The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
LCCC bookstore partners with local companies
Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria, has teamed with Fresh Brewed Tees to bring its Cleveland-focused T-shirts to the college bookstore, Commodore Books & More.
The specialty clothing focuses on Cleveland sports teams and celebrates the local community.
Lorain native Tony Madalone, owner of Fresh Brewed Tees, said he is looking forward to the partnership.
“It’s exciting to be able to partner with a school local to where I’m from,” Madalone said.
As a student in Elyria growing up, he said he played in a basketball camp in the field house at LCCC.
Madalone, an entrepreneur who has owned the business for eight years, said he is proud to keep it local.
The bookstore is the only place in Lorain County where customers can buy his products, he said.
“I’m happy to see local support local,” Madalone said.
His products are showcased as part of a new section in the bookstore.
“We’re in the process of creating a new ‘Locally Focused’ section of the store promoting locally made items,” said Patty Clark, general manager at Commodore Books & More. “In the future, we plan to collaborate with a number of local vendors to offer an assortment of merchandise and gifts.”
The initiative ties into LCCC’s vision by promoting local entrepreneurs’ merchandise, Clark said.
“After the Cleveland Indians won the division, we started researching local vendors that sell Indians apparel to ask if they would allow us to carry their brand in the store,” she said. “That’s how Fresh Brewed Tees became the first company in this new initiative.”
In the future, the bookstore will partner with NEO Launch Net in promoting local entrepreneurs’ products in the bookstore.
“We want to tie this new strategic direction into LCCC’s Vision 2020’s goal to empower a thriving community where all students achieve academic and career success,” Clark said.
The bookstore also will soon merchandise clothing from GV Art & Design, another well-known established Cleveland-based company, in the “Locally Focused” section.
In addition to Ohio-centric goods, Clark said the bookstore is proud to offer many products including clothing featuring the Ohio four-year colleges that LCCC has established academic partnerships with.
“These items make great graduation and holiday gifts,” she said.
“It’s exciting to be able to partner with a school local to where I’m from.”
— Tony Madalone, owner of Fresh Brewed Tees