Tongue In Cheek, Springfield Merchants Vie To Sell Most T-Shirts
SPRINGFIELD
‘It’s not a contest,” Ernie Adams, of Country Memories in Springfield, insisted. “But I am winning.”
As the 100th anniversary of Springfield’s annual Fourth of July parade approaches, he and Tom Mabie, of Tom and Kelly’s, are in a tongue-in-cheek contest to see who can sell the most of the $10 celebration T-shirts.
“Everything is a competition for me,” said Mabie. “And if it isn’t, I make it that way!”
Mabie proposed the contest in early May, and although Adams resisted at first, he soon got caught up in the thrill of the competition. “Ernie kept saying, ‘It’s not a contest,” but when I saw him the other day, he said he had me beat – so now, he’s hooked’!”
It’s only the first year, so the rules are sometimes nebulous. “I sent someone down to his place to get a size I didn’t have, and he counted that as his sale!” said Mabie.
The T-shirts have been part of the parade day for a decade and the friendly rivalry has helped sell them as Springfield residents chose sides. “Last year, we sold 90 total,” said Adams. “So far this year, we’ve sold 106!”
In May, Adams had Mabie beat 24-16, and in June, they tied at 33 each.
The red, white or blue T-shirts, designed by Mike Fassett, have proven so popular that Adams had to re-stock Friday morning, June 20. “There’s a lot of interest,” he said. “I didn’t expect to sell as many as we have.”
“They sell themselves,” added Mabie.
And on July 4th, the two will pool their remaining stock and sell the shirts together at the parade. Though no official prize has been determined, pride in their town is the ultimate reward. “The goal is to raise money for Springfield,” said Adams.
