From viral T-shirts to custom cocktails, New Orleans businesses get creative for LSU-Ole Miss

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Local shops and bars are getting creative to capitalize on Saturday’s showdown between LSU and Ole Miss, as clever merchandise and custom drinks fly off shelves and onto menus.

At Fleurty Girl, founder Lauren Haydel said the boutique’s specialty is speaking in T-shirts, and the latest conversation centers on Lane Kiffin and his LSU Tigers.

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Haydel said, “We’ve got LSU on our front table for the first time in a long time because we’ve been a Saints store. But this year, we’re super excited about LSU so we’ve got our purple and gold right there front and center.”

Alongside socks, buttons, earrings and bedazzled blazers, Haydel said the hottest item is a viral T-shirt mocking Ole Miss’ traditional “Hotty Toddy” cheer.

“It all started because this guy made this shirt that said this and he put it on Facebook and everybody wanted one,” Haydel said. “He just made it at home. He never intended to sell it. So, people kept tagging me, and so I reached out to him and he said, ‘Yeah, take it, print it. I don’t want anything,’ so we did and it’s gone kind of viral.”

At the Purple Tiger in Metairie, manager Amanda Blaum said customers are arriving in droves ahead of kickoff.

“People are coming in looking for anything and everything LSU ... Coming off of a slower summer, game day really helps give us a boost going into the holiday season,” Blaum said.

Hospitality venues also anticipate a major lift because the Tigers are playing on the road. The Bulldog in New Orleans expects large watch-party crowds Saturday.

Jessica Hannan, catering manager at The Bulldog, said, “Summer’s dead for the hospitality industry. We rely heavily on our gamedays ... We’ve really been missing football season, so we are really looking forward to Saturday.”

The Bulldog plans to debut a custom cocktail during the game called the “Spicy Mike,” a mango margarita with a kick. Hannan said the bar will keep the drink on the menu as long as Tigers fans keep showing up to cheer on LSU.

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