CHASE BOTTORF/THE EXPRESS From left, Niki Swartwood, Rachel Killinger and Catt Seid pose inside Rachel K. Creations on Main Street in downtown Lock Haven.

LOCK HAVEN — A fresh new clothing business has opened up in downtown Lock Haven.

Rachel K Creations is the newest member of the downtown boutique business realm. The business specializes in custom print merchandise.

Owner and operator, Rachel Killinger, focuses on custom made-to-order items in clothing prints for men, women and kids. They have an array of solid colors, acid washed, bleach washed, various tie-dye colors and designs ranging from seasonal tanks to long and short t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts/hoodies, pants such as joggers and more. All sizes ranging from newborn onesies through XXXXL.

Along with custom print clothing, Killinger also has made-to-order tumblers, coozies and other types of drinkware.

“They are really cool for gifts. We have done so many teacher ones for teacher appreciation, Christmas and things like that,” Killinger said.

CHASE BOTTORF/THE EXPRESS The storefront of Rachel K Creations at 221 E. Main Street, between Stella A’s and The Bike Gallery is pictured.

Other assortments of custom items include keychains — ones with an image on them or with names, sports numbers, pet tags, etc. — baby bibs, bottle openers, badge holders, cosmetic bags, puzzles and more.

“I do most of the designs which I actually create, but we collaborate with some other artists as well. If there is a design someone wants, we can purchase an item that could be more popular from another artist,” Killinger said.

All of the designing, printing and pressing is conducted in-store, she added.

Killinger started Rachel K Creations less than a year ago in her home in Woodward Township. Less than three weeks ago, she moved into the space at 221 E. Main St. in Lock Haven, formerly The Strouse Law Firm, as the workload and orders increased.

Alongside focusing on a custom print design business, Killinger’s main career is in realty. She’s been a realtor for 15 years now. Her side business became an outlet for her creative side which she had from an early age.

“It grew really quickly as soon as I started selling items. My real job — what I call my “ big girl job” — is reality. This was kind of my creative outlet and I have always been super artsy fartsy, super all-things creative and loved designing my own things,” she said.

During Rachel K Creation’s infancy as a business, Killinger was typically getting an order or two a day. Now having, gotten her name out to the public, her business is taking in about 90 orders a day, she said.

However, Killinger did not grow her business alone. With the help of two other women that work for her, Niki Swartwood and Catt Seid, Rachel K Creations grew and gained traction.

Swartwood and Seid both got involved in Killinger’s business after purchasing one of her custom shirts from her store.

“I ordered a shirt off of her and then our friendship blossomed. Then I was helping after my full-time job,” Swartwood said.

From there Killinger asked her to come one full-time and in less than a day of being asked, she joined on board.

Seid found out about her after purchasing a shirt from Killinger’s store through Facebook marketplace.

“I picked up that shirt and she had her VIP page just starting up (on Facebook) and she made a post about wanting a ‘hype crew’ — which are people that help expand (advertise the products)– I told her that I would love to try this out,” she said.

Seid started out posting Killinger’s works on social media which helped grow attraction to the store. She then began helping make custom prints after school.

Rachel K Creations has also gained popularity from promoting works over social media such as Tiktok. Killinger said she had gone “viral” over the social media platform for her designs such as an Oogie Boogie “Nightmare Before Christmas” shirt she made for Halloween and Christmas which was a hot selling item for them.

Rachel K Creations also run fundraisers to help out people suffering with illnesses such as cancer, families dealing with loss of a family member(s), suicide awareness and more. They make custom t-shirts in support with a portion of the proceeds going toward the person(s) in-need.

“We are able to help someone else and it’s all good quality, we’re really about having good quality items — not like 100% cotton, scratchy type stuff,” Killinger said.

For more information or to inquire on a purchase, visit Rachel K Creations website at www.rachelkcreations.com, on Facebook page at Rachel Kayhelper or on Instagram at @rachelkcreations.

Rachel K Creations is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We advertise these times but if you see our lights and open sign on, come in, we’re here,” Killinger said.

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