This week, Trojan Threads announced it would be expanding into a new, very close by, retail location along with being able to expand its production, as well. 

Trojan Threads is coming up on its two-year anniversary of opening its brick and mortar location on University Avenue in Troy and during that time, the store considered by many Trojans to be the No. 1 stop for Troy Athletics apparel, has outgrown its location.

“Within two years we’re already expanding,” Trojan Threads Owner David Smith said. “I knew we would grow out of this space but I just didn’t know how quickly we would grow out of this space.”

While Trojan Threads is expanding, the retail location is moving right next door. The retail store will move into the location of the old Escape Troy next door to its current location. Currently, Trojan Threads has 1,500-square feet of retail space and 300-square feet for production space. The retail side of Trojan Threads will move to the new location, giving it 2,500-square feet of retail space and the entire 1,800-square feet of the original Trojan Threads for production. 

“Becuase we’re growing so quickly, we needed the space to accommodate more apparel, more production area,” Smith said. “This will be able to accommodate both of those things for Troy fans. That’s 4,300-square feet of space for us.” 

Smith said it was also important to him to not move away from its current prime location, right next to Troy University, at 110 University Avenue in Troy.

“We’ve been debating off and on since Escape Troy left about going over there,” Smith recalled. “I just didn’t feel like the timing was right. It’s one of those things where you need to have that gut feeling that it’s the right time, the right location, the right fit. We’ve done really well here with our location being just one block away from the university and it made sense to stay where we’re at and take that over and continue to benefit the university, athletics and the city, as well.”

The more production space will allow for Trojan Threads to expand its embroidering, screen printing and more commercial-grade products.

“This adds more value to us in terms of allowing people that want more screen printing,” said Smith. “We just don’t have the space currently to do as much screen printing as we’d like.”

Also, the bigger retail location is going to allow Trojan Threads to expand its merchandise and apparel overall.

“We’re adding a lot more stuff in to accommodate the size of the new location,” Smith said. “We’re adding more T-Shirts and we were already expanding our polo lines, but we’re especially expanding our female and kids apparel. We discovered there is a heavy need for kids apparel and women’s apparel. So, we’re excited about expanding in those areas.” 

The new retail location will have a fitting area, public restrooms and a seating area along with a number of televisions that will be tuned to College Gameday on football Saturdays. Trojan Threads’ hours will remain Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. with the Fridays before Troy home games seeing the store stay open until 8 p.m. Trojan Threads will also be open on home game Saturdays from 8 a.m. until one hour before kickoff. 

“I’m excited but nervous,” Smith said with a smile. “Opening this first location was nerve-racking but the way everything has played out – and having such huge support from the community and Troy fans – has really kept us going.” 

Trojan Threads is already in the midst of gutting the location of the old Escape Troy and Smith said that he anticipates a late July, early August opening of the new retail store. 

“By football season it will definitely be open,” he said. 

Trojan Threads will also continue having a presence at Trojan Arena during basketball season, Riddle-Pace Field during baseball season and Smith said that they hope to once again have a presence in the Stadium Club at Veterans Memorial Stadium for some Troy Football games. 

While Trojan Threads is expanding, Smith is adamant he wants to ensure that customers receive the same quality they’ve come to know from his products.

“I want quality pricing for quality products at good prices,” Smith said. I’m from the area and grew up around Troy and went to Troy, so I want to be able to provide a quality service to everyone.”