One of our founders used to interview candidates from all over the U.S. who were considering a move to Fort Wayne. They would always ask what she thought of the city, (sometimes with a snarky tone) and she would genuinely assure them that it's not that bad! This disarmed people and made them laugh, and thus, a t-shirt brand was born.

Old Fort Tee Co. was founded in 2017 by Fort Wayne native (Melissa) and a transplant who grew up in nearby mid-Michigan (Kirsten), who thought Fort Wayne needed a t-shirt company. Melissa is a graphic designer and photographer by trade, and Kirsten spent many years working as a merchant/buyer for several beloved American brands. Together they concept and design the graphics for Old Fort's shirts and paper goods, and have a lot of fun doing it. They know when something makes them both laugh, it's a winner!