28 July 2010

A US Shirt Factory

Across from the Piggly Wiggly





I kid you not.

Garland is about an hour east of Fayetteville (map here). Owned by Brooks Brothers, the Garland Shirt Factory has been making the classic oxford Polo for... a really long time. I'm still waiting to hear exactly how long. Back in the '90s, I insured a number of apparel manufactures in the southeast. Most of them are gone but Garland drives on.

There's a unique outlet store in Garland. It's on the right as you come into town from the south. Just across from the Piggly Wiggly. Don't look for your typical '346' outlet. This one is refreshingly authentic. Last time I visited I saw 50 pair of dinner trousers (US made-pleated) and at least eight pair of white buck wingtips - all size 12.

There was a lotta outer wear. I secured a Blackwatch plaid Husky jacket for $35. And there were a fair amount of MTM monogrammed shirts. I asked a saleswoman if there were any oxford button downs. She sighed, "No, sir. They don't make many mistakes in the factory anymore." This video helps explain why.

Update: Brooks Brothers did a lotta digging and have advised the Garland Factory has been making the Polo button down since March 8, 1982.

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10 comments:

  1. Trailer Trad28 July, 2010 08:47

    Friends here in Raleigh have told me that the Garland outlet's good. So everyone come down and take advantage of good, Tarheel-made textiles!

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  2. Anonymous28 July, 2010 09:15

    Thanks for posting this. My next shirt order will be a Brooks Brothers made-in-the-USA OCBD.

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  3. TC28 July, 2010 09:44

    Dammit... just left Bragg two months ago, never to return. Wish I would have known about this place before I took off.

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  4. Anonymous28 July, 2010 11:27

    Just wow! My Folbot folding kayak was made by hand, proudly, by low-country folks, in my case South Carolina. And I just love that.

    God bless 'em.

    -DB

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  5. Makaga28 July, 2010 13:24

    Thanks for posting, Trad!

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  6. MP28 July, 2010 14:02

    I used to travel near Garland for business and often stopped by.

    Great deals if they had your size. Cashmere sweaters for $50, Country Club oxfords {made in USA for $15, etc.}

    A real deal outlet!

    Mark

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  7. Anonymous28 July, 2010 20:07

    Love that place! No longer a hidden gem as it used to be but still a great place for deals. I live about an hour away and visit every few months.

    My most prized find: current season (at the time) saxxon wool sweater, retail $350 purchased for $40.

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  8. The Sluice Box28 July, 2010 22:25

    That video is a great find. I was surprised to see how manual the shirt making process is. I figured my BB shirts were created by robots.

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  9. Anonymous01 August, 2010 20:38

    BRAVO!! For Brooks.. It's good to see a success story for the ladies of the Garland Shirt factory. Just when you think can anything be made in the U.S., the answer is yes. We need to hear more stories like this to support the work of those who still make garments here in the U.S. Brooks makes a great classic "Polo" BD Oxford. Great Stuff.

    ATK

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  10. sle02 August, 2010 10:50

    If you can find a sweet soul who works in the factory they can buy the shirts for around five bucks!

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