December 30, 2005

Banana "Groupies" Gather in Bunches for The Funky Banana™ Official Fan Club

Huntingdon, TN - Banana Groupies are gathering in bunches from all over West Tennessee. The Funky Banana™ Official Fan Club membership drive began December 20 and is already nearing 100 "Groupies" strong! Owner Skip Halsey commented, "The response we have gotten in the first five weeks of being open is overwhelming."

The Funky Banana™ Shirt Company formed the alliance in response to the multiple-repeat customers who are just amazed at what all they can do. Customers pay the $10.00 membership fee and receive a free Funky Banana™ Official Fan Club "Banana Groupie" t-shirt, and a year-long membership entitling them to frequent shopper values. The cards are redeemable for a free t-shirt after the "Groupie" has purchased 6 shirts, and cards are replaceble all year long! Private "Groupie" sales events are planned throughout the year (watch the website for dates!)

The Carribean-themed business sports an island atmosphere complete with tiki hiuts and steel drum raggae music in the background. Shoppers are mezmerized by the motiff, and most have difficulty leaving without uttering the word "coooollll." The business itself is much deeper than atmosphere, however. Offering their line of name-sake logo apparel, their own Banana South Outfitters line of designs, and the company's soon-to-be-famous monkey line... they actually specialize in custom-design apparel for businesses, ball teams, racing teams, schools, special events, family reunions, churches - whatever the occasion! Walk-in customers have the opportunity of choosing just one shirt to "bananaify" their own personal wardrobe - or take advantage of the "'nanner's" retail bulk pricing for their whole baseball team!

Many found custom photo shirts, custom team wear, or name-personalized "Granny's Gang" shirts created at The Funky Banana™ wrapped under the Christmas tree this year. Customers settle in on stools under the grass-roof tiki hut bar to watch the creation begin. On-duty graphic artists design your request while you wait. Most shirts are delivered hot - "to order" - within 5-10 minutes.. while custom requests normally take approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. Owner/graphic artist Kristi Halsey giggled, "It's great. What a treat the customers give us all when they walk out the door with something they are so absolutely thrilled with." Tiffany Riggs, graphic artist, chimed in, "Amazing is more like it. I've been buried behind a desk at my computer for years... this personal, one-on-one experience is somthing I'm just basking in. I love it! Yeah!"

Banana shoppers can browse through a catalogue of designs - that includes team specific designs for all five school districts of Carroll County, Gleason, Martin, Camden, Big Sandy, Milan, Greenfield, Northside, JSCC, Henry County and more. If yours isn't already in the book, just ask... and give them about 15 minutes! Many schools and organizations take advantage of the Banana's absolute no-risk fund-raising opportunities - call today to find out how!

More out of the "lime light," The Funky Banana™ also offers an array of other products and services - including vinyl vehicle graphics, window decals, signs, and banners. Patrons can choose from standard or full-color vinyls for vehicles, signs or banners. An in-house, full-service print shop can produce anything for the customer from business cards to brochures to books; and the business also is an authorized Carlson Craft and Royal Imprints dealer for thermography wedding, social and business invitations and stationery. Full graphics services include website design and hosting, marketing and promotions, and ad agency services.

Still not enough? Browse through mounds of catalogues with personalized pens, pencils, notepads, mugs, tote bags, sports bags and more, more, more... from the area's official ASI Product Resource Professional. Embroidered caps, jackets, custom applique' and more... all the things you always wondered where it came from... now you know.

Huntingdon couple Skip and Kristi Halsey have been in business for 4 years, only opening the retail store front November 5. Marketing strategies, tour schedules, Internet sales, and local response pyramiding over the years led the Halseys to determine that it was almost a "by-popular-demand" thing to do. Since opening, the couple has already been approached by a Myrtle Beach-based company inquiring to purchase the first franchise opportunity. Efforts are being escalated with incorporation and other legalities to accomodate the company's request. Kristi slyly commented, "I like to dream big, but I'd like to think that we'll eventually have the name recognition like Old Navy or American Eagle... just give us time."

Visit The Funky Banana™ at 71 Veterans Hwy. North in Huntingdon - across from Wal-Mart Super Center, call 731-986-4844 or 800-251-7179 or visit the website at www.TheFunkyBanana.com. Watch for the all-new website... coming January 15! Complete with full shopping cart, news, photo galleries, and in-store specials!