Local businesses prepare for Cotton Bowl crowds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State Buckeye fans don’t let distance stop them from cheering on their team. They won't let the snowy weather stop them either.

Businesses around town have been prepping for Ohio State crowds all Friday. Businesses said they are ready for the game day crowds and to keep going with what has been a great football season for them.

“It's Columbus, it’s OSU, nobody is stopping for the snow,” Deja Johnson, a bartender at Zenos, said.

Leading up to the game, Columbus bars were stocked up on product and decorated in scarlet and grey.

“On game days, it's insane,” Johnson said.

People started to pour into Zenos in Victorian Village around 4 p.m. Friday to claim their spots for the big game. Johnson said this year, every game day has been shoulder to shoulder at the bar. 

“Everybody said it was snowing, but I don't think it's going to stop anybody from coming in. So I'm pretty sure it is. It's OSU vs. Texas. So it's going to be pretty busy," Johnson said.

For those who do not want to brave a crowd, local movie theaters, including some Cinemark locations and the theater at Lennox Town Center, will be playing the game on the big screen. A manager at Lennox said they pre-sold several dozen tickets to Friday night's showing. 

Over at Pint House in the Short North, they have food specials, beer specials and a special celebration.

“We like to cheer with the crowd and we like to have our little confetti cannons that we shoot out as well to help engage everybody. So we try to make it as lively as possible,” said manager Vincent Tata.

Tata said Ohio State's run to the championship has also been helpful for business.

“The staff have been very happy about that, always have been to have more people in here, both for the camaraderie and for the money. We are busy at the end of the day, but we do like to have good vibes here,” Tata said.

The message businesses want to share is to come out, have fun and be safe. Everyone we spoke with has high hopes for Friday's game. They think if the Buckeyes play like they have in the last two games, it's going to be a great night.