HERSHEY, Pa. — With the best record in the AHL, things are looking good in Hershey.
And to look good is to feel good, which can also extend to the fans of the Bears.
"It can be super challenging because we have a really strong season ticket holder fan base," said Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Buyer Hollyn Galbraith. Gailbraith is in charge of finding the items that fans can buy in the team's store at the Giant Center. "We're constantly doing our research and trying to stay on top of trends and seeing what's hot in the market."
Right up there with loving Chocolatetown's team, is a passion for wearing things that show off just how much they love Chocolatetown's team.
Player and team-issued items are always in demand by sports fans. And something new in Hershey is not only good for the Bears but also good for the globe.
"We came across Refried Apparel and were really drawn to the uniqueness that the brand provides and their focus on sustainability, which was really interesting to us because it aligns with our company's efforts to reuse and recycle," added Galbraith.
Ironically enough, Refried Apparel started with hockey.
"My wife started the company," recalled Refried Apparel's Mark Litos. "She was looking to make some clothes for herself that were comfortable. We don't like throwing stuff away, so she had this cute little skirt on while we're going to the beach I said, 'Is that my Bruins shirt?' and she said, 'Yeah, it had holes,' and I said, 'My lucky shirt!'"
Fast forward to today and Refried Apparel has deals with NFL and MLB teams, as well as the Bears' NHL affiliate Washington Capitals.
Unsold clothes, materials, and jerseys of traded players that used to be sent to landfills are instead upcycled and stitched into one-of-a-kind items.
"The laundry bags are each player issued. You'll capture some of the players' numbers there and the sock as well. So each piece is different and cool and you have to shop it in the store to actually capture how unique and different each piece is," said Galbraith.
And just in case the words 'hockey player laundry bag' scare you, that infamous post-practice and post-game smell has been taken care of.
"We have a great partner right down the street who has a 100% natural ozone process," Litos said. "They sanitize and clean it. So, we send it to them. Hershey sent a bunch of stuff to us. Hockey pants and hockey socks, which we loved by the way. We love mixed materials. It adds that upcycle appeal."
It's a brand and an effort that's growing.
"The fans that already know the brand and can understand their mission about sustainability have really been drawn toward it and love it and it's been really fun having the opportunity to share with those who don't quite know about the brand yet," adds Galbraith.
"This is good," states Litos. "With other upcycling companies, this is good for the industry. Our goal is to send a message that this can be done."