How many times have you sat around with your friends and a great idea came up in conversation, and the next thing someone says is, "That should be on a t-shirt?"
For Lance Hill, Byron Pettigrew and Brad Kula of Traverse City, they didn't stop at the idea, but went right ahead and made the t-shirt, and a lot more.
The result is
High Five Threads, which just opened a retail store in the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and offers shirts and other apparel, all with a northwest Michigan twist, like the Deuce Thirty-One (from the local area code) design. One of the most popular items so far has been ice cube trays that make ice cubes in the shape of the two peninsulas of Michigan.
The friends and business partners already owned a marketing and design firm together, so High Five Threads was a natural extension.
"We had an idea for one t-shirt, the Deuce Thirty-One design, and thought we would just start a little website and it would be a side project. We happened upon a retail space and decided to expand our idea beyond the one shirt," says Hill. "Eight weeks later we are already looking to expand our space and work with several retailers across the state of Michigan."
They are keeping the work local, designing and printing everything in Traverse City.
"We are Michigan guys through and through. We love our state and support all things local here in Michigan. Small businesses across the state are doing awesome things and we are glad to be a part of the movement," Hill says.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Lance Hill, High Five Threads
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