Series Six founder Sami Maurer
The idea for Series Six, a St. Louis–inspired apparel company, first came to 28-year-old founder Sami Maurer when she was in school. While at Alabama’s Spring Hill College, she noticed the campus was flooded with students sporting their hometown’s name on T-shirts. She wanted that.
Courtesy of Series Six
“It sparked the idea that it could be something I could bring back to St. Louis,” she says. Then just 20 years old, Maurer came back to St. Louis, created a shirt of her own, and wore it out. When a woman asked her where the shirt was from, Maurer told her that she created it. It was a moment of validation that led to Maurer posting about her new brand on social media, starting an Etsy account, selling shirts at local St. Louis events, and using her parents' home as a make-shift warehouse for her T-shirts. She spent the next four years trying to get the word out about her brand.
Now, Series Six will soon have its own storefront on The Boulevard, located in Richmond Heights. As the winner of the Pop Local’s recent competition, Maurer will receive three months of free rent to test a brick-and-mortar space starting in May, after beating out more than 75 other businesses who applied. The program also includes marketing assistance and business coaching.
“We were already thinking about opening up a storefront, but we had to put that dream on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Maurer says, noting that they were looking for smaller spaces in less appealing areas to remain within budget.
Courtesy of Series Six
The label is known for its vintage and retro designs. In addition to selling St. Louis–themed apparel (with themes around local neighborhoods or sports teams) and a charity shirt of the month, Series Six partners with local businesses to offer specific collections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they also sold a St. Louis restaurant collection to help offset the lockdown’s economic impact on small businesses. Through a partnership with Left Hand promotions, the purchase of T-shirts under the “Support Local” section helps benefit the staff of each establishment.
“We print out on tri-blend T-shirts so you are comfortable while wearing your shirt with St. Louis pride,” Maurer says.
The name “Series Six” came to Maurer after a lot of careful thinking. “Six has always been a family number and Game Six of the World Series was an important game for the St. Louis Cardinals because it led to their World Series Championship win in 2011,” she says.
Courtesy of Series Six
Series Six's Budweiser collection
In addition to offering in-store promotions and private events, the new storefront will host “‘Give Back Nights,” where a percentage of sales will go to local charities, including something the brand has in the works with Anheuser-Busch (who they recently released a clothing collection with).
“There were some awesome local finalists. We were honored to be among other good local makers for the Pop Local program,” Maurer says.
