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Steelerless game can hurt sales

While beer sales might be down, local restaurants, bars expect to be busy

Mirror photo by J.D. Cavrich / Mark Bates, owner of Fat Daddy’s BBQ Shak, mixes up a batch of his barbecue sauce at the 200 Pleasant Valley Blvd. eatery on Wednesday.

American consumers will spend an average of $75 for a total of $14.1 billion as an estimated 188.5 million watch the Atlanta Falcons face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI today, according to the National Retail Federa­tion’s annual Super Bowl Spending Survey.

“With the holidays past us, consumers are looking forward to spending time with friends and family for some good old-fashioned fun to celebrate the big game,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement. “Retailers will help fans prepare by making sure they are well stocked on decorations, party food, accessories and other Super Bowl necessities.”

Of the 76 percent of those surveyed who plan to watch the game, 80 percent say they will purchase food and beverages, 11 percent will buy team apparel or accessories and 8 percent will splurge on new televisions to watch the game at home.

Local businesses would likely fare much better if the Pittsburgh Steelers had made it to the Super Bowl.

“There is no doubt about it, when they are playing, we get more people,” said Mark Bates, owner of Fat Daddy’s BBQ Shak at 200 Pleasant Valley Blvd.

“I still expect to sell a lot of food, both take out and in house. Without the Steelers, it cuts business 30 to 40 percent. When the Steelers are in, our sales are way up,” he said.

The lack of the Steelers shouldn’t have much impact on business at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 1211 11th St.

“People watch the Super Bowl for the commercials if they are not following a particular team. It is a ritual, if your team is in it or not. I don’t think it will affect us much. We will be busy,” said manager Stephanie Trude.

But a Steelerless Super Bowl can hurt local beer sales.

“People like it when the Steelers are in the game. Now it will be just like any other game. Sales will be down. I would say sales will be off about 20 percent than if the Steelers were in the game,” said Kevin Stewart, owner of Star Beverage, 200 Chestnut Ave.

Jake Denis, general manager at City Beverage, 525 E. Sixth Ave., agrees.

“If the Steelers were in the Super Bowl, I would see a 15-20 percent increase in sales for that weekend,” he said.

“The fact that it is the Super Bowl, I will see about a 10-percent increase versus the normal for this time of the year. It definitely has an impact. For the two weeks they were in the playoffs, we had a significant spike in our sales,” Denis said.

Another distributor said the drop in sales without the Steelers is “not as drastic as you think.”

“It will slow down; sales may be up a little bit if the Steelers are in it. People think we live and die with the Steelers but it is still the Super Bowl, and people will still drink and watch it,” said Dave Galbraith, sales manager at Blair County Beverage, 1311 Blair St., Hollidaysburg.

Business would be better for Hibbett Sports in the Logan Valley Mall if the Steelers were playing.

“When the Steelers were in the playoffs, we were selling, selling selling. Now it has come to a halt. People are asking for Patriots and Falcons items. We tried to get some stuff, but Hibbett doesn’t carry the two teams in this area,” said Matt Judd, assistant manager.

Years ago, local TV sales picked up when the Steelers played in the Super Bowl.

“When HD first came out, that made more of a difference. We did see an impact then,” said Matt Muccitelli, vice president of sales at Park Home, 2134 Plank Road.

“Stores in general are busier when the Steelers are not playing. For sales, we don’t see much change one way or the other,” he said.

Business will likely be a bit slower today at Zach’s Sports & Spirits, 5820 Sixth Ave., said owner Tony Pacifico.

“When the Steelers are in the Super Bowl, we are slower. With the Super Bowl, there are a lot of home parties. We will have a busy Super Bowl. We will be full, but it will be nothing crazy,” Pacifico said.

Pittsburgh-based Primanti Bros., 2550 Plank Road Commons, expects to be busy — Steelers or no Steelers.

“We are a sports bar. We support all of the teams. We expect to be very busy on Sunday. We are Steelers fans, but our Sunday will still be super busy. I can’t imagine it will be slow,” said Jessica Radcliffe, general manager.

Even without the Steelers in the game, Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle expects to be busy.

“While it is unfortunate that the Steelers are not playing in this weekend’s big game, the Super Bowl remains a unique annual event that gives folks a reason to celebrate with good friends and great food. We expect our Altoona-area supermarkets to be busy,” said spokesman Dick Roberts.

Many area football fans will be enjoying a chicken barbecue dinner in Bellwood. The Bellwood-Antis Community Picnic has sold 1,200 chicken dinners and an additional 900 pounds of Murph’s potato salad, said Sue Johnson, event chairwoman.

Johnson said sales are typically higher when the Steelers are not in the Super Bowl.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

 

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