Business booms in Henry Co.

MT. PLEASANT — Business is booming in Henry County with the addition of a Children’s Boutique in downtown Mt. Pleasant and Maleo Custom Designs of New London’s new partnership with Outlaw Tees.

Wednesday Feb. 1 Backroad Shenanigans held their official Grand Opening Ceremony at their new storefront located at 217 W. Washington St.

The boutique provides a variety of sizes and styles for the youngest fashionistas in the Mt. Pleasant area. They even carry some custom clothing made by boutique owner Olivia Blackford.

Blackford started Backroad Shenanigans as an online business in January 2021, and announced the news of a storefront opening in January 20, 2023.

“I saw there was a need for children’s clothing and most people can’t find it,” Blackford said as her reason for opening the boutique.

According to Blackford, much of the style influence comes from western clothing, but she seeks to provide options in her inventory.

Blackford will continue to post glimpses of inventory to Backroad Shenanigan’s Facebook page.

New London also welcomes new business as Outlaw Tees began moving equipment January 24.

According to a news release from Outlaw Tees, Lance Ingwerson of Maleo Custom Designs will take over the printing production and establish an Iowa location for Outlaw Tees.

Outlaw Tees currently operates from an office in Navouu, Illinois.

They will move printing production to this new Iowa location in addition to their current office in order owners John and Connie McCarty to begin to slow down.

“Outlaw Tees was established in 1984 in the small historic town of Nauvoo, Illinois,” their website states. “Our primary business was supplying shirts to area car shows. While this is still a major portion of our business, we have branched out to many other areas as well.”

“Lance has many years of screen printing experience and is very knowledgeable in new technology and procedures to improve our quality and production times,” Outlaw Tees states in their news release.

The new office ran by Ingwersen is located at 113 W. Main St., New London.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com