By Orian Gaston, Special to the NavCo Chronicle
Custom T’s, a third generation, independently owned business, has been a jewel in our community since 1988. Doing business with them is like becoming part of their extended family. Shoppers, regulars, and vendors are greeted with a warm smile and an artistic touch. They strive to deliver the best designs in Corsicana. Over the past 35 years, they have continued to help Corsicana through its highs and lows.
Mrs. Becky Chandler originally began her business in the front of the window tinting business that she owned for years. She started designing t-shirts by hand. The layout process was tedious as she hand painted each shirt. It was the late 1980’s and this was a source of extra family income and fun.
Gary Chandler built a successful concrete business which was his main focus most of his career. Aside from family-time, Gary spent much of his free time restoring classic cars to their authentic beauty. The Chandler’s built a county-wide reputation for quality craftsmanship in all their businesses and hobbies. Soon, they had a calling for a more artistic route that would put their combined spatial designs to the test. In 1997, they bought a screen press to speed up production of the t-shirts.
The location has changed only once since the original business started in 1988. The first location was on Beaton street, downtown Corsicana and is now located at 1712 W. 2nd Avenue. From the startup on Beaton Street to the 2nd Avenue move, the new building, remains abuzz with traffic during sports season. Tyson Chandler, son of Gary and Becky Chandler, is the owner/graphic artist/head of production and the supervisor of all departments.
Custom T’s offers a wide variety of sizes and colors of T-shirts. It is astonishing how much grammar, spelling, science, and math are used to print and embroider. Additionally, their business carries jackets, hair bows, hats, spirit socks, baseball pants, dance wear and much, much more. They design t-shirts for all ages from newborn onesies to a 5X, in store. They are always able to order additional sizes, colors and quantities. It usually takes a day or two for the ordered stock to arrive. While general orders are ready in about 2 weeks, Custom T’s stays busy during all seasons. They make shirts for all sports, small businesses, schools and various clubs throughout Navarro County and Texas. Surprisingly, they have even shipped an order to Australia!
Custom T’s supports our military. Over the past years the business has promoted and helped with many organizations regarding veterans. They regularly send shirts to members of our military proudly serving in Japan. Custom T’s frequently conducts business with The Legion Riders motorcycle club. They sell caps that are able to be customized with a veterans service branch for a nominal price. When asked about the most patriotic item printed, Misty proudly recalled the 9/11 t-shirts they designed and gave away right after the 9/11 tragedy.
The Chandler’s have been involved in many ways with triumphs and tragedies in our county. They have continued their support of the local toys runs. They have designed and sold shirts or helped effected family members sell shirts at a minimal price to help rebuild their lives. They also have printed many T’s for fallen officer’s fundraisers and for the general public to purchase. In 2016, following the
passing of a local hero, D.A.R.T. Officer Brent Thompson, they designed a shirt in his honor to sell. They also worked with an anonymous donor to deliver shirts to our local Sherriff’s Department. Misty proudly delivered them herself.
They print tremendous amounts of Tee’s for field days and fundraisers ranging from 100-1,000 t-shirts. To fulfill these orders they use a embroidery machine and a printing press, which are both very high quality, as well as a screen printing machine. They keep their files for businesses for about 3 or 4 years if there has been activity with the file. Annual events are kept on file for about a year. You can also have them draw up a new design. They once assembled an order of 5,500 shirts!
Tyson and Misty Chandler, current owners of Custom T’s, when asked what makes you most proud of Custom T’s, Misty responded, “We are most proud of how we have been able to do it for so many years and still be going”. While interviewing them, the “how” was apparent. Phones rang, new and loyal customers stopped in to pick up and order merchandise. They really are more than just a t-shirt shop. Custom T’s is the extended family of Corsicanans, they are where we turn to buy shirts to raise funding during our setbacks and where we buy the representation of our victories!
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