Students score free wings

College students started to show up throughout the afternoon on Sunday in the hopes of being one of the first 250 people in line to receive the one-time-only promotion of free wings for a year.

General Manager Merf Conley said the first 250 people in line would receive vouchers for six free wings a week for 52 weeks.

Sarah Knight, an early childhood education major, started the line at 1 p.m., Sunday.

"I just wanted to be the first in line," she said. "I love the wings and the beer, especially the sweet BBQ boneless wings," Knight said. To keep themselves busy throughout the night, Knight and her friends took turns going to the bar Out-R-Inn while some stayed back to keep their place in line.

Others in line found different ways to keep themselves busy for their 16 hour wait before the doors opened. Lindsey Moeller, a biology major, said she arrived at 5:30 p.m., Sunday prepared for the long haul with four of her friends.

"We came prepared rain or shine," Moeller said as one of her friends held up an umbrella. They also came equipped with playing cards and games like Twister and Jenga.

Moeller said, "What college kid wouldn't want one free meal a week?"

The line of students increased throughout the night. Most students took refuge on the front lawn of the University Baptist Church on Lane. Lawn chairs, recliners, tents and even couches lined the street.

Steve Crowe, an electrical engineering major, held his spot with friends on the front lawn of the church.

Crowe, who arrived at 7 p.m. Sunday, said he noticed the line slowed down once he got there.

"Hopefully I'll just get drunk and pass out so I don't have to stay up," he said.

Conley said the 250th person to get in line arrived around 1:30 a.m. Monday.

"The night and morning went off without a hitch," he Said. Conley said the police were there to help out Sunday night.

When the staff began to arrive around 8 a.m. Monday, they noticed how the night took its toll on the people in line.

"Everyone was pretty much still drunk from the night before," said Emily Thacker, a waitress at the new B-Dubs.

The opening went smoothly, Conley said. Conley, who has been with the business for seven years while running the old B-Dubs on High Street, was very excited when he opened the doors to the public around 9:30 a.m., Monday.

"This is our flagship location, and we expect to be one of the best," he said.

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Monday with founders Scott Lowery and Mark Lutz as well as CEO Sally Smith. All three, including Conley, cut the ribbon marking the biggest and most anticipated Buffalo Wild Wings opening to date.

Other events which took place on Monday were tournaments in corn hole and rock paper scissors. The Eric Dove Band also was set to perform.

"We have big plans for the entire week," Conley said, adding a Jim Tressel appearance is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.

For students not able to attend this grand opening, Conley said there are more events for the re-grand opening in the fall.

"We've got a huge secret for the second opening that we're not giving away just yet," he said.

Anthony Geraci can be reached at geraci.9@osu.edu.