Sun City Grand dresses residents

Sun City Grand residents will soon wear their community pride on their sleeves. Literally.

Sun City Grand officials announced plans for community-emblazoned memorabilia for sale within the next couple of weeks at a workshop meeting of the community's governing board Thursday.

The items will include polo-type collared shirts, T-shirts, tote bags and hats, said Meda Cates, membership supervisor.

"We're so excited, we're probably a couple weeks from having Sun City logo items for sale," she said. "It will be a very tastefully embroidered emblem. It won't be too far out but yet it will get our name out there," she said.

Cates said the items wouldn't be sold for much profit. She estimated $25 for polo shirts, $10 for T-shirts and $12 for hats and tote bags.

"Our idea is advertising. We're only going to mark them up two or three or four dollars from what the cost is," she said.

Cates said items selection will likely expand based on resident suggestions.

"We're just going to start out very simply, and we're going to have the volunteers (at the Welcome Center) jot down the comments from people who come through," she said. "We want to hear the comments that people have who come through so that if this is successful as we think it will be then we can expand."

The items will be sold at the Welcome Center at the Palm Center. A glass display case will likely be purchased to hold the items and locks will be placed on cabinets in the office there to store inventory, she said.

In addition to the Sun City Grand logo items, residents will likely decide on a community mascot in the near future, said Executive Director Mitzi Mills.

"You'll get to pick what it's going to be. We'll be putting three fluffy, stuffed animals that will wear a Sun City Grand T-shirt that you can buy for your grandchildren or anybody you want it for," she said. "You can vote on which one should represent Sun City Grand."

The stuffed mascots will also be available at the Welcome Center.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.