Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sports Room sale round two? Owner looks for possible interest

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Would you be interested in a second-round sale of Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sports Room memorabilia? That's what Orlando Itin wants to know.

Itin, co-owner of Bruno's pizza, said after his family announced the closure of the beloved Purdue University landmark restaurant, he was overwhelmed by the excitement and turn out for his large sports memorabilia sale held just a few weeks after, offering collectors and fans a chance to snag a piece of history formerly displayed.

But Itin said he still has quite a bit of sports memorabilia remaining, leading him to float the idea of a second sale in the early hours of Thursday morning via a Facebook post.

"I was up watching TV, and I just threw the idea out there to see what kind of feedback I'd get," Itin said. "Looking ahead to the double header in April with Purdue baseball and the spring football game, it got me thinking. I don't know if that weekend would be too busy, but I have some ideas of what we could do."

Knowing how many sports fans will be in town for the April 13 games, Itin said, he felt like it could be a prime time to host a second sale, one that will feature sports programs, ticket stubs and lots of jerseys from Purdue athletes during their college days as well as when they went pro. The first sale was a big success, Itin said, with sports fans lining up outside the restaurant in advance of the Feb. 22 sale, so much so that he and his team of "security," which Itin explained were friends of his who volunteered to man the door, allowed customers to come in a bit early and out of the cold.

"A lot of stuff that was signed to Bruno's, like the mini helmets, sold, and I think a lot of people were just looking for a piece of that history to hold onto. The stuff signed to 'Big O' seemed to sell less," Itin said. "I was overwhelmed, but it was fun to see people getting to add stuff to their man caves. Everyone collects something, and for me, collecting sports memorabilia was a stress reliever."

A stress reliever that found its way back into his work, Itin said his sports display began as a small display case inside the restaurant, where he said he dreamed of turning an entire room into his collection display. That dream blossomed into the Big O's Sports Room, known for a vast amount of historic sports memorabilia, including signed jerseys, autographs, footballs and championship rings.

Although the restaurant is now void of any memorabilia, and the restaurant equipment is currently up for auction, Itin said, he still has managed to maintain his morning routine with friends, stopping at the restaurant in the mornings to talk sports over a cup of coffee.

"A few buddies of mine come and hang out like it's a barber shop," he said. "But now we have to finish up everything else."

Seeing how much fans of Bruno's, as well as of Purdue sports, enjoyed his first sale, Itin said he wonders if fans would even be interested in a second sale, one which he hopes to utilize in promoting his upcoming Railsplitter Authentics Tippecanoe Sports Collectibles Show to be held on Aug. 24 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds.

Ideally, Itin said he would like to see a second sale take place sometime in April or May, though he knows how busy a time of year those weekends can be.

"I don't know if we can duplicate a sale like we had before, though there will be just as much memorabilia for sale as the last one. I've considered April 14, though I know Sundays tend to be a family day, but I am open to suggestions. I'll also have to find a new location to host the sale since the restaurant will be gone by then."

Until he decides on a second sale, Itin said, fans should stay tuned.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached by email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Bruno's Pizza and Big O's Sports Room sale round two pondered by owner