Black-owned business wants to fill Baton Rouge with HBCU apparel (1505 hits)
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – The Anthony Lawrence collection store has opened its doors on Bluebonnet Boulevard with a goal to gear up all sporting fans, especially HBCU fans, as they get ready to celebrate this football season.
Owner of the Anthony Lawrence collection store Defron Fobb started designing clothes in 2006 and has experience working at a local merchandise store. Combining experience and a creative vision, he opened up the store two years ago near Southern University.
“I started in Tiger Mania and then my time running that store, that’s when I figured and I looked and I saw that HBCUs did not have just the different options of clothing, but they didn’t have the high-quality clothing that that the big brands were giving the big schools,” he said. “So I did my research and then I just been working ever since, trying to give people something new, something different, something from everybody else.”
Now Fobb is not the only one who said they see this problem, Southern University student Caleigha Hughes said she often has to buy her merch online because of the lack of options.
“HBCU students are getting more exposure. We should have more resources to easily be able to rep our school without having to spend money in ordering fees and all that,” said Hughes.
Now located at 7566 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Fobb has transferred the location to a new side of town, which he considers the new area as a ‘challenge’ but hopes it brings the need for exposure to his alma mater.
“It’s different but I enjoy it, it’s a challenge,” Fobb said. “With my apparel, it is going to reach a different audience and just help the brand out. Southern University is its own brand, it’s a unique brand.”
The black-owned business has over 12 colleges to offer from LSU, Southern University, Grambling State, Jackson State, Alcorn, Morehouse and more. Sizes of clothing items range as small as newborn all the way to six XL and have options to buy in-store and online.
Fobb said those customers can expect exclusively selected items in-store and online. The store has opened its doors, but fans can expect a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on September 8. Click here to order online.
