COVINGTON, Ky. — Cincinnati Bengal fans are getting fired up for their team to try to pull the upset in Super Bowl LVI this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
For many fans, it’s not enough to just cheer for the team – they’ve got to look the part, too.
What You Need To Know
- Pop-up shops with Bengals apparel are popping up all over Northern Kentucky
- Fans say the shops have been a reliable option for buying gear, as big stores have been selling out
- Locations in Northern Kentucky include West Fourth Street in Covington, Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell, and Buttermilk Pike in Crescent Springs among others
- The manager of one of the shops says he has to have a permit, and pay rent to the gas station he’s set up at
That’s getting a little tougher, though, as the game draws closer for fans that don’t already have their gear. Items are flying off the shelves as Bengal-mania sweeps over Northern Kentucky.
One reliable option, however, are pop-up shops that are springing up all over the region.
Whether it’s West Fourth Street in Covington, Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell, or Buttermilk Pike in Crescent Springs, fans can find a tent set up to buy Bengals gear. That’s a good thing, fans say, because the bigger stores have not been as reliable.
“I just left the pro shop. It’s so bare, and I called Koch Sporting Goods. They have nothing, like at all. Rally House, sold out. I’ve never seen this in all of my years. I’ve never seen this, but I love it,” said Bengals super-fan Amanda Penn.
Penn was already decked out head to toe in Bengals black and orange.
“I’ve been a Bengals fan since 83’, since I was born. My family was into it, so I’ve been born into it. My kids were born into it,” she said. “So I’m very ecstatic for this.”
She did still, however, have few things on her list to pick up before the big game.
“I did find a necklace that I think is cool,” she said outside the Covington pop-up shop. “This is gonna be the good luck necklace, yeah, and I have a tiger head, so I’m gonna wear them together.”
Setting up a shop like the one on West Fourth Street is nothing new for Randy Cox. Wherever big sporting events are happening around the country, he follows suit, setting up shops through Superiorland Concessions LLC. It was his first time in the Cincinnati region, though.
“Man, it’s been awesome. I’ve heard ‘Who Dey’ a couple hundred times. People are nice. I like it here,” he said. “What I say is support the little guy instead of these big mega corporations, you know? So these pop ups, it really helps us out when you come shop with us instead of Walmart or Dick’s.”
Setting up the shops requires a permit, and it Cox’ case, he has to pay rent to the gas station he’s sharing a parking lot with for everyday he’s there.
From the die hard fans, to those just along for the ride, there’s an item for everyone to feel like a part of something bigger.
As for the game itself, Penn gave her prediction: A Bengals win.
“I’m gonna say Bengals by three. And that’s a real big ‘Who Dey.’ ‘Who Dey!’ I’m loving this,” she said.
