2020 Massachusetts Manufacturing Awards 35
A
s the reality and uncertainty
of the COVID-19 pandemic
began to set in Dave Quigley
realized he would need to be creative
to keep his business alive. Quigley,
of Lowell, has owned and operated
Noreast Custom Apparel, a design,
screen printing, and embroidery
shop, since 2003. The small business
has been the go-to apparel shop for
many of the region's businesses,
non-profits, and community events.
The plan was to produce T-shirts
emblazoned with the logos of local
businesses and sell them for $17,
with $10 going to the featured
business and $7 covering material
and labor cost. They hoped to raise
$25,000 for local small businesses.
Unable to reach business owners
for permission due to the pandemic,
Dave decided to take the risk and
begin production with the hope
that no one would complain. When
businesses found out what Dave was
doing to raise funds for them they
were thrilled.
Sales started off slow, but then as
word got out and more businesses
clamored to get on board, things
really snowballed. "The momentum
was crazy," said Dave Quigley.
Soon the Quigleys and their two
employees, Linda Medlin and Matt
Drago, were working 18-hour days to
keep up with the demand.
"We were able to raise more than
$35,000 for local businesses, to help
them stay in business and take care
of their employees," said Rotana
Quigley. "It is the most satisfying
and gratifying work we ever did,"
said Dave Quigley.
Noreast Custom
Apparel
City/Town: Lowell
Total Employees: 4
Year Company Founded: 2003
Company Website:
www.noreastapparel.com
Nominated by:
Senator Edward J. Kennedy
M A S S A C H U S E T T S
Manufacturing Awards 20 20
Pictured: Senator Edward J.
Kennedy, Dave Quigley, Rotana
Quigley, Linda Medlin and Matt
Drago
