One family is creating a new atmosphere on Chimes Street and encouraging University students to “Wear Your Story.” Storyville is a new custom T-shirt shop on West Chimes Street. The shop is run by the Harvey family, many of whom are University alumni. Storyville sells a variety of T-shirts. They sell designs from other T-shirt shops across the state, T-shirts from local designers and custom T-shirts. The Harveys said they wanted to sell shirts from shops scattered across the state because it would give smaller shops more exposure. “Growing up in north Louisiana, we never heard of somebody like Ichabod’s, and people down South don’t know about Mojo,” said Josh Harvey, the oldest of the Harvey siblings. Ichabod’s, a custom T-shirt shop recently relocated to New Orleans from Covington, and Mojo, a shop located in Monroe, are just two of nine shops represented in Storyville. The Harveys are also looking to sell designs from individual designers in the area. Among the individual designers are University alumnus Brad Jansen, Gabriel Saint, who is a local musician advertising both his art and his music with his designs, and Josh Ford, a Baton Rouge High student who founded Giraphic Prints, a local printing and design company. Ford said Storyville was a great opportunity for him. “It is really great exposure to be able to sell our stuff in a local store,” Ford said. “I have sold to friends and family, but this is a great opportunity to get the word out more.” The Harveys will also let customers make customized T-shirts and designs. “Most shops only have a few fonts to design with, but we literally have hundreds for people to choose from to create their own design,” said Gabriel Harvey. But while they talk about designs and designers, it is apparent that what the Harveys hope to create is not only a business but an atmosphere. “Essentially this whole thing is aimed at college students,” said Josh. A dry erase board above the front counter shows the cost some of their shirts receive from online sales and how much they are sold for at Storyville, and they are always cheaper in Storyville. When asked why they are willing to sell for much less than they would to ensure a profit, the Harveys say it is not about the money. “We are all volunteers here, and if we can just keep the lights on that would be great,” said Josh. The Harvey family said they specifically wanted to open on Chimes Street because of the history of the area and what it means to University students. “There is only one Chimes Street, and in our own tiny way we are trying to save it,” said Josh. They also hope to bring the Chimes Street atmosphere inside Storyville and create a place for college students to hang out. Off to the side of the store is a room with couches, a TV and a drawing table. The Harveys plan to use this room as a place for people to hang out, watch TV, listen to music and work on designs. “Ideally we want this to be a hub for local artists and bands,” said Josh. At Storyville, the Harveys encourage people to “wear your story.” When they are wearing their official “Storyville” T-shirts, they are doing just that. For them, Storyville is their story. When they tell people about how they started the store it inevitably evolves into a family history going back 30 years. According to the Harveys, they have been making T-shirts for 25 years. Hanging above a doorway in the shop is a framed picture showing the two oldest brothers, Josh and Seth Harvey. According to the Harveys the picture was used for their first custom T-shirt more than 25 years ago. The Harvey family is a large one. Currently there are 11 siblings in the family: five original Harveys, two step-siblings and four adopted siblings from Colombia. “We’re like the Brady Bunch, but crazier,” said Gabriel. According to the Harveys Storyville has been in the back of their collective minds for quite a while. “We used to spend hours at night talking over the phone about opening our own custom T-shop,” Gabriel said. Josh makes it clear that Storyville is a family affair. “Some of us are away at school or are too young, but this store is the whole family’s,” he said. Over the last year that dream of opening a custom T-shirt shop has become a reality. The Harveys spent Christmas sorting through T-shirts in eager anticipation of the opening of Storyville. Now they are eagerly awaiting each new landmark. They talked excitedly about their ideas to anybody who comes in and wants to listen. “We want college students to be able to say whatever they want, and we want people to create their own stuff,” said Gabriel. Storyville’s grand opening on Feb. 1 will feature live music and catered food.
—–Contact Ryan Duncan at rduncan@lsureveille.com
A tale of some T-Shirts
January 31, 2007