Staff Feature: Anessa Arehart

We hired Anessa Arehart a little over 3 months, and we have already promoted her to customer service manager if that tells you anything about the caliber of person that she is and the kind of job that she's done.

She has truly and quickly become an integral part of our world-class customer service team.

If you send us an e-mail or leave us a message, she, as Customer Service Manager, will most likely see or hear it first. If you call, there's a good chance you'll be greeted with her friendly and charming personality.

In addition to her exceptional soft skills, Anessa brings over 20 years in retail management with companies such as Lord and Taylor and Mercantile Inc., and has served as gallery director for arts organizations such as The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and Flame Run Hot Glass Studio and Gallery.

Anessa was born and raised in the heart of the Bluegrass near Lexington, Kentucky where she graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Art Studio.

In her spare time, she is an avid painter. If in Louisville, you'll likely find her work exhibited several times a year at local and regional galleries.

Learn more about other staff including Jeanne, Paul and Sherry.

New Football Selection Shaping Up for Fall

Just some quick insider information that we've got some new items planned for early football season we hope you'll enjoy. I'm highlighting a few of the most interesting of these below, and of ones you'll find links on, these are already here in limited quantities:

• Reebok NFL Quag Referee Shoes
  In standard Reebok logo low and mid and all-black low. This is our first offering of Reebok shoes for football and, of course, continue to be excited about our new relationship with them. There is also no reason other outside sports might choose these to wear as well.
  
  
• All-Weather Information Cards and Pens
  Waterproof and writable in the rain. You have to see it to believe it.
  
  
• Women's Football Referee Shirt
  Another Ump-Attire original for the growing number of women officials, especially for lacrosse. This shirt is made from the same materials as our Ultimate Shirt Line but in a women's cut.
  
  
• American Flag Patches for Right Sleeves
  This is the reverse style patches where the flag is always pointing forward in proper militaristic fashion.
  
  
• Youth Sized Referee Cap
  The first of its kind and a fun addition to go with the kid's football referee shirt we introduced last year.
  

To Move or Not to Move: Not is the Answer for Now

We have discussed with many of our local customers and some farther away that we were planning on moving this year. We set a goal date for July and started looking for properties earlier this year.

But although our growth has made our warehouse a little cramped, we elected to stay right where we are for at least 1 more year.

You know it's difficult to change a good thing. So instead of moving, we've decided to re-organize our shelving system for our inventory instead plus add a workstation or 2 for staff. This decision will save us a little money over a year's time and allow us to continue to keep our overhead as low as possible.

Personally, I'm looking forward to enjoying more of my summer rather than gearing up for a move right in the middle of it.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support wherever we may be!