Fall River Wear makes its debut at chamber of commerce

Have out-of-state relatives with Fall River on their minds? Maybe they'd like to have the Spindle City on their chest... or legs... or head instead.Recognizing a gap in the availability of "Fall River"-labeled clothing, the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry is now marketing apparel with the city's name splashed across it.Through a partnership with Corporate Image Apparel, located in the city's industrial park, the chamber is offering T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, lounge pants, hats and 16-ounce stainless steel tumblers for coffee lovers. All items, except for the lounge pants and tumblers, are currently available by contacting the chamber. The line will also be available at the second annual Bristol County Home and Garden Show.
The concept for the line came from the chamber's director of events and marketing, Kimberly Moniz, after she noticed numerous requests for Fall River clothing couldn't be filled because the product didn't exist.She said the chamber has received many calls from people looking to send such items to relatives out of the area as holiday or birthday gifts."I just think it's a great idea," Moniz said. "Fall River is always talking about city spirit and pride, and what better what to show your pride."Moniz said she decided to go the apparel route after recalling similar success while working at a local bank.Waylon Jennings Family Plans Film, Clothing Line.Seeking to build some brand recognition, she said, the bank began marketing clothing plastered with the bank's logo and had staff members wearing the items.
The chamber has called the new "Fall River Wear.""It is our goal to have the new 'Fall River Wear' line of apparel and items become an authentic line of Fall River souvenirs and gifts," chamber President and CEO Robert Mellion said. "Their introduction is part of the chamber's ongoing mission to support and improve the local economy and community. To make these high-quality items available, the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry has partnered with Corporate Image Apparel, located in the Fall River Industrial Park. Now area residents can celebrate their esteem for the 'Spindle City,' while tourists will be able to have a keepsake by purchasing Fall River Wear apparel and other mementos."
For-profit clothing donation companies make money through the salvage market. Companies typically will sort through donations for high-quality items that can be sold piecemeal. An item that can’t be sold piecemeal is sold in bulk as rags or clothing, often overseas. The U.S. generates between 9 and 12 billion tons of used textiles per year, according to Planet Aid, a nonprofit company that collects used clothing. More than 60 percent of used clothing donations are sold overseas due to the large amount of materials collected.