christian Rinehart, the owner of Suzie’s.
The “Buckeye Dog” will come with house-made peanut butter, chocolate chips and honey drizzle on top, said Bradley Miller, executive chef of Suzie’s.
The “Oregon Dog” will come with bacon-laced slaw, duck bacon and Sriracha hot sauce, he said.
Around the corner on West Federal Street, Martini Brothers Burger Bar will be offering 30-cent wings and special drink discounts.
“There will be giveaways of Ohio State apparel,” said Shawn Allen, Martini’s general manager.
Allen said the bar offers seven big-screen TVs for fans to enjoy the game.
Next door is V2 Wine Bar Trattoria that will do a buffet for $12 per person with tailgate foods such as pizza and wings. The bar also will offer drink specials.
Ed Moses, owner of V2, said he expects more than 100 to attend the event. “It should be a good night,” he said.