People around here love their wings for real.
Around 20 of Buffalo Wild Wings' greatest local fans braved the cold night and pitched tents on the grass in front of Racine's newest eatery to guarantee their place in line for the restaurant's grand opening.
BW3 isn't one for run-of-the-mill ribbon cuttings, though. Instead, the restaurant opens an hour earlier than normal business hours and offers a free, weekly snack-size order of wings for a year to the first 100 visitors through the door.
"We do this at every opening," Regional Manager Jim Gleich confirmed. "It definitely gets people's attention."
Donna Cornelius, of Sturtevant, staked her claim at the front of the line at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. She said she was there for her son and his family.
"They had a baby on my birthday, and my son's birthday is next Saturday so I thought I would do this for them," she said.
Cornelius said she bundled up with multiple blankets, gloves, and ear muffs to get through the chilly night.
"It was worth it," she laughed. "We're excited they decided to build one here."
Todd Girmscheid was also one of first 100, and he, too, said he was really in line for someone else.
"I am here for my loving wife who loves Buffalo Wild Wings," he said. "She's at work so I got here at 2:30 a.m. to be sure she would get her free wings for a year."
While the first 100 customers in line were guaranteed the free coupon book, Gleich said the second 100 would be entered into a raffle for the chance to win one of five additional coupon books.
Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 5880 Durand Avenue, in front of Regency Mall. It is open seven days a week; from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. (262) 598-0960.
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