Bears NFC Championship Game Generates Local Business

Winnebago County, IL - Super Bowl dreams are translating into big bucks for local businesses. The Bears game was turned on at Sports & More at Cherry Vale Mall as customers poured in to buy team merchandise. The most popular Bears jerseys sold were Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester. Reggie Bushs jersey was also a big seller thanks to angry Green Bay Packer fans. "I`ve been selling all my Bears jerseys because everybody`s coming in buying a jersey," says Don Willis, owner of Sports & More. "Even today, they were buying jerseys last minute, going to the parties or wherever they were going." Willis started the business in 1985, the last time the Bears were in the Super Bowl. He has high expectations for memorabilia sales the second time around. "Its going to just go through the roof," says Willis. "Because with the White Sox, I got a taste of that, and it`s going to be better than that." Sports bars, like Cousins Bar and Grill, are riding the Bears wave as well. Managers say their playoff Sundays are seeing above-average profits compared to any other given day of the week. "Were getting a full-house every Sunday for a good six, seven hours," says Eric Hendershot, Bar Manager at Cousins. "People come in early and try to get a seat." Hendershot says to expect bars to host big parties come Super Bowl Sunday. NFC Championship locker room shirts and hoodies will be available at Sports & More at 1 p.m. on Monday.