Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More opens in Albuquerque

With a fresh storefront and an owner passionate about creating memories, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More is making a splash in Albuquerque’s custom apparel scene.

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More is a custom apparel chain with more than 75 locations across the U.S. The chain leapt into Albuquerque in December, with franchisee Tamara Turkai at the helm.

With the business up and running, Turkai is partnering with the Hispano Chamber of Commerce to host a grand opening on Tuesday.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the store’s shop, located at 6001 San Mateo NE in Suite D2. The business is inviting families, businesses, schools and community clubs to stop by to enjoy food, refreshments, deals, free reusable swag bags, live custom printing demonstrations and a ribbon cutting at noon.

Turkai said taking a moment to celebrate how far the business has come is “humbling, exciting, terrifying and just amazing all at once.”

After nearly 30 years of working in corporate information technology in the automotive industry, a layoff forced Turkai to reevaluate a career in the highly competitive field.

She quickly discovered the freedom of being a business owner was calling her name. She met with a franchising coach, discovered Big Frog and “just fell in love with it.”

“I love the creativity of working with the technology,” Turkai said. “I tell people that, yes, I make shirts, but the shirts are just a way of being able to be a part of people’s lives.”

Turkai said she has taken orders for vacations, graduations, funerals and personal projects.

“It’s just so incredibly humbling to have those experiences every single day,” she said. “In a lot of respects, I’m helping them to make memories.”

Big Frog custom decorates apparel including T-shirts, polos, hoodies, bags, hats and anything with clothing material, Turkai said.

Turkai said she hopes the store is a resource for the community. The store will be accepting donations for Locker505, a local student clothing bank, at the grand opening on Tuesday.

The nearly 1,800 square-foot Northeast Heights store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.