Cincinnati-based Originalitees has announced it is opening its first storefront on Friday, July 3 at 2809 Woodburn Ave. in East Walnut Hills.
Originalitees is a locally owned and operated clothing line that specializes in state, city and neighborhood pride apparel. With quality, comfort, affordability and style at front of mind, owner Khisha Asubuhi sells only products that she would wear herself, including funky Ohio socks and Cincinnati streets tanks.
Now, Asubuhi is eager to sell her designs from a brick-and-mortar location.
“This has been a dream of mine since I printed my first T-shirt 10 years ago,” she says. “The pandemic slowed that dream, but couldn’t stop it. Thanks to the support of the community, we’re ready to open our doors.”
In true Cincinnati and entrepreneurial style, Asubuhi did not let the obstacle of COVID-19 hinder her ambition. Instead, she adapted to it by releasing a line of Buckeye Strong face masks, along with a variety of other designs.
Originalitees has always been dedicated to paying homage to Midwestern states and local Cincinnati staples. In 2018, Asubuhi even became the first locally owned clothing brand to collaborate with the Cincinnati Reds ball club by creating an exclusive T-shirt design for African-American community night.
You may also know Originalitees for their "Cincinnati Believes Black Lives Matter" T-shirts, which benefitted Beloved Community Church's Cincinnati Bail Fund and the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance; their "Product of Public Schools" pridewear, which benefitted Cincinnati Public Schools, or their "Unity within the Community Design," which helped support the Freestore Foodbank during the middle of the COVID-19 crisis.
Staying true to this mission of community, this weekend, shoppers will receive a 20% discount on all apparel this weekend (July 3-5) as a thank you for supporting the business.
“My vision for Originalitees has always been a community brand. Part of our mission is paving the way for others. Whether fellow Black women in business, public school graduates or community activists. We want to be a contributor to the community that has fostered our growth over the last decade,” Asubuhi says.
This weekend, Originalitees will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, July 3; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, July 4; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, July 5.
