For at least 48 hours it was all over social media: Governor Andrew Cuomo answering a question about what constitutes "substantive food," under COVID-19-related guidelines for bars and restaurants, and appeared to leave chicken wings out. 

The resulting controversy caught the attention of a budding businessman.

"Are you kidding? Chicken wings are a meal. Come to Buffalo, New York — they're a meal,” said David Willert.

In that moment, David Willert saw an opportunity to unite Buffalonians on an issue that crosses political divisions. So he created Buffalo Thread Wear, and with the help of a designer came up with a t-shirt with a response to the governor. 

The front of the shirt says, “Chicken Wings Are A Meal!” and the back “One Thing We Can All Agree On, Sincerely, Buffalo NY.” 

A spokesperson later clarified the governor's position: you can order alcohol with chicken wings because they did qualify as substantive food.

Regardless of what Gov. Cuomo meant, Willert sees the slogan something everyone in Western New York can get behind.

"So when we heard Duff's chicken wings was sending out an invitation to Governor Cuomo to come eat a meal, we thought that was fantastic. And we actually had this project in the works prior to that, so one of the photos we have on our website that we've taken and put on our social media shows how we're mailing this week a t-shirt to Governor Cuomo and Governor Newsome in California. They probably won't wear them, but we thought it could be a nice chuckle that they could have over the issue that we believe that chicken wings absolutely are a meal,” said Willert.

The shirt can be found online here. A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the International Justice Mission in the fight against human and sex trafficking.