Pagoda Apparel

Pagoda Apparel is a custom printing and apparel decoration business located at 722 Cherry Street in Reading, Pennsylvania. The shop produces printed garments and related promotional items for individuals, small businesses, schools, sports teams, nonprofits, and community organizations throughout Berks County and the surrounding region. It operates as both a walk-in retail location and an online storefront, allowing customers to place orders in person or through the company website.

The business takes its name from the Pagoda, the Japanese-style structure that sits on Mount Penn overlooking downtown Reading and serves as the city's most recognizable landmark. That naming choice reflects the shop's local orientation: much of its work involves apparel tied to Reading-area identity, local events, and organizations based in the immediate community.

Pagoda Apparel identifies as both Black-owned and women-owned, and the business is listed as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space.

Services and Capabilities

The core of the operation is custom garment decoration. Typical output includes printed T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, hats, and other wearable items produced in quantities ranging from small personal orders to larger bulk runs for organizations. Customers generally supply artwork, a logo, or a concept, and the shop handles preparation of the design for printing and production of the finished garments.

Common project categories for a print shop of this type include:

• Business uniforms, staff shirts, and branded workwear
• Team jerseys, practice shirts, and spirit wear for schools and youth sports programs
• Event apparel for fundraisers, races, reunions, festivals, and church functions
• Promotional merchandise for nonprofits and community groups
• Personal and one-off items such as family reunion shirts, birthday apparel, and memorial garments
• Retail-ready merchandise for small brands and independent creators

The shop also maintains its own line of Reading-themed and message-based apparel that customers can purchase directly rather than commissioning a custom order. This dual model, contract printing alongside an in-house retail line, is common among smaller independent print shops and gives walk-in customers something to buy without placing a production order.

Onsite services are available, meaning production and consultation both take place at the Cherry Street location rather than being routed entirely to an outside facility. Customers who want to discuss artwork, garment options, sizing, or color choices can do so in person.

Ordering, Pickup, and Delivery

Pagoda Apparel accommodates several fulfillment methods. In-store shopping is available for customers who prefer to browse or handle garments before ordering. Completed orders can be collected through in-store pickup or curbside pickup, and the business also offers delivery. Online orders placed through the website can be shipped, which extends the shop's reach beyond the immediate Reading area.

Online appointment booking is not offered; customers arrange consultations and quotes by phone at +1 610-457-3300 or by visiting the shop directly. Language assistance is provided in English.

Lead times on custom apparel vary with order size, garment availability, and the complexity of the artwork. Customers planning apparel for a dated event, such as a tournament, fundraiser, or family gathering, are generally advised to contact the shop well in advance so that blank garments can be sourced and production scheduled. Calling ahead is also useful for confirming current pricing tiers, since per-piece costs in custom printing typically decrease as quantity increases and as the number of ink colors in a design decreases.

Location and Access

The shop sits at 722 Cherry Street, within Reading's downtown core in the 19602 ZIP code. The area is a mix of commercial storefronts, offices, and residential blocks, and is within short driving distance of the Penn Street business corridor, City Hall, and the Reading Public Museum area. Free street parking is available in the vicinity, though availability varies by time of day on downtown streets.

The entrance is wheelchair accessible. Wi-Fi is available on site for customers who need it while reviewing proofs or discussing order details.

While the physical location serves Reading and nearby Berks County communities including Wyomissing, West Reading, Shillington, Muhlenberg Township, Exeter Township, and Laureldale, the online ordering option and shipping capability mean the customer base is not limited to the local area.

Payment Options

The business accepts a range of payment methods, which is useful for organizations and groups that may pay through different channels:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• NFC mobile payments, including contactless phone and smartwatch transactions
• Checks, which is often relevant for schools, churches, and nonprofits paying from an organizational account

Character of the Business

Pagoda Apparel operates on a scale where customers typically deal directly with the people producing their order rather than moving through a call center or automated system. This is a defining characteristic of independent print shops and affects how orders are handled: substitutions, garment color changes, sizing adjustments, and artwork questions are resolved through direct conversation. For customers ordering apparel for the first time, or those who are unsure how a design will translate onto a particular fabric, that access to a person who can explain the tradeoffs is a practical advantage.

The shop's identity as a Black-owned and women-owned small business in downtown Reading has made it a point of interest for customers who deliberately direct spending toward locally owned and minority-owned enterprises. Its stated status as an LGBTQ+ friendly business and transgender safe space signals an intention to serve a broad customer base, which is relevant for community groups, advocacy organizations, and individuals commissioning apparel around inclusive themes.

Practical Information for Prospective Customers

• Address: 722 Cherry St, Reading, PA 19602
• Phone: +1 610-457-3300
• Website: pagodaapparel.com
• Parking: Free street parking nearby
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Fulfillment: In-store shopping, in-store pickup, curbside pickup, delivery, onsite services
• Appointments: Arranged by phone or in person rather than online

Customers preparing an order should have a few pieces of information ready when they call or visit: the approximate quantity needed, the size breakdown, the garment style and color preferred, the artwork file or a description of the design, and the date the finished order is needed. Supplying high-resolution artwork generally produces better printed results and can reduce setup work. For organizations placing repeat orders, keeping design files on record with the shop simplifies reorders in future seasons.