Karen at EORA
They are the kind of t-shirts that make people smile. Appropriately named SweeTea, these pigment-dyed, soft-colored t-shirts embody the true unique character of Southern dialect. If it's not "Well, butter my buns and call me biscuit" that stops to make people laugh, then it's the chance to reminisce and associate each shirt with family members who help perpetuate unique Southern sayings, like Aunt Mildred and her expression "I Swanee!"
Karen Hall and Susan Bashford, the founders of SweeTea, came up with the idea after marrying two Southern boys whose expressions left them sometimes "In a Tizzy." Steve, Karen's husband, is the king of Southern slang, and his hilarious sayings certainly ignited the duo's interest. Now decades later, these two relocated Yankees have embraced this unique dialect and want to share it with those who, like them, "Weren't born in the South but got here as fast as they could."
When it comes to running the business, Karen and Susan put all of their family members to work. Susan's daughter Maggie, a student at Duke University, is the webmaster. Shipping, packing, and tagging have often wound up in the husbands' hands, while Susan's daughter Sarah puts her artistic talents to work on graphic design.
Most people don't just buy one shirt, they buy two or three at a time, sometimes even off your back. Susan was literally chased down in the Salt Lake City airport by a woman who had to know where she could find the "Hissy Fit" shirt she was wearing. When SweeTea first began in Raleigh, NC, "Bless yer heart" was the hot shipping item. Six months later, there are over two dozen sayings with new ones added every month. You have no idea what will wind up on a shirt next!
SweeTea has premiere dealers covering the entire South. To find a SweeTea shirt near you, click the Dealer link above.
Just kidding! Susan and Johnny's Halloween costumes way back yonder
Our Southern lexicographer, Karen's husband Steve
Susan's daughter Sarah