Like many little boys, Nick Morgan's oldest son was a big Thomas the Tank Engine fan, wearing shirts with his favorite train. As the tyke started to outgrow his fascination with cartoonish characters, he still wanted to wear train shirts, but needed something a little more grown up. Finding such a shirt was easier said than done.
"After some searching in the stores I realized that the product is simply not available," Morgan said. "Everything either had the vehicle with a face on it, or a tagline that I did not think he would want."
So the Chapel Hill resident created his own line of children's tees called Shirts That Go. The shirts feature transportation vehicle designs, such as trains, trucks, planes, and even fire trucks and bulldozers. The designs are often inspired by Morgan's adventures with his sons.
"The fighter jet is inspired by a trip to the Wings over Wayne air show [at Seymour Johnson Air Force base in Goldsboro] we did with the kids," says Morgan. "The fire truck is inspired by our local fire station in Chapel Hill and the favorite truck there. And the steam train is inspired by a trip we did to the Golden Spike in Utah."
Morgan sells the shirts online ( www.shirtsthatgo.com ), focusing on T-shirts for boys ages 2-6. He hopes to expand to include long-sleeve shirts, larger sizes, and possibly, posters and cards.
Updates and additions
Several local boutiques have grown this summer, adding new lines and more space:
SoHo Clothing in Cameron Village now carries duds for budding fashionistas, with the addition of little girls' clothing from Desigual, an affordable line out of Barcelona, Spain. SoHo already carries the women's Desigual line, and the children's version features dresses, skirts, sweaters, coats and more in the same bright colors and prints found in the adult collection. SoHo Clothing is at 408 Daniels St., Raleigh. 833-8550, www.sohoclothing.com
At Uniquities, shoes are the news this summer, specifically an expanded shoe department featuring a slew of new designs. Shoppers will find everything from Diane Von Furstenberg clogs and classic Frye boots, to wedge heels from Report and new ballet flats from flip-flop designer Trove Tkees. Shoes range from pricier high-end looks to affordable pairs from labels such as Steve Madden. Uniquities has locations in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. For more info, visit www.uniquities.com.
Upscale consignment boutique Dress is expanding again. The store has added more room for clothing, and has a sitting area with a TV in the works, to keep husbands and boyfriends occupied while their significant others shop. Dress has also extended its hours, opening on noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Dress is at 14 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 523-6021, www.dressraleigh.com
Events at Belk
One of the fun things about being engaged is shopping for your new life as a couple by creating a wedding gift registry. Belk wants to make that more fun with the Engagement Party event, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Bridal consultants will assist couples in choosing the items for their registries. Shoppers will also receive a wedding registry planner, and those who open a registry or add to an existing one will receive a $25 savings card and be entered to win cash, Belk gift cards, travel vouchers, jewelry or a trip to the Biltmore Inn in Asheville.
The Engagement Party will be held at Crabtree Valley Mall, Triangle Town Center and The Streets at Southpoint.
At the Crabtree Valley Mall store, shoppers can get a peek at the trends for fall during the Autism Society of North Carolina fashion show, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. The show and shopping event benefit the society. For tickets or more information, contact Kay Walker at 800-442-2762 or kwalker@autismsociety-nc.org.
Shopping for a cause
Do something to help local pets and get special savings Sunday at ReTails Thrift Shop's monthly Clean Sweep sale. During the event, everything will be 50 percent off in the resale shop, which benefits the nonprofit AnimalKind. Shoppers can save on clothing, housewares and electronics while helping the group, which assists low-income pet owners in getting their pets spayed or neutered.
ReTails is at 1608 N. Market Drive, Raleigh. 872-0019, www.animalkind.org.
