Start of college football is already impacting local businesses

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)— The college football season is underway, and that means some local businesses are as excited as the fans.

Those businesses are ready to serve up all the entertainment and specialties.

28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli checked in with a couple of those businesses and joins us now in the studio.

With Penn State and Notre Dame kicking off their seasons today, business is thriving. It found all eyes were on the big screens at a popular sports bar and a local pub.

As the Penn State Nittany Lions scored their fourth touchdown in their season opening win against West Virginia, Happy Valley Sports Bar felt a bit like having a seat in the stands.

“You still get the environment like you went down to the game and you’re with everyone at Penn State, but it’s close to home and a place for Penn Staters to get together and enjoy,” said Adam Yurkanim of Greenfield Township.

With the college football season kicking off, the Dickson City sports bar and restaurant enters its busiest time of the year, made even busier by a long, half-time weather delay.

“Business was really good today. It was a 10:30 a.m. arrival for most of our die hard fans waiting outside for us to open the door. The two hour delay, as you can see, they stayed with us,” stated Jason Mushow, Owner of Happy Valley sports bar.

The blue and white decked out restaurant is serving up specialties all season long to match Penn State’s opponent week to week.

On the menu Saturday? The Mountaineer burger.

Over at Crisnics Irish Pub in Wilkes-Barre, Notre Dame fans showed out for the Fighting Irish season opener against Texas A&M.

“Been coming here 10, 12 years basically the only place I like to come to,” commented Helene Quaglia of Duryea.

Saturday was Quaglia’s first night out since recovering from surgery after breaking her femur and wrist in June.

“I figured my first night out let’s see what Notre Dame will do,” said Quaglia.

Getting in the football spirit, these fans are ready for what the season has to offer and showing their support is going the extra yard for these businesses.

“Through and through we’re here till the end. It’s a great start to the season I know that much,” voiced Yurkanim.

And a great start for Mushow who plans on serving plenty of fans all season long.

“This is great. If I was able to do this, this is where I would be,” said Mushow.

Mushow tells me he has already lined up his specialty sandwich for next week’s Penn State game. It’s a Falcon burger — since the Nittany Lions are playing the Bowling Green Falcons.

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