APPAREL
Where Tees are Tops T-shirt Trends at Zoos and Aquariums
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mericans have returned to zoos and aquariums — but like everywhere else, they have to stay six feet apart. The new line of social distancing shirts and Akron Zoological Park in Akron, Ohio, has a bit of fun with this COVID-era reality, said Gift Shop Manager Joan Hummel. “We’ve got one that says ‘Llamas stay six feet away,’ and another that says ‘Komodo dragons — socially distancing before it was cool,’ ” Hummel said.
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A sense of humor goes a long way toward engaguncertainty, “we’re more constrained in our buying,” ing customers in a difficult year. So does practicality: she said. “But we try to keep updated.” Masks have been a top seller for the Akron gift shop, Recent hits include a line of organic T-shirts in a a popular add-on to those social distance T-shirts, fabric produced from recycled water bottles. “People Hummel said. Patrons are also looking for color — are just so surprised that they’re soft — and that botblue, green, red, brown, black and this season’s trendy tles actually made the shirt,” Lawriski noted. “They mauve. “There’s no one standout; we just try to make the colors go well with whatever graphics we’re putting on the shirts,” “We’ve got one that says ‘Llamas stay six feet away,’ explained Hummel. “But for whatever reaand another that says ‘Komodo dragons — socially son, I’ve noticed people don’t like white.” distancing before it was cool,’ ” Shades of blue and fun, quirky graphics - Joan Hummel, Akron Zoological Park, Akron, Ohio, commenting on a help sell T-shirts at the Blank Park Zoo in new line of social distancing T-shirts. Des Moines. “Our most popular style before the spring lockdown was a slate blue shirt with a picture of a rhino, and the slogan ‘Save love that it’s recycled.” the chubby unicorn,’” said Gift Shop Manager Cindy In Sunny Florida, patrons favor “colors that pop a Campbell. Runners up included a royal blue version little,” Lawriski said. Pinks and greens are popular for featuring an orange giraffe and the words “Living the children, while adults gravitate toward corals and yelhigh life,” and a “Living on the hedge” tee featuring a lows. A line of tie dye sweatshirts and T-shirts in both hedgehog wearing shades. long and short sleeves “has a beachy feel to it,” Law“Gray is very popular right now; it’s the new neuriski added, and is on trend for this season. tral,” said Campbell. Another round of new TFor 2021, Lawriski plans to increase the number of shirts is due to arrive at the gift shop just before customized apparel items. “The more we find the more spring, and Campbell hopes the you customize the product, the better it sells,” she obfresh, humorous graphics served. People want things that remind them of where will continue to do well they’ve been and what they’ve seen.” That means not in 2021. only name-dropped shirts, but also graphics and someThe pandemic has times even names of the animals on view at the zoo prompted Manager Lin— “our bear, with our logo,” Lawriski said. da Lawriski to order Indeed, it’s often a specific animal that moves the conservatively for the most shirts. At the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Fla., Gift Shop she manages “it’s all about the sloth,” said Gift Shop Manager Ceat the Florida Aquarium leste Elam. “Kids love it, adults love it. Everyone rein Tampa, Fla. With less lates to the sloth.” foot traffic and ongoing The sloth may be the hot ticket, but the red panda
Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties | February 2021 | www.sgnmag.com