Brownwood News – Howard Payne University is pleased to announce that operation of its Spirit Store will soon be handled by Willie’s T’s, a successful screenprint and embroidery company based in Brownwood. Willie’s T’s will assume control of the store, located in HPU’s Mabee University Center, on July 2 with a soft opening to follow soon afterward.

Willie’s T’s has longstanding ties to HPU. The company is owned and operated by HPU alumni Will and Tracey Carrier, who founded Willie’s T’s in 1990 with two other business partners at the time, Joe Baucom and Brad Wardlow, who are also HPU graduates. Willie’s T’s has served as a vendor of official HPU apparel, banners, vehicle wraps and various other items and has operated HPU’s online store. MaryClaire Swallow, another HPU graduate and Willie’s T’s employee, will manage the Spirit Store. Additionally, Willie’s T’s has announced that a percentage of every dollar spent at the new store will be donated back to HPU.

“Willie’s T’s has been a valued partner of HPU’s through the years,” said Mike Rodgers, HPU’s chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration. “We look forward to the expanded role the company will have on our campus and are excited to see the new line of products.”

With Willie’s T’s 15,000-square-foot facility situated just a few blocks from campus, the company is well positioned to regularly produce a wide array of merchandise to meet customer demand. Will Carrier expressed his company’s eagerness for the new arrangement.

“We are excited to be on campus,” said Carrier. “We look forward to working with campus groups and departments as well as others who love HPU to make sure we carry what they need and want in the Spirit Store.”

The store’s new hours of operation, specific merchandise, promotional specials and more will be announced as the details are finalized.

Applications are still being accepted for the fall 2018 semester at Howard Payne University (www.hputx.edu/apply). HPU offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships for students from Brown County and surrounding counties. For more information about HPU, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.