Gridley, CA (MPG) - Another downtown small business is closing its doors after 33 years of business.

La Trisha Dewitt bought the Family T-Shirt Factory 12 years ago and was going strong until she began slowly loosing accounts to out-of-town businesses. It was little things at first, schools sending individuals into the shop instead of making one large order, which was not cost effective for Dewitt. Others began taking their printing needs to Chico based businesses because they promised lower prices, then the Gridley Little League stopped having the T-Shirt Factory make their uniforms, as they had done for years previous. Add the Cricut craze and DIY crafters and it was all downhill from there.

Dewitt expressed that it was frustrating watching clients take their money out of the community. The companies they were going with were able to print cheaper because they required the customer to buy in bulk - something she could have done as well if potential clients had only asked or given her a chance to submit a bid. She also said that the rumor mill in Gridley didn’t help matters. When some of her bigger clients didn’t submit their regular orders, she reached out to them. “We heard you were closed” they said. Feeling somewhat dejected, she kept going.  “Whatever happened to shop local?” she said sadly.  

After failed attempts to sell the business, Dewitt has decided to close the store December 31st. She is currently having a blow-out sale, with items priced to move. The shop is full of local grade school and high school gear, and Dewitt says that she continue take and make custom orders up until she closes for good.