Jake’s Toggery items inspired by the South

A Dayton-based retailer is bringing charming Southern culture up to Ohio.

Jake’s Toggery, owned and operated by Dayton-based Shops by Todd, has expanded to three locations in Ohio and continues tobring in major revenue, said founder and CEO Todd Bettman. Jake’s Toggery sells preppy clothing items for women and men, including brands like Vineyard Vines and Southern Marsh.

Bettmanwas inspiredby his time spent in the South — college at the University of Georgia, vacations at the beach and his son’s experiences at the University of Tennessee. He wanted to bring that Southern culture to the Midwest through the clothing sold at Jake’s.

“You have to enjoy and appreciate that culture — one of friendliness and adventure and activity. Some of it is beach life, lake life, university Greek life,” Bettman said. “We’re learning as we go, what brands costumers are looking for.”

Now, the brand is represented by the Bettmans’ newest member of the family — a golden doodle puppy named Jake.

Launched in2015, Jake’sToggery has locations at The Greene, the LibertyCenter in LibertyTwp. and Polaris Fashion Place inColumbus. The retailer is doing a soft launch of its e-commerce site during the holiday season, andwill also launch its ownclothing brand in mid-2018.

The location at The Greene is also getting a face-lift and moving to a retail space between theApple Store and Bath & Body Works.