Sand Creek Custom Wear celebrates grand reopening
Greater Sandpoint Chamber officials welcome Sand Creek Custom Wear owners and staff to the organization at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured, from left, are
Steve Sanchez, Aaron Vahrenwald, Alyssa Lindber, Elli Vahrenwald, Rich Wieth, Delaney Bookout, Darby Swanson, Reagan Lynch, Julia Libbers, Ari Walker, Alisha Kowalski and Danielle Resso. Also pictured is Rambo the dog.
Photo courtesy GREATER SANDPOINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PONDERAY — Sand Creek Custom Wear welcomed friends, customers and community members to celebrate with owners and staff at the June 18 grand reopening of their new shop location in Ponderay.
The event marked an exciting new chapter for the locally owned business, which has been a trusted name in custom-decorated apparel in the Sandpoint area for over a decade.
Guests were treated to refreshments, prize giveaways and live demonstrations of embroidery and screen printing in action — giving people a behind-the-scenes look at how custom hats, shirts, jackets and more are brought to life.
Owners Elli and Aaron Vahrenwald, who took over the business in 2021, were on hand to greet customers old and new, sharing their excitement for the expanded space and the opportunities it brings. "We've always loved being a part of this community," said Elli. "This new shop gives us the room to grow and continue offering high-quality, custom-made apparel for local businesses, schools, teams and families."
Sand Creek Custom Wear has a local legacy of craftsmanship with deep roots in the Sandpoint area, originally starting as Earle's Embroidery & Design before evolving into the full-service shop it is today. The business specializes in screen printing, embroidery, digital printing and custom patches — providing personalized apparel for everything from business uniforms to family reunions and community fundraisers.
"Our mission is to help people wear their stories," said Aaron. "Whether it's a logo that represents a business, a T-shirt for a charity run, or a cap with your kid's team on it — those things matter. It's about belonging and pride in the things we do together."
Beyond offering custom-decorated apparel, Sand Creek Custom Wear partners with other small businesses, schools, nonprofits and event organizers in the region. The team believes that outfitting local organizations isn't just about logos and garments — it's about helping build identity, connection and community spirit.
As they look to the future, Elli and Aaron hope to continue growing alongside their customers. "We're so grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us," Elli said. "This is more than just a shop — it's a place where local stories are stitched and printed into something people can hold onto. We're honored to be a part of that."
Sand Creek Custom Wear is now open at their new location in Ponderay, and customers are encouraged to stop in for a visit, chat with the team and see what's possible when creativity meets craftsmanship.
For more information, visit sandcreekcustomwear.com, call 208-263-6790, stop by the showroom at 405 Vermeer Drive in Ponderay, or follow them on social media.