Epic new Monona location for Epic Wear customized clothing store
Pictured are Tyler and Mandy Halverson in front of their printing press, located within the Waukon Epic Wear store. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)
By Rachel Mergen, North Iowa Times
In 2012, Tyler and Mandy Halverson wanted to take control of their lives and work schedules. Instead of staying with their jobs as the average person would do, they began to examine their home community of Waukon’s needs. They noticed many local towns had success with a screen printing and embroidery business, which made them realize what they were truly meant to be: entrepreneurs. They brought to Waukon their work ethic and turned it into Epic Wear, which they are now looking to add onto in Monona.
“All the other small towns were able to sustain one,” Mandy said about the type of store. Epic Wear makes customized clothes, trophies, awards, bags, towels, aprons, blankets, hats, stuffed animals, and other products, while also selling pre-made merchandise on their store floor, often designed based on the Waukon area and its wants.
The couple was able to train in and learn about the business from loved ones who owned a similar business in Dubuque.
Originally, the Halversons had another business partner, but they were able to buy the other third of the business in 2014.
Tyler and Mandy have appreciated the business’ growth in the past eight years. Even though many people in the area still don’t know they exist, they see new customers walking through their doors or visiting their website every single day.
Clients are able to work with Mandy and the rest of the staff to design the perfect items for their needs. On the Epic Wear website, they can go on, make a draft design, and Mandy will then help them perfect their ideas, so the customer can purchase the highest quality product.
For the new Monona store, whose grand opening date is yet to be determined due to building work still needing to be completed, clients will be able to find a MFL MarMac Bulldog line available on the floor. The products available for casual shopping are focused on the town where the store is located, adapting to the wants around them.
They chose Monona because it was close by and the Halversons recognized the city’s need for the store’s type of work. Over the years, they have occasionally seen business from Monona, so the couple wanted to have more of a presence in the city, making their products more locally-focused and available to the locals.
The downtown building they chose was a little larger than they had originally been searching for, but they are looking forward to being able to grow in it one day. “It was a good opportunity for us, and it just made sense,” Tyler said about the location.
The Monona store is already receiving great feedback and many orders are already being placed. The store had a soft opening during Hay Days, simply to join in the community celebration.
With both store locations, the owners are proud of the store’s wonderful customer service, saying that it makes them stand out above other stores in the field. Tyler noted, “We are easy to work with.”
In the future, the Epic Wear staff looks forward to growing and continuing to have relations with the communities they call home.
“If it’s apparel, we can customize it,” Tyler concluded, excited about the future of his family’s business.
Epic Wear’s Waukon store is located at 11 W. Main St. The Monona location is at 100 W. Center St. For more information about the business or to make an order, call (563) 568-2301, email getepicwear@gmail.com, go to getepicwear.com, or simply stop in at the Waukon location.
