BLOOMINGTON — Indiana-based Homefield Apparel designs clothes for more than 200 colleges across the United States, but Indiana University remains its top priority. The company doubled down on its local commitment with its first brick-and-mortar store.
"Our brand is IU first because it's where our beginnings are," said Homefield Apparel co-founder Connor Hitchcock. "It's our history."
Homefield at Tracks opened steps away from the Indiana University campus on Kirkwood Avenue. It is the online clothing company's first permanent store.
Hitchcock said the location is meaningful because he started selling IU t-shirts on campus while he was an undergrad.
"I think about it all the time when I'm walking around Bloomington," Hitchcock said. "Even when I pass my old apartments, I think about spending three hours scrubbing the bathtub to make sure I wouldn't lose my security deposit because there was screen printing ink all over the tub."
"It wasn't that long ago that we were students walking down Kirkwood," said Christa Hitchcock, Homefield's co-founder and Connor's wife. "To be back here with this presence is really special."
The flagship location also honors Tracks, the record store that has operated out of the Kirkwood Avenue store for nearly 40 years. Homefield is still selling music and apparel under the Tracks name inside the shop.
"We don't want to come in and ignore an institution that has been here since 1988," Hitchcock said.
The first 100 people at the Homefield at Tracks' grand opening on Tuesday received a poster featuring the newly revived IU bison mascot. The bison proved to be a popular seller during the store's first day of business.
"I'm going to wear this shirt at least 10 to 20 times," said IU fan Julia Songer. "I have season tickets to football, so I'm going to go tailgating and watch football with my new IU bison t-shirt."
"I bought the bison t-shirt," said Kobe Fleming, who graduated from IU in 2021. "We've got to bring back the bison. It's already back and I can't wait to see it at Memorial Stadium this fall."
Homefield at Tracks is celebrating the grand opening throughout IU Welcome Week, including a block party outside of the store on Friday afternoon.
-
Youth take lead in effort to reduce gun violence
Young people took center stage at the Madam Walker Legacy Center, leading a conversation about gun violence and how they can work alongside adults to help prevent it.
Community honors fallen Officer Brian Elliott as hundreds gather for visitation
The parking lot of Beech Grove High School filled with police vehicles from around the Indianapolis metro area and beyond Sunday afternoon as hundreds gathered to honor fallen Officer Brian Elliott.
A final farewell: Beech Grove holds funeral for Officer Brian Elliott
The community will gather tomorrow to say a final farewell to fallen Beech Grove Police Officer Brian Elliott, who died in the line of duty Monday night while responding to a domestic violence call.
US beats Canada 2-1 in overtime to win first gold in men's hockey since 1980
The U.S beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win its first men’s hockey championship at the Olympics since 1980.
