Collegiate sportswear store makes the grade
Neil Rubenstein got the idea for his growing business during a family vacation to Toronto.
Rubenstein's two sons, about 11 and 15 at the time, wanted to stop in Ann Arbor, Mich., to purchase official sweatshirts and football jerseys from the University of Michigan.
At the time, the only way to pick up college gear was to stop at the collegiate bookstore. After driving an hour out of his way, Rubenstein got to thinking that other kids must be like his. With the help of his wife, Barbara, he started Campus Colors 18 years ago in Highland Park.
The idea was simple, rather than travel to your favorite college for merchandise to support the school, Campus Colors would bring the school merchandise to area shoppers.
Starting out as a small retail store that resembled a fraternity house on a college campus, the retailer has grown into a family run chain; the newest location opened less than two weeks ago at Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park. Hinsdale and Water Tower Place also house the business, which the founders son, Jon, now helps run.
Over the years and with the growth of the Internet, the business has evolved.
The stores carry merchandise from more than 200 schools, from Notre Dame to Illinois State. Starting out with apparel, the selection has grown to novelty items and accessories as well. Customers can also make purchases on their Web site, ecampuscolors.com.
Expanding the selection, a portion of each store now caters to professional Chicago sports teams as well.
"The Bears and Bulls are big right now," said Jon, 34. Calling this division Pro Colors, the new Deer Park store has the largest space devoted to professional teams.
Through the expansions, "we've stayed true to our core customer," said Jon, who joined the business six years ago.
"We tend to cater to the youth market, ages 8 to 16. This is what they want to wear to school everyday," he said.
Because this is the trend, "we want to make these items affordable," Jon added. He said embroidered jerseys start at $30 while T-shirts range from $15 to $20.
Jon says their merchandise is authentic. "We buy from the same top companies that supply collegiate bookstores across the country," he said.
The company is looking to expand. While the economy has slowed original growth plans, Jon says, "We'd like to have stores across the country."