Pens fans enjoy spending spree

By charles grove

cgrove@vindy.com

boardman

Pittsburgh Penguins fans were out shopping Monday looking for Stanley Cup Championship gear, and retailers are holding their breaths for big numbers throughout the week.

Dick’s Sporting Goods had a large display at the front of the store including official hats and multiple styles of t-shirts. A steady stream of customers were picking out their favorites.

“I had to come out and get stuff for my son, daughter and myself,” Brooke Ligo of New Castle, Pa., said. “We were up all night watching and it was so nerve-wracking. I felt like chomping on aspirin throughout the game.”

Ligo was picking out t-shirts for herself and her two children. They plan to wear them at Wednesday’s victory parade in Pittsburgh.

“It’ll be nuts but great,” Ligo said. “I’m prepared for traffic but I won’t be complaining at all.”

Brian Dwyer, along with his wife, Seari, and son Owen, was also picking up gear.

“This is the first time the kids were old enough to really understand what a championship means,” Dwyer said. “We were high-fiving and having a good time last night. Even the dogs got excited and were having fun.”

The family was so glued to the playoffs that not even a vacation or wedding could stop them from following along.

“We went down to Ocean City [Md.} and we were trying to figure out how to watch but we found a Pittsburgh bar,” Seari Dwyer said.

Her husband added: “I was streaming the game from my phone at a wedding and had people lined up over my shoulder trying to watch.”

JCPenney in the Southern Park Mall had championship apparel, but other stores have shipments coming soon.

“We preordered a month in advance just in case the Penguins won,” Stephanie Mansour, President of Touchdown Gifts, said. “We should have headgear and t-shirts this week along with drinkware, banners and even Christmas ornaments.”

If Penguins hats sell like Cavaliers hats did after the NBA Conference Finals, Lids may sell out quickly.

“The Cavs stuff sold out in an hour,” Korri Maynard of Girard said. “We should have Pens stuff [today].”