MOUNT GREENWOOD — Even with sunny skies predicted, you're still going to need to wear a shirt on Sunday at the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade.
And South Side Irish Imports is the exclusive home of officially licensed apparel for the 2015 parade, according to Linda Gorman and her husband, Ron.
The couple own the store at 3446 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood and is the sole vendor of the T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats with the official South Side Irish Parade logo this year.
"We were honored that they [parade organizers] asked us," said Linda Gorman, who also operates a South Side Irish Imports store in suburban Tinley Park.
Upon returning in 2012, the parade organizers set up a small storefront at 10934 S. Western Ave. in Morgan Park. The seasonal store sold official parade apparel along with raffle tickets to support the event, street pole banners and South Side Irish Parade flags.
This year, organizers are operating without the storefront, leaving merchandise sales to South Side Irish Imports. Raffle tickets and other items are being handled through individual supporters of the event rather than the brick-and-mortar shop.
In exchange, a portion of the proceeds from parade-specific clothing will help off-set the cost of the event. Store owners have also vowed to donate $1 from every parade-branded item sold to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
The foundation was named honoree of the 2015 parade on Feb. 5. The nonprofit organization raises money for the families of fallen police officers, helping pay for tuition and other expenses.
Get Behind the Vest is the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's latest endeavor. It seeks to raise $4 million to replace an estimated 8,000 outdated bulletproof vests currently in use by the Chicago Police Department.
The effort has already drawn support throughout the community, as schools have raised money for Get Behind the Vest through a series of dress-down day fundraisers. A pancake breakfast was also held last month with the proceeds benefiting the cause.
As for the owners of South Side Irish Imports, Linda Gorman said she's happy that the parade has returned to the neighborhood and is honored to be able to partner with the local celebration of Irish heritage.
"It's a nice relationship," she said.
The 2015 South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at noon on Sunday. The parade starts at 103rd Street and Western Avenue in Beverly and travels south to 115th Street in Morgan Park.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: