Local online business opens brick-and-mortar location

WINTERSVILLE -- After operating an online based supplier of T-shirts and other apparel bearing messages about patriotism, freedoms and faith since 2017, a Wintersville couple has established a brick-and-mortar location where area residents may purchase their product in person.

Sharen Gunther, who runs Grit Gear Apparel with her husband, Rich, said the decision to open a shop at 419 Cadiz Road came out of necessity.

"The business started in our shed out back, moved to our garage and overtook our home with inventory and equipment. As the business grew, we needed to find a suitable location to house our production and shipping departments," she said.

Sharon said they take pride in using American materials for their assorted products, which they design and print on-site and in offering a discount on all purchases to veterans and emergency first responders.

In addition to silk screened T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts, they offer hand embroidered ballcaps. Images of their many products, which also include license plates and vinyl decals, can be found at gritgearapparel.com, through which they continue to run their online business.

The pair also sell their own line of coffee products, called Lock N Load in reference to their support of the 2nd Amendment.

The coffee is available in cups, ready to drink, or bags of grounds for use at home, with assorted coffee mugs also for sale.

Grit Gear Apparel is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.