Band Shoppe and Pearison Inc.'s History
Band Shoppe was founded by Chuck and Susan Pearison as Pearison Music Service, a small music store in Poseyville, Indiana. Located in a garage next to the Pearison’s home, the company with a staff of five sold and repaired musical instruments for schools. 1979 was the start of selling marching uniforms and accessories. These products were sold from a small black and white flyer that was mailed to three states under the name Band Shoppe.
Since 1970, Band Shoppe proudly continues a tradition of quality products, prompt delivery, and outstanding customer service to music educators and guard instructors in all 50 states and around the globe. Band Shoppe is always striving to bring you the best marching and color guard products on the market.
The 80s
In 1982 the company’s first full-color Band Shoppe Catalog was printed and mailed to all fifty states. The 72-page catalog featured shoes, color guard uniforms, marching band uniforms, show flags, and parade banners. The music store and instrument repair shop closed in 1985. The company opened a new warehouse in 1985 and a manufacturing plant in 1986 in Cynthiana. Pearison Music Service became Pearison Inc. and Band Shoppe continued to grow.
The 90s
The early 1990s were a period of rapid growth. The company bought a building in Cynthiana to expand manufacturing and 10 acres of land just outside of town. In September of 1996 ground was broken on a new 27,500 square foot office, warehouse, and manufacturing facility. The company opened Embroidery Direct to sell sports team, cheer and corporate apparel. The first e-commerce website was launched for Band Shoppe. In 1998 Gerber CAD systems, a Gerber Cutter, and Barudan multi-head embroidery machines were added in major upgrades to manufacturing capabilities.
The 00s
Continued strong growth throughout the decade helped employment grow to 85 people. The company’s Band Shoppe division became a leader in the marching industry. In 2008 the revolutionary Airblade twirling prop was introduced and became an instant best seller. Cheer and dance uniforms started to become a growing part of our business. Big investments were made in software and manufacturing equipment to better serve our customers.
Pearison Inc. Today
In 2012 the company’s third division, Superior Cheer, was founded with a catalog and website. The athletic team and corporate uniform business Embroidery Direct was renamed Superior Team. Construction was completed in 2014 on a 20,000 square foot manufacturing plant addition at the Cynthiana headquarters and all Pearison, Inc. employees were now under one roof.
Today, Pearison, Inc’s three divisions Band Shoppe, Superior Cheer, and Superior Team continue to serve customers around the world.