Racing to awareness: Break the Chain opens Sublimity apparel store

By Mary Owen

Break the Chain Apparel has a new home with what owner Tammi Burns calls “a racing feel.”

Concrete floors, diamond plate on the wall and light switch covers, and a set of Mickey Thompson slicks to hold open its sign – a design, Burns acknowledges, that appeals to all ages and genders.

“Lime green and chrome fixtures, a tire clock, and pictures of the Break the Chain Monster truck crushing, bullying, are on the walls,” she said.

“We also have our Break the Chain bed racer set up as our sale rack and an awesome display case with our trophy from the Sublimity Harvest Festival with pictures of our Racing to Break the Chain team drivers, and much more on display!”

Burns opened the store at 102 S. Center, Suite B, “right next door to Catherine Hemshorn Country Financial and across from Ditter Square” after attending weekly meetings with the Santiam Referral Group at De Nova Café in Sublimity.

The group, started by Hemshorn, began to meet to discuss ways to support local businesses in today’s tough economy, Burns said.

“Through this networking group, Cathy and I realized that by her sharing a vacant office space with Break the Chain Apparel, it could be a real plus for both of us and the community,” Burns said. “The rest is history!”

Break the Chain received the space on Oct. 13 and opened to the public on Oct. 31.

“Once again our friends and family stepped up and combined their efforts to get the store open quickly,” she said.

A grand opening will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 2, with a special surprise ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m.

“You’re definitely not going to want to miss this!” Burns said with a bit of mystery.

The celebration will offer super sales, drawings for a free T-shirt, food and fun.

“Also, our Racing to Break the Chain team will be there to sign autographs with their race cars, trucks and ‘Hope,’ our Monster display truck,” Burns said. “The businesses of Sublimity will also be having an open house the same day, so there will be lots of fun and deals going on all around town.”

Kaine Horman of the Kyron Horman Foundation will also attend to give away “Bring Kyron Home” awareness items, Burns said.

On Dec. 3, Break the Chain will deck out Hope, the Monster truck, for Sublimity’s first annual Christmas in the Country Light Parade.

Since she has opened a storefront, Burns said local children drop in after school for a riddle and a piece of candy.

“We have between five and 15 kids every day,” she said. “We want them to know that the Break the Chain store is a safe place for them to go. They like the candy, but LOVE the riddles!”

Burns said adults also like to visit.

“We have our regulars that come in for popcorn and conversation,” she said. “Break the Chain is a destination, not your average retail store.”

Break the Chain was part of the anti-drug and anti-bullying parade and assembly at Mari-Linn School in Lyons.

“And we have taught three freshman classes at Stayton High School on teen dating and domestic violence,” Burns said.

“We continue to educate the public on issues like bullying, domestic violence, addiction and child abuse.”
Break the Chain Apparel gives a voice to those who are afraid to ask for help, being hurt by someone else or by their own hand, or who have lost their battle and have emerged on the other side.

“Together we can change minds and hearts,” Burns relays on her website. “It starts with one voice!”
Burns invites everyone to come out to the new store.

“We love the opportunity to show our messages of change, and give voice to the issues by simply getting dressed,” she said.