COVID-19 silver lining: local screen printing shop sales jump during pandemic

Little Mountain Print Shoppe has been around Lincoln for years - but it wasn't until the pandemic hit that sales began to spike up for the business.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A silver lining as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Lincoln and communities around the nation – a local artist says his business is doing better than ever.

Local screen printer Joe Horacek, who created, owns and operates Little Mountain Print Shoppe says the best part about his job is seeing the ideas in his mind come to life onto the clothing he sells.

“Our t-shirts alone are walking advertisements,” Horacek says. “When I see someone around town wearing my shirts, it’s so exciting.”

Horacek began Little Mountain Print Shoppe in his basement 11 years ago. Now, he owns a successful storefront on 33rd near ‘B’ street, in mid-Lincoln.

“Screen pr

inting is just the medium I like to use and t-shirts and hoodies are just the canvas for my artwork,” Horacek tells CHannel 8 Eyewitness News as he uses a press to paint hand-mixed ink onto soft, cotton tees.

Surprisingly, Horacek says that despite the pandemic, his business is doing incredibly well. 

“In 2019 we had our best year ever. In 2020, we’re up 30% from last year and you know, I don’t really know why exactly.”

While he isn’t completely sure what has sparked the increased interest in his original, earthy design in recent months, he’s not complaining about it. What he does know is that social media has played a significant role in the expansion of his business and client base in recent years. Horacek says he sends his designs all over the world.

“Probably one of the best things that’s really ever happened to small business is the social media platform,” he says. “Every like, comment and share counts.”

From a business standpoint, Horacek says it’s important to trust the process and only worry about what you can control. Having faith in his talents, experience and appreciation for art is what he focuses on – as well as surrounding himself by friends, family and other local creatives.

“My encouragement is don’t be afraid to try something new, that’s part of growth. Sometimes you fail and sometimes you succeed,” Horacek says. “It’s not really how hard you fall, its how quick you get back up.”

Horacek says he’s incredibly blessed and thankful to the Lincoln community for supporting his art and business all these years, and he hopes that support will continue for him and other small businesses as well. 

Little Mountain Print Shoppe can be found on Facebook, Instagram (@littlemountainprint) or on their website and shop.