TOLEDO, Ohio —
Jupmode has been stitched into Toledo history since 2007, but the business is starting a new chapter in a new location.
The new location is at the corner of Monroe and 18th streets across from the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo.
Known for its custom shirt designs and embroidery, the business needs more space to hopefully keep growing, according to owner John Amato.
Production had moved to the new location a few months back, but the retail store officially opened on Tuesday.
"It feels great to have everybody under one roof," Amato said. "We're just excited to be in this new space, which we take a lot of pride in the renovations that we've made here. We have a bigger footprint for our retail store as well as for production."
Amato said once it became clear Jupmode was outgrowing its Adams Street location, renovation and upgrade plans began at the new location, previously a MedCorp building, to keep all business in one spot.
The new location is more than double the size of the Adams Street location, according to Amato.
Moving to a new location did bring concerns about losing regular foot traffic, but Amato said he believes business will still do well.
"First of all, most people are familiar with Monroe Street," he said. "It's part of their normal commute anyway, whereas Adams Street may not be. And one big thing for a lot of people here is that we actually have a parking lot."
Long-time Jupmode customer and Ohio State football fan Tim Mossing was one of the first in the new location's door.
"There's so much that caught my eye today from the Toledo shirts to the Midwestern shirts, unfortunately the Michigan shirts, although I won't be buying any," Mossing said.
Although Mossing's allegiance to OSU will stop him from buying any Michigan shirts, he did say he would put a few other items on his Christmas list.
Jupmode has been printing shirts with Toledo history on them for 17 years, something Amato says directs the company.
"It's kind of a guide for us so that we can say 'hey, this is what's possible in Toledo, not just for us, but for anybody else,'" Amato said.