GRETNA, La. -- At Bonza Graphics in Gretna, the machines that print up T-shirts are working overtime-- and so is the company's owner, Todd Robinson.
"Economics is economics," he said. "You need excitement to get it going."
The excitement is there, in the wake of the Saints weekend win over the Arizona Cardinals. Robinson is printing more "Domeland Defense" shirts, on behalf of linebacker Jonathan Vilma. It is the kind of order that can make or break the company's bottom line.
"We're going through some difficulties, just like anybody else right now. The banks aren't loaning money, so you need things like this to help pick you up," Robinson said. "Hopefully, it will take off and help us pay some of these bills that we got behind on through a really, really rough summer."
Since the summer, Robinson's business has been off by nearly 40 percent. However, he's now looking to make up that deficit, as the Saints march into the NFC Championship game this weekend.
"As long as there is this craze that the Saints are giving us, then the sky's the limit," he said. "I'm sure the retailers are as thrilled as i am."
That includes retailers like Skip 'N Whistle on Oak Street.
"It's been great for business and it's really exciting for the city," said Katie Mozier of Skip 'N Whistle.
Saints merchandise and shirts at the store are flying off the shelves and heading out for delivery -- some are even going to other states.
"We had orders from Missouri and Kansas, phoning in, and we'll mail it to them. It's been nuts; it's been really crazy," Mozier said. "We're constantly reprinting, like all the time. We're having to reprint shirts every day."
Pam Cusimano was one of the customers looking for Saints gear on Monday. She is looking to outfit her family in time for this weekend's game.
"It's actually such a great family bonding moment. We have get togethers and parties," Cusimano said. "That's actually what my goal was today, was try to buy some Saints t-shirts we could wear to the game. I think we're going to try and go to the game fingers crossed; hope it comes through."
Saints fans are also keeping their fingers crossed for this weekend, as are some other printing companies, who are preparing to print up Saints shirts proclaiming the team "NFC Champions"-- once Sunday's game is over.
