NEW ORLEANS - Not only is Miami experiencing Saintsmania, it can also be felt right here in New Orleans and nowhere was that more evident than at the city's main Post Office on Loyola Avenue.
Officials estimate, at one point, 700 people packed the Post Office and formed a line out the front door Thursday morning as folks were trying to get a limited edition, Super Bowl commemorative envelope.
It’s never easy being on the outside looking in. But when it comes to Saints Super Bowl memoribila, these Who Dats say it’s worth the wait.
"Only hour and half," Michael Maples, of Lakeview, said he had to wait
Lewis, like many, said it was worth getting wet when you consider just how long they've been waiting for this to happen.
“Finally, what else is there to say,” said Jason Pippenger, of Lakeview. “Finally it happened, and it’s Saintsmania everywhere.”
Oscar Jones of Algiers got the first set of envelopes. He got here at 4 a.m. “I’m Saints fan here to support the city of New Orleans. We are going to bring the Super Bowl back, you heard! We are going to bring the Super Bowl back!”
And the crowd didn't disagree.
“We are going to win. The Who Dat Nation is going all the way," said Elizabeth Johnson, of Uptown.
And while the two-hour wait time for those who got here at 7 a.m. was a little rough, It was all to get their hands on a piece of history.
“Thank you so much, I'm so excited," said Vanessa Kynard of Westwego after getting her envelopes.
"Since I can’t go to the Super Bowl, the Saints are in my heart, I needed something to hold in my hand, something that I would always be able to treasure and this is it this is it."
"A souvenir to show the kids and grandchildren the first Super Bowl the Saints been in 43 years," said Andrew Cavalier, of Marrero.
The Post Office expected a crowd, but nothing like this , and not every customer was happy when the limit changed from five to two per customer.
But officials say they are asking for more.
"It looks like New Orleans will end up getting the bulk,” said Post Office spokeswoman Sharon Varnado. “We love Indianapolis, we love Miami, but we got some Who Dat fans here."
And those fans will be right back here if, or should I say, when the Saints win the Super Bowl.
“You can bet on that, I will be right here in this line, just like I am right now,” said Patricia Deffes of Pearl River.
The envelopes went on sale at 7 a.m. and by 10 a.m., the collector's items were sold out. Officials say they are expecting another shipment, but the bulk of those will go towards filling the rest of today's orders.
The Post Office is hoping to get more envelopes from Indianapolis and Miami.
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