Downtown Columbia businesses expect large crowds, increase security for Mizzou’s season opener
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Tigers will face Murray State in its season opener on Thursday, which has some local businesses preparing for large crowds.
On Wednesday, MU Athletics announced it had achieved its goal of extending its sellout streak to six straight games at Faurot Field. While many will be inside the stadium, others will flock to the Downtown area on Game Day.
The 50 Yard Line Sports Bar and Grill -- a bar located at 807 East Walnut Street that opened in April-- is expecting to be busy on Thursday. Bartender Eden Stephens said while it'll be the bar's first time operating during a football season, she feels the business is prepared for what's to come.
"(We're) anticipating a big crowd for tomorrow, with it being our first season of football that's open," Stephens said. "We're gearing up by adding extra staff, adding extra security as well as ramping up our food orders in anticipation for a lot of appetizers."
Bar Manager Kylum Harper said the business plans to double the amount of staff on Thursday than the bar would typically have on a weekday.
Harper said the business will work with security it has hired to ensure those who choose to spend time there are safe. He said the security check will include a bag check, as well as a security wand that checks for weapons.
"The males are patted down and then the women are wanded down there," Harper said. "Bags are checked and make sure anything...no bottles, no guns, nothing, even pepper spray checks to make sure it's not in there. So that way just in case anything happens, those are confiscated."
Owner of MyHouse Sports Bar and Nightclub Dan Rader said his business is also expecting a large crowd on Thursday.
In a statement sent to ABC 17 News via text message, Rader said the business recently partnered with Mizzou Athletics to be the official watch party location for all sports. For that reason, Rader said they plan to increase security.
"Last year was a record setting football season for us, and we are expecting an even bigger season this fall because of all of the excitement leading into the season," the statement reads. "We've doubled our normal security for tomorrow in anticipation of large crowds. We are using metal detectors on every customer out of an abundance of caution because we want to ensure peace of mind for all patrons downtown."
University spokesman Christopher Ave said via statement to ABC 17 News that the University of Missouri Police Department is collaborating with the Columbia Police Department and other agencies for Thursday's game.
"For our football games, including our sold-out home opener Thursday night, the University of Missouri Police Department collaborates with the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Columbia Police Department, the Columbia Fire Department, the FBI and Boone County authorities to do everything possible to ensure that our campus community and guests enjoy a safe experience," the statement reads. "We have met several times with all parties involved leading up to our first home game, and we will continue to collaborate all season."
