A new clothing and shoe store exclusive to Alabama has come to downtown Tuscaloosa. The Pants Store opened April 5 and hopes to fill a void in Tuscaloosa’s clothing market.

“I was a student at the University of Alabama,” said Michael Gee, president and co-owner of the Pants Store and 1997 UA graduate. “I love Tuscaloosa. There was a void in the market here, and we felt like we could meet that void.”

Taylor Gee founded The Pants Store in Leeds, Ala. in 1950. Taylor Gee was a pant jobber and would drive around the southeast and sell his pants to retailers. People began stopping by his warehouse in Leeds and buying pants from him, and it soon became know as The Pants Store.

Gee said the location on University Blvd., right across from Mellow Mushroom, was a perfect location.

Colbie Davis, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said she has had a good experience with The Pants Store and is excited to have it in Tuscaloosa.

“It is a good place to find a bargain,” she said. “I’ll be here this summer so I am excited to have a new place to experience shopping.”

Because it is more of a family oriented store, Gee said they have a broader range of items and styles, varying from infants to grandmothers, from church shoes to shoes for the lake. Students agree with Gee when he said there is something for everyone.

“I like that they have a variety of clothing to fit all styles,” said Caroline Lassiter, a sophomore majoring in education. “Granolas, hipsters and trendy people can find something to wear. They have good sales, and in general, the clothing is not unreasonably priced.”

Lassiter said she was looking forward to having the store in Tuscaloosa.

“It is great for college kids because of the prices and sales,” she said. “There are not many stores like it, and it will be more convenient than having to go to Birmingham to shop there.”

Price is something Gee said the store tries to take into consideration.

“Students are on budgets, and I believe you can get more for the dollar here — more bang for your buck,” he said. “You can’t find better goods at better prices. We don’t charge $99 for a shirt for a girl to wear to a party on Thursday night. We are more in the $20 to $30 range.”

Chi Omega sorority held a philanthropy event at The Pants Store last week, and sophomore Lou Ellen Thompson said the store did a great job with the event.

“They opened just for us, and a percentage of the money from the items they sold went to our philanthropy,” she said. “They were super nice, and they have great service. They know how to run their business.” Thompson said she also really likes the assortment of clothes The Pants Store offered.

“They have preppy, dressy stuff but also down to earth clothes, and it all comes in a range of prices,” she said.

Mallie Drew, a senior majoring in business, said that although she has not been to the new store, she is excited to have The Pants Store in Tuscaloosa.

“If it is anything like the store in Birmingham, it will be a great addition to Tuscaloosa,” she said.

Gee said he was thrilled with how the store has been received by Tuscaloosa and that the store’s success had exceeded his expectations.

“It has been open just 10 days, and we’ve had an excellent response so far,” he said. “I treasured my time at UA, and I’m glad to be back in town. We are just excited to be here and looking forward to many years in Tuscaloosa.”

The Pants Store is located 2223 University Blvd. and is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.