Ohio businesses are crossing out M's on signs in preparation for Michigan-Ohio State

Tents were popping up around the Ohio State University campus already Tuesday, and people were preparing for the upcoming football game against the University of Michigan.

Ohio State fans have crossed out almost every letter ‘m’ in the surrounding area, including on accessible parking signs, on store signage and on emergency blue light boxes — which include the word ‘medical.' Restaurants like Panera Bread put an ‘X’ over the 'm' in Michigan on its marquee sign out front.

Anti-Michigan phrases could also be seen in storefronts that read “Beat Xichigan” and on Instagram, Clothing Underground posted shirts that read “Jesus Hates Michigan.” One store, called College Traditions, sells toilet paper with a Michigan football on every sheet.

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Band members could be seen walking near the campus stadium Tuesday afternoon, but campus was pretty quiet at the time. Most students were walking to class or studying inside coffee shops and restaurants. But the beer pong tables were set up and ready to go outside of many houses.

Overall, the rivalry between the two universities is very present on both campuses, and it seemed like the Ohio State fans were about to have some fun before the sun rises Saturday morning.

Here’s what the scene looks like in Columbus and some activities one could partake in Saturday:

The partying starts at 5 a.m.

The Library Bar, located at 2169 N. High Street, expects to have a line before doors open at 5:15 a.m. Saturday. When walking into the bar, visitors will see a digital clock that is counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the football game.

To start the festivities, former Ohio State football star Cardale Jones — the team’s quarterback at the time the university won its most recent national championship in 2014 — will do a shotgun toast at 6 a.m. Everyone will raise their beers to start the day, and then the party will continue until 2:30 a.m. Sunday featuring three different DJs. There will also be a food truck that sells breakfast burritos.

“For the first 100 people that come through the door starting at 5:15 a.m., it's a $10 cover, but they’re gonna get an Ohio State-Michigan T-shirt, and then a souvenir cup comes with that, as well,” said Lonnie Kubankin, co-owner of the bar. “And they get to meet Cardale Jones, do the toast and all that stuff.”

Kubankin and two partners have owned the campus dive since 2020, and since the last home game against Michigan was canceled because of the pandemic, this will be his bar’s first time being able to host the rivalry crowd. A typical game day sees about 300 people wall-to-wall from open to close.

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“We've been planning this particular game, the team up north game, all year,” said Kubankin. In case of possible rain, the bar purchased a large tent outdoors so the celebration can continue. There will be TVs in the tent and the outdoor bar will be fully operational.

Another business called The Little Bar, located at 2195 N High St., set up a large tent outside of its business. Kubankin said it can probably hold up to 1,000 people.

Varsity Club Restaurant & Bar, a legendary hotspot at 278 W. Lane Ave., expects to host its usual game day activities. It will open at 7 a.m. and expects to have live bands starting at 9 a.m. It will also have a DJ on the patio and food trucks in addition to its own restaurant.

A sort of wholesome rivalry

Madison Chiarini, a junior studying hospitality management, and Molly Bingham, a junior studying communications, both work at Around the Block. It’s a clothing store with a focus on making college apparel more affordable for students.

When asked where people typically hang out on game days, Chiarini and Bingham said in unison: “High Street.”

“We go to student tailgates, but this weekend, it'll be (ESPN's) 'College GameDay,'” Chiarini said. “That’s a lot of fun. Especially because my parents will be here. So I’ll spend some time with them there and then go to the student stuff.”

Thursdays and Fridays tend to be the busiest days for the store leading up to games, said Isaac Chastain, general manager of Around the Block. This time of year, people are purchasing coats, hats and gloves.

Around the Block is an upselling and thrifting store, where it provides single moms and students an opportunity to thrift to earn money. The store buys the clothes from its thrifters and sells them. There is also a seamstress in-store who makes customized outfits and tailors clothing. The store just opened in August.

Chastain said by contributing to upselling, it helps the collective effort of upsellers to keep about 10,000 pounds of clothing out of landfills each year. The store also has a program called Tailgate 365.

“If you're outside homeless, like you're tailgating 365 days a year, then you deserve to be dressed like the greatest fans on Earth,” Chastain said. “So we’ll give you free Ohio State sweatshirts, coats and stuff like that just to keep you warm. But more importantly, when we do that, we offer you mental health help. So we offer you a business card or help them do a program. It's not even really about the clothes, it's about making a connection with somebody.”

The store has a wholesome business sense, but that doesn't keep it from anti-Michigan banter.

When walking up to the store, customers will see a photo of Barstool Sports owner and internet celebrity Dave Portnoy holding up an Ohio State shirt. Portnoy is known for being a Michigan fan, and because of that, Chastain said the photo is there to let him know that, “He’s welcome to switch teams and be on our team if he wants to. Come to the light side.”

There is also a game where customers have an opportunity to throw a dart at a Michigan Wolverine, and if the dart hits the wolverine, customers will receive 5% off of their purchase.

Lastly,there is a sign on the counter that reads "Buck off Michigan, Ohio or Die." The store is standing by the rivalry and has hopes to expand its business to opening a location near every BIG 10 school except Michigan.

Other businesses join in

Customers have been purchasing their university apparel and accessories for the big game from College Traditions since Sunday, said Kelly Dawes, the owner of the retail store. The store, located at 286 W. Lane Ave., has over 2,500 items that cover the space from wall to wall. It has been operating since 1984.

The store plans to set up tables out front and it is expected to be packed with shoppers.

“Home football weekends are like Christmas for us,” Dawes said. “We have to be on. We have to be stocked. We have to have lots of staff in place to work and be able to get us through the rushes. The big one is always Michigan.”

The store has three rivalry shirts that use the phrases “Beat TTUN,” which stands for ‘The Team Up North,’ and “Beat Xichigan.”

“We want it to be a Buckeye experience for people — not just to come in and buy stuff and shop — we want them to just feel the excitement of Ohio State,” Dawes said.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football vs Ohio State: Businesses prep for big game