Coloma’s David Johnson is no stranger to taking a risk in order to do something different.

With his flooring business falling into hard times following the housing market crash in 2008, the entrepreneur took a chance to purchase Eau Claire’s Casual Tees from the previous owner — in spite of having no prior experience in the clothing or printing business before, Johnson said.

“I about lost everything in the market crash, to tell the truth, but since we [my family and I] got a hold of this business we have never looked back,” Johnson said.

With years of success in the printing industry at his back, the Coloma man is preparing to write another major chapter in his career by moving the family business to The Grand Old City.

Johnson will soon relocate both of Casual Tees’ locations in Eau Claire and Coloma to Dowagiac, setting up shop inside the former Dowagiac Commercial Press building, located nearby the downtown railroad at 100 Lagrange St. Johnson, joined by members of his family, is currently preparing the building for the big move. Johnson said he looks to have the new location up and running by the end of August.

The business owner recently acquired the former printing shop — which was once owned by the famed Round Oak Stove Company — after noticing it was available for purchase during a visit to town, he said. As his current operation in Eau Claire was rapidly outgrowing its current digs, the move to the larger building in Dowagiac felt right, Johnson said.

“I am excited about the move, I really am,” said Justin, Johnson’s son and main graphic designer for the company. “You can see this town is growing, and we want to grow our business alongside it. This is a great opportunity for us.”

The business, first established in 1993, offers custom screen printing and embroidery for T-shirts, and also produces trophies and promotional items for individuals and businesses, Johnson said. The company also produces its own line of designer shirts, Utlaw Gear.

As a member of the Pokagon Band, the move to Dowagiac feels like a natural one as well, Johnson said. In fact, the tribe has been a big customer of the business, with the company doing lots of work in the past with Four Winds Casino, Johnson said.

While still weeks removed from opening, the business owner said he and his family have already received a warm welcome by many in the local business community and are looking forward to offering the company’s services to Dowagiac.

“We want to be a positive part of the community,” Johnson said.