TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo business is getting in the spirit of the total solar eclipse with a souvenir for tourists and locals to remember the event of a lifetime.
At the Jupmode screen printing shop, business is always booming. The local company has grown and with it, so has demand for its offerings.
Jupmode owner John Amato said towards the end of 2023 he saw a growing demand for ways to commemorate the upcoming total solar eclipse.
"We saw it years ago with the 'Christmas Weed,'" Amato said. "And recently, especially during the holidays, our euchre shirts are really popular and we noticed about 2 or 3 weeks ago where our best-selling shirt was this Toledo eclipse shirt."
Since the beginning of the year, workers have been producing a simple design TOL eclipse t-shirt. And yes, the shirts are only available in black.
"It doesn't happen very often in Toledo, and so it is neat to see something that kind of catches fire like this," Amato said.
Current shirt sales have been mostly for patrons who live in the area, but Amato said Jupmode will be sure to have plenty of stock on hand during the weekend of the eclipse in just over a month for any out-of-town visitors who will be here for the solar event.
Along with printing its own t-shirts, Jupmode has also fulfilled plenty of bulk orders for organizations in the area. There is still time for you to make a special order for your group or event.
"To commemorate the event for a business, to schools, to non-profits and local organizations," Jupmode marketing and social media specialist Stephen Gullete said. "I think it's fun for them to have that item too."
If you want to special order shirts for an eclipse event, Jupmode will need your orders at least 2 weeks before the eclipse on April 8.
"If anyone needs custom shirts, planning a fun outing for employees or selling anything at their location, we'd be more than happy to help," Amato said.
Until then, Jupmode also has a whole line of local St. Patrick's Day apparel to choose from as well.