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MyLocker completes $14M expansion in Corktown, will hire 200 employees

Detroit-based company MyLocker held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning after completing its $14 million headquarters expansion. The expansion at 1300 Rosa Parks Blvd. in the Corktown neighborhood means 200 more jobs. MyLocker, a manufacturer and online store which sells custom apparel and products, is expected to have a total of 1,200 employees by 2022, nearly tripling its current employment. MyLocker founder and CEO Robert Hake said it's been exciting seeing the expansion unfold. In the past six months, MyLocker has knocked down a 20,000-square-foot building in order to build its new,110,000-square-foot facility — where they will be working and producing new merchandise. Hake, a Detroit native, started in business after graduating from Michigan State University in 1995. The first product he created was an MSU sports blanket, which had polar fleece on one side and a water-repellent shell on the back side. "We saw the struggles and challenges related to inventory and the thought came, 'How do you take inventory out of the volunteer clubs' hands?' The answer was you create online stores, you have a virtual catalog with products with their logos on it, and you find a way to efficiently create the unit of one," Hake said. The result? MyLocker, whose website advertises "thousands of custom products for your team, business or event" that can be personalized with a logo with no minimum quantity. The company was founded in 1998 in Warren and eventually moved to a group of three facilities next to the Trumbull and Porter Hotel in 2013. The expansion was made possibly by a grant and loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund and incentive packages from the City of Detroit and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. After turning down offers to relocate outside of Michigan, Hake said he's excited to be staying in Detroit — especially with all the changes happening throughout the city. "We're living through the revitalization," he said. Everyday as I drive into work, I am passing construction crews that are fixing abandon buildings, street lights are going on, roads are being paved. It's been incredible ... from where it's been when we bought the facility, to what this area is like now ... it's been really cool to be a part of." Attending the ribbon cutting was Mayor Mike Duggan, who also toured the new facility. "This is the Detroit story ... Rob had this vision that you could make customizable apparel right here in the United States," said Duggan. "He started out in this little space on Rosa Parks where nobody knew what he was doing. Now, everybody around the world is coming to see what's accomplished." Currently 75 percent of MyLocker employees are Detroit residents, and two-thirds are female "With MyLocker's incredible popularity and growth, Robert Hake could have taken his company anywhere — and he currently has had offers," said Duggan in a statement. "The fact that he has committed to expanding his workforce here in Corktown sends a message to other companies that Detroit is a great place to grow your business." MyLocker moved to Detroit five years ago with 60 employees. Today, it employs over 450. Working her way up to operations manager for MyLocker, Angelica Mendoza, 27, said she's very happy and proud to be a part of the growing company. "It's amazing to know that so many people can come together and work for that one goal," Mendoza said. "For me, I liked being here because it was close to home and everybody was so friendly. Knowing that we're going to amplify that with all the new people that are going to start working here ... it's empowering for Detroit." MyLocker, 1300 Rosa Park Blvd., Detroit is holding job fairs through Saturday from 1-5 p.m. Those who are interested are asked to bring proof of ID and can get more information onsite. Shinola names the company's first female CEO