On the heels of what some might consider a major recession throughout our country, there are many Newfoundland companies that have not only overcome, but thrived in our economy. Specialty Apparel & Promotional Products Ltd., located in Mount Pearl, NL, is a true example that the manufacturing business at home is not only on the up-swing and extremely successful,  but thriving, as many companies and organizations look to expand their marketing and professional appearance.

   Opened originally in 1988 as a small tailor shop on Topsail Road by Terry and Donna Clarke (the daughter of well-known entrepreneur Tony the Tailor of Tony’s Tailor Shop), they built a business on tailoring garments; and, by 1994 were providing uniforms and team apparel to local businesses and organizations.  With a small staff of sewers and a lot of optimism, it didn’t take long to know that their business was in great demand.

    Slowly building their promotional business, Terry and Donna added more staff and equipment.  Their son Greg was developing with the business, as well, learning from the ground up.  Today, 22 years later, the industry has supported them to enormous growth.  In 2003 a new building and full scale manufacturing plant, along with their in-house embroidery and screen-printing, was opened on Lintrose Place in Mount Pearl.  They offer a full range of manufactured garments customized to meet their customers’ needs.

   Specialty Apparel & Promotional Products has also expanded to include a “one-stop-shop” for local businesses wanting to fulfill  all of their apparel and promotional needs.  Equipped with the ability to manufacture garments of all sorts, from fire-retardant coveralls and safety wear to team and sports apparel, they also have a complete graphics department offering screen-printing and embroidery on site.  Their dedicated and experienced staff are able to help customers brand their products from start to finish; from something as simple as pens, mugs, hats or shirts, to golf bags, back-packs, luggage sets, and giftware.  And if you are unsure as to what type of promotional product you want to use to advertise your business, they can offer you idea books and guide you around their large showroom.

   With a visit to their well-stocked showroom, customers are greeted by a friendly and experienced sales staff who are eager to help build your ideas into a reality.  Offering apparel, promotional products of all kinds, and custom artwork, Specialty Apparel & Promotional Products Ltd. fulfills its motto...“If you can imagine it, we can do it!” 

   Many loyal customers to Specialty Apparel also acknowledge the benefits of buying locally.  Not only does the support of local companies help promote their ability to make an impact in the local and global markets, but it boosts the local economy by providing a degree of import-substitution, and ensures permanent employment for local residents in an industry that owes a great deal of its success to continued local support.

   Specialty Apparel, as a member of the Teamsters Union since 1995, employs 16+ permanent full-time staff year-round, and is proud to be a member of many accredited organizations such as the St. John’s Board of Trade, Mount Pearl Chamber of Commerce, CPSA (Canadian Professional Sales Association), PPPC (Promotional Products Professionals of Canada), and numerous others. 

   Their sales team is headed by Sharon Williams, who has been with the company for almost 15 years.  Her knowledge of the industry is second to none, and her commitment to helping customers meet their needs has enabled her to build a solid reputation as one of the best in the industry. Sharon leads her team of sales associates, including Erin Woodfine and Sarah Bartlett, in bringing a professionalism and dedication to their clients that make dealing with Specialty Apparel a sure way of making your “one-stop-shopping” a pleasure.

At Specialty Apparel, "If you can imagine it...we can do it!"

!!!UPDATE!!!

   In October 2011, Specialty Apparel & Promotional Products was purchased by Chandler Sales, A division of J.D. Irving, giving Terry and Donna Clarke a well deserved, and hard earned retirement.  This left the company in the very capable hands of their son Greg, and long time office manager, Leslie Churchill...now Operations Manager and Banch Manager respectively.  Specialty Apparel is now the first branch of Chandler Sales to reach the island, with many more opportunities to come.