Holliston Company Expanding ROSTER Chain

The following is a press release issued by , a Holliston-based specialty retailer that owns the ROSTER chain of sports apparel stores:

Color Inc. announced last week that ROSTER plans to open new stores this summer at the Providence Place Mall and the CambridgeSide Galleria. ROSTER offers a wide selection of sports lifestyle apparel, which "combines fashion, lifestyle brands, and licensed team product together for the first time."

ROSTER carries leading sports lifestyle brands such as Touch by Alyssa Milano, 47 Brand, Reebok, Mitchell & Ness, Old Time Hockey, Adidas, New Era, Majestic, Original Retro Brand and more. The store features merchanides from all of New England’s major professional sports teams: Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics.

“The sports lifestyle category is a new phenomenon, and we’re the only store bringing this type of quality product to market,” said Al Shameklis, Color Inc.'s president and chief operating pfficer. ”Our clothing items are fun, comfortable, and casual, and our retro designs offer a particularly unique look.”

While sports apparel has been historically geared toward the male audience, ROSTER carries a wide selection for women.

“Our women’s line is very important; it’s all about fashion, feel and fit. A woman can express her team allegiance wearing something that’s made specifically for her,” said Shameklis. “And, for men, we offer something that’s a significant upgrade from your typical licensed apparel.”

Today, sports lifestyle manufacturers are looking to this category to add a new dimension to the traditional sports licensed market.

“Until now, most licensed product has been sold through your average sporting goods stores,” said , executive vice president of Color Inc. “Sports lifestyle merchandisers want to sell its more fashionable lines in boutiques. That’s where ROSTER comes in, its America’s first sports boutique”

While this is only ROSTER’s fourth and fifth stores, the company’s foundation is built upon a 35-year history. Its founder signed the first specialty lease at Faneuil Hall Marketplace back in 1976. Since then, ROSTER’s parent company, Color Inc., has grown to 45 stores, including 12 in downtown Boston and eight in Faneuil Hall.

“We’re a company with a passion for retail, and we’re thrilled to open at CambridgeSide and Providence Place,” said Shameklis.

ROSTER has an existing locations at Natick Collection, Legacy Place in Dedham, and Faneuil Hall.