History, tenacity and T-shirts. Those three words perfectly describe Nick Gaylor and his business, T-Shirt Express, located in the heart of downtown Franklin. Nestled within a row of historic buildings, a colorful array of T-shirts adorns the large showroom windows, welcoming all who pass by to stop, smile and shop.
Gaylor, owner of the shop that features his own signature line called Sailor Nick Designs, purchased the business in 2012. The previous owner, Bob Kinser, was a well-respected business owner. “Bob had a great business and I wanted to honor his work,” Gaylor said. Kinser had started the business in 1991, making T-Shirt Express one of the oldest continuously operating business in the downtown area.
Buying an established business can create a lot of pressure on a new owner to continue the success of its predecessor, and Gaylor and his mother were up to the task. However, that dream almost came to an end just as it began.
In 2013 the building and business caught fire, causing severe damage. The flames were tamed before too much burned, but smoke damage permeated the upstairs while water damage from the firefighting measures destroyed the first floor.
Just one year into ownership and Gaylor was faced with a complete remodel. “We had to gut the upstairs down to the studs and start over,” Gaylor said. All equipment, such as the conveyor dryer and screen printing press, were ruined and had to be replaced.
The fire caused the business to be effectively shut down for approximately five months while the building was repaired. Luckily, insurance was able to cover most of the costs of the rebuild. However, the Franklin Development Corporation provided a facade grant. Through the damage and despair, Gaylor, a veteran, never lost his fighting spirit.
While the business was shut down, Gaylor did not want to disappoint customers who already had orders placed. He partnered with a friend in Indianapolis and was able to complete the orders at his friend’s business.
After construction finished, T-Shirt Express once again opened its doors. New large signs on the building beckoned customers to return, and return they did. Many local businesses resumed ordering shirts from them, as well as Franklin College and Franklin schools.
The fire had come in the midst of the downtown revitalization project, which transformed the area into the modern-day destination it has become. However, it also created another challenge when Jefferson Street road construction occurred.
Gaylor was tenacious and didn’t let the temporary inconvenience of road construction slow his growing business down. Making use of the rear building entrances, his loyal customers continued shopping local.
Spirit wear is a big part of the business. Gaylor creates designs and shirts supporting the college (often called Griz wear) as well as Franklin schools athletics. It makes sense that spirit wear is such a big part of the business, as Gaylor is very community minded. He loves his town and is proud to be a part of it.
Gaylor also possesses an old soul and loves history. He proudly displays old Franklin photographs in the store, purchased from another Franklin business when it closed. His love of all things vintage can be seen in his cutting-edge designs. Many offerings have a vintage look with quirky images and wording.
Earlier this year, when Franklin was hit with eclipse hysteria, T-Shirt Express was able to capitalize on this once-in-a-lifetime event. Sailor Nick designed one of the most unique and novel offerings with his “I got mooned in Franklin” shirts. They proved to be very popular with locals and visitors alike.
“It was the single biggest week for our business ever,” Gaylor shared enthusiastically. “We ran out of shirts to sell on the day of the eclipse.” Once they had depleted their stock, customers were still craving more. They continued to print the design onto any other blank shirts they had in the store until they ran out of those as well. They ended up closing the shop early that day as they had no more inventory to sell. In the weeks following the eclipse, Gaylor fielded daily calls asking if the shirts were still available. Once the excitement of the eclipse passed, Gaylor returned to regular business hours.
Most of the business consists of specific orders, but they do have a showroom offering preprinted merchandise, especially the spirit wear they have become so well-known for.
As a small, locally owned business, Gaylor closes on the weekends so he and his family can enjoy all that Franklin has to offer. He is proud of his hometown and proud to operate his business in the heart of downtown Franklin. He is also a proud supporter of other locally owned businesses, and can often be spotted with his family shopping and dining in the downtown he loves so much.
It was important to Gaylor to retain the history of the business he purchased 12 years ago. Through his hard work and tenacity, he has done just that, as well as making his own history for future generations to enjoy. A quick scan of online reviews show just how loved Gaylor’s family and business have become. If you are looking for some spirit wear, or perhaps some apparel for a business or event, give Nick a call – you will be happy you did!
