As the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers get ready to square off Sunday in Super Bowl XLV, we geared up for the gridiron showdown by asking a heavyweight footwear retailer in each city to reveal his best-selling brands, the buzz around town and game-day predictions. —Audrey Goodson
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Packers Country
Rogan’s Shoes
Midwestern chain Rogan’s Shoes boasts 32 locations in four states, including two in Green Bay. Mike Loch, store manager of the Green Bay East location for more than 19 years, says his wide array of family footwear brands scores a touchdown with shoppers: “You name any brand, we pretty much carry it,” he says.
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Super-selling brands: Uggs, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Under Armour, K-Swiss, Born and Merrell.
Describe the atmosphere in town. It’s been insane. It’s crazy. Every other person I see is wearing a Packers shirt. Everybody is pretty upbeat and in a good mood. We’re looking forward to Sunday—it’s been a long two weeks.
Are you running any Super Bowl promotions? Nothing for the Super Bowl, but we’ve got a whole bunch a stuff 30- or 40-percent off right now.
Super Bowl prediction: The Packers are going to win, of course.
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Steel City
Littles Shoes
There’s nothing small about Littles Shoes: The 20,000-square-foot Pittsburgh behemoth is the largest full-service family shoe store in the city. General Manager Rocco Procida is quick to note that the hometown team boasts the most Super Bowl championships.
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Super-selling brands: Ugg, Munro, Merrell, New Balance, Ecco and Sorel.
Describe the atmosphere in town. It’s pretty crazy; all people talk about here is football. The atmosphere is very positive, and it’s all about the Steelers. That’s what’s Pittsburgh is like this time of year.
Are you running any Super Bowl promotions? No, but we sell [Steelers] merchandise in the store. Last week we got in all the AFC Championship shirts and sweatshirts, and it’s been a nice sales boost. We’ve also got our regular sale.
Super Bowl prediction: What do you think I’m going to say? If I said Pittsburgh wasn’t going to win, all my friends would be all over me in the shoe business—and I’ve got a lot of friends. I think it’s going to be Pittsburgh 31-21.
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