Playoff Payoff: Business Brace for Packer 'Traffic'

Whether you're  the host or the guest for a playoff party to watch the Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers, Muskego businesses appear ready to set the table.

We poked around stores on Friday and found an array of ready-made fixins for eating, wearing and decorating, and retailers told us it'll all be scooped up before long.

"We treat this like a holiday, because really, it is," said Pick n Save store director Rich Seri. The store had several displays to make sure customers couldn't miss the Packer theme, or forget that there's a playoff game this weekend.

A similar selection of vittles was available at Piggly Wiggly, including 'cupcake cakes' with generous doses of green and gold frosting. Meat and cheese trays, veggie platters and ready-made taco dip trays also sported Packer logos, all designed to put customers in the spirit of the game.

Next door, Daily Dollar still had some Packer 'spirit' items in stock, including green and gold party favors and paper goods for the table like plates, napkins and cups.  

Even Leaves Floral is getting into the act. We found a great of pink and brown Packer drinking glasses (beer and wine), Redneck Tailgating Cups and Green and Gold $10 flower bouquets. On Saturday, anyone who stops in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. wearing Packer gear gets a FREE green and gold "PetalCake" while they last.

Pizza is also a big staple of the playoff picture, and Shan Mason, owner of the Papa Murphy's, said it's tough to prep for Packer games, as the pre-game generally means the hour before the game.

"To give you an idea, last week our Friday was a little quieter than normal, and we sold about 100 or so pizzas," Mason said. "On Saturday in the two hours before the game, we sold abou 350." 

Prep work is also tricky with fresh product, as only so much can be made 24 hours ahead of time, Mason added. "We end up having to tap into the next day's dough."

However, it's a stress he along with others are willing to endure as the Packers' season, and the sales that come along with it, won't last forever.

"It's a dramatic difference once the Packers no longer are playing," Mason said. "Business will just drop off, but in the meantime, we're enjoying it."