Our Newest American Apparel Partner
We’re proud to introduce Boathouse Sports as the maker of our 100% cotton Boston Crewneck Terry Sweatshirt. Based in Philadelphia, Boathouse has been designing and manufacturing performance apparel for athletes for over 40 years. With a focus on quality, durability, and local production, their values align closely with those of Boston General Store. We chatted with Boathouse founder and CEO, John Strotbeck, for a quick Q&A to learn more about the company’s roots, mission, and what it means to partner with like-minded brands.
A Conversation with John Strotbeck, Founder of Boathouse Sports
Q: Boathouse has deep roots in American athletic culture. How does that legacy influence the way you design and manufacture your apparel today?
A: From the beginning, Boathouse apparel was designed to improve the daily training of the athlete. Technical design and fabrications have always driven our product development. Our original product, the Stevenson Jacket, was created for the 1976 U.S. Olympic rowing team competing in Montreal. Its trademark orbital shoulder gussets combined with a cape back allowed for total freedom of movement and extreme ventilation, allowing rowers to train comfortably in adverse conditions.
Q: All your products are made in your Philadelphia factory. Why is U.S.-based manufacturing important to Boathouse, and what are the benefits of keeping production local?
A: All Boathouse apparel is made in our vertically integrated factory in North Philadelphia. From concept and development to cut, sew, decoration, and customer fulfillment, everything happens under one 100,000-square-foot roof. Making it here gives us the advantage of speed and customization, allowing our 200 full-time craftspeople to provide better service with less inventory risk to partners like Boston General Store.
Q: At Boston General Store, we value things that are built to last. What goes into making a Boathouse sweatshirt durable enough for daily wear and timeless enough to outlast trends?
A: Probably the most distinctive feature of the Boston sweatshirts is the felt lettering on the front. Each letter is cut from felt and individually stitched onto the garment, giving it a classic sportswear look that stands apart from other sweatshirts. Our sweatshirts are also made with reinforced overlock seams—think athletic-grade construction, not fast fashion—so they’re built to hold up to everyday wear and then some.
Q: What core values guide Boathouse as a brand, and how do those values show up in the way you run your business or make your products?
A: We’re an authentic athletic brand and have been making apparel for the world’s top athletes for 40 years. We operate as a team—our employees matter, and we treat everyone with respect at every level of the business. We believe that end-to-end customer service is critical, and because we manage the entire process, we feel we can provide exceptional customer service to our customers.
Q: What does it mean to you when a brand like Boston General Store carries your product?
A: You’re our partner—and a key part of our success. Without BGS, we can’t succeed as a team. The customer is always number one. On a personal note, Boston has long been one of our largest markets for our legacy team business. It’s my favorite “other” town after Philadelphia!
A Shared Commitment to Craft and Community
At Boston General Store, we aim to offer products that are thoughtfully made, built to last, and backed by people who care deeply about their craft. Boathouse’s dedication to quality manufacturing, team-focused values, and personalized customer service means that when we collaborate, our customers receive more than just a great product—they get a piece of that shared commitment. Our Boston Crewneck Terry Sweatshirt is the result of that collaboration, and we hope you’ll love it as much as we do.
