Sumter Item launches store featuring branded products, merchandise

Why wait until Jan. 1 to start something new?

At The Sumter Item, we are always trying to innovate and do two things: bring our readers reliable, fair, quality local journalism and make that process sustainable so we can keep this 129-year-old local, family owned small business running.

In that vein, The Sumter Item is excited to officially launch The Sumter Item Merchandise Store. Subscribers got a first look and exclusive soft opening Monday night in The Item's weekly From The Editor's desk newsletter, and there are still items on sale to the public.

Order something for Grandpa to give him some nostalgia for a lifetime of supporting his local newspaper. Get a last-minute Christmas gift for your friend who's expecting. Grab a blanket for those cold nights watching your kids play rec and high school sports. And one of the Item staff's personal favorites, get your dog a nifty bandanna!

Go to www.theitem.com/store to browse and shop now.

Why make a merchandise store?

Firstly, we want to celebrate Sumter and give you a way to, too. This is a way to both represent your community and help make local journalism sustainable in an uncertain time.

More than 2,900 newspapers have closed since 2005. On the nation's currently trajectory, as studied by The State of Local News 2023 report out of Northwestern University, we're on track to have lost a third of this country's newspapers by next year. Residents in more than half of U.S. counties have no, or very limited, access to a reliable local news source, and there are 1,652 counties across the nation that have one remaining local news source.

The Sumter Item and Sumter County are one of those.

The Sumter Item Merchandise Store is built with the capability to expand and incorporate new and different items, such as collaborations with local artists and fundraising campaigns to support other small businesses and charities.

What do proceeds of sales go toward?

Nominal proceeds from the sale of these items that don't go to pay for our costs to produce and ship your item will go to ensuring The Sumter Item can continue to operate and support its journalists and staff amid a time of uncertainty and strife for newspapers around the country. With advertising decreasing and operating costs, such as the price of paper, continuing to rise, The Sumter Item is the only remaining source of daily local news in its three-county coverage area. This store is a way to both support quality local journalism and show pride for the Sumter community.

Can I stop by the Item office to pick up my items?

The Sumter Item does not bulk order any of our products. We have set up this store to print on demand to help ensure no products go to waste. When you order an item, our vendor will create the item and ship it to you directly, which will help eliminate potential waste and extra shipping costs and time.

Go to www.theitem.com/store to browse and shop Sumter-centric items today.