VALDOSTA —
College football fans now have a new place to get their favorite school’s T-shirts and gifts.
University Gifts and Apparel opened last month in the Valdosta Mall next to Bath & Body Works. The store, which is a small chain of apparel stores, is based out of Albany and owned by Jonathan Oswalt.
“(Oswalt wanted) to get into Valdosta for quite a while,” Doug Duvall, manager, said. “Circumstances just worked out. I was available. The mall gave him a good deal to get in. The previous guy who had something similar to this was retiring.”
University Gifts and Apparel is part of a small chain of stores. There are four other stores, one in Albany, two in Panama City, Fla., and one in Arkansas.
“We’re one of the biggest of the five,” Duvall said.
Customers cannot only get gear from the local schools like University of Georgia, Florida State and Florida, but schools like Oklahoma, Miami, Tennessee and Michigan that might be harder to find in South Georgia.
Q: The most interesting thing about this place is you have more than just Georgia, Florida State and Florida merchandise. Why did you guys decide to include all teams, even non-local ones?
A: (Rachel Peeples, assistant manager) What Jonathan did, he wanted to support all college teams, so he has the main SEC and ACC teams but he wanted to bring in the other ones, like Ohio State and represent everybody.
Q: How has business been the last month?
A: (Peeples) We’ve done very well.
Q: What has been your most popular items that you’re selling?
A: (Peeples) Shirts, right now. The shirts have been flying out of here. Hats have been the next most popular things and then gift items.
Q: What has been the most popular schools?
A: (Peeples) Georgia, I have to say is our number one. Then you go Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Miami and it goes from there.
Q: So Florida sells better than Florida State?
A: (Peeples) I would say Florida and FSU might be close together. There’s more Miami fans than we thought around here.
A: (Duvall) The two Florida teams probably are a close second to Georgia.
Q: Is there anything else about the store that you would like people to know?
A: (Duvall) Our goal, or mission, is to be the premier sports gift and T-shirt store for Valdosta. So we’re doing a lot of outside promoting. We’re getting involved in the community. We’re members of the chamber so we’re working with them. We’re working with (Valdosta State University) to be on campus more and with other agencies to work with the school. We not only want to be a profitable store but we want to make an impact in the community too.
University Gifts & Apparel Valdosta Mall
Phone: (229) 333-0933
Hours: Regular Mall Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Related Photos
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University Gifts & Apparel offers a wide variety of college apparel. Jonathan M. Chick
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University Gifts & Apparel is located in the Valdosta Mall. Jonathan M. Chick
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