🦀 MD-Brand and Towson’s Route One Apparel Announce Acquisition

MD-Brand and Towson’s Route One Apparel Announce Acquisition

Route One Apparel acquired by Baltimore-based MD-Brand, owner of Puppie Love and seven other lifestyle apparel brands

Baltimore, Md. (January 24, 2025) – Route One Apparel, the area’s original online source for trendy Maryland pride apparel and accessories, and Baltimore-based apparel and accessory distributor Maryland Brand Management, Inc. (MD-Brand) today announced the finalization of an acquisition that brings Route One Apparel under the MD-Brand umbrella, which now includes eight lifestyle brands, including Puppie Love, Kittie Kittie, Wear MD, and Live Oak Brand among others.

Under the new strategic partnership, MD-Brand will oversee all Route One Apparel operations, logistics and growth initiatives. All current Route One Apparel staff will be retained, and operations will move from the company’s current headquarters in Towson to MD-Brand’s 75,000 sq. ft. location at 6500 Quad Avenue in Baltimore on a date to be determined.

Route One Apparel Founder Ali von Paris will remain with the company in the new role of Chief Visionary Officer. She will continue to be the company’s main spokesperson and brand ambassador, focusing on promotion, community outreach and strategic partnerships.

Founded in 2010, Route One Apparel has grown to offer more than 3,000 unique products that express Maryland pride, as well as officially licensed designs for brands including Old Bay, National Bohemian, Utz, Domino Sugar, Morton Salt, the Washington Capitals, and more. In recent years, the company has also introduced custom product production and this new partnership with MD-Brand will enable Route One Apparel to produce a significantly greater variety of custom products in-house.

Established in 2006 with entities dating back to 1988, MD-Brand brings 35 years of manufacturing and importing experience to the deal. The family-owned apparel and accessory distributor has the largest screen printing and embroidery facility in the Baltimore area. The company is best recognized as the owner of Puppie Love, the dog-themed apparel brand that donates 10 percent of its net profits to animal shelters and rescue groups to support dog adoptions. Since its launch, the company has donated more than $800,000 to charities around the country. With the addition of Route One Apparel, MD-Brand now operates eight e-commerce stores out of its warehouse and provides merchandise to retail stores and other customers in all 50 states.

“I started this journey 15 years ago, in my college dorm room, selling one t-shirt online, and I never could have dreamed back then just how big Route One Apparel would become,” said Ali von Paris. “From securing licensing agreements with local, national, and even global brands; to moving into our own headquarters and hosting our own public sales events; to branching out into making custom products, I am extremely proud of all we’ve accomplished. Now, to ensure our continued growth, it has become necessary to bring in a strategic partner. I’m excited to pass the operations and logistics of Route One Apparel to Garrett Pfeifer and MD-Brand, as I know this move will give us additional resources, including a significantly larger footprint and increased production capabilities, to meet our current demand for custom products and pursue even more growth opportunities. I’m proud to be joining forces with another local, family-owned business that shares our passion for Maryland pride and making a difference in the community.” 

“We are honored and pleased to welcome Route One Apparel to the MD-Brand family of brands,” says Garrett Pfeifer, president, MD-Brand. “Ali and her team have built a wonderful company that is beloved by its customers and community. We are happy to give Ali the support she needs to continue pursuing her passion for the creative and promotional aspects of the business, while we focus on expanding capabilities to prepare for even more product lines and enhanced customer service. We look forward to delivering the same quality products, innovative designs, and community focus Route One Apparel has always been known for.”

Route One Apparel was represented by Seller’s Counsel, Gary Leibowitz of Cole Schotz and Investment Banker, Erv Terwilliger of Tower Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  

About Route One Apparel

Route One Apparel is the area’s original online source for trendy Maryland pride apparel and accessories. Founded by Ali von Paris in 2010 from within her dorm room at the University of Maryland, Route One Apparel now offers more than 3,000 unique products and designs that let customers make a “STATE-ment” and express their love of their state, city, professional and collegiate sports teams. Available online and at select retailers, Route One Apparel merchandise can be seen sported by local icons and fans of all ages across Maryland. Route One Apparel also collaborates with businesses and organizations to create custom designs and products. To learn more, visit www.RouteOneApparel.com.

About Maryland Brand Management, Inc. (MD-Brand)
Maryland Brand Management, Inc. (MD-Brand) is an apparel and accessory distributor with the largest screen printing and embroidery facility in the Baltimore area, occupying 75,000 square feet in east Baltimore. Beyond screen printing and embroidery, MD-Brand has new Direct-to-Garment and Direct-to-Film digital printing capabilities, as well as sublimation printing on technical performance fabrics. In addition to providing merchandise to retail stores and other customers in all 50 states, MD-Brand currently operates eight e-commerce stores out of its Baltimore warehouse.