Melanzana (clothing brand)

Last updated
Melanzana
Industry Apparel
Founded1994;31 years ago (1994)
FounderFritz Howard
Headquarters Leadville, Colorado
ProductsOutdoor clothing
Number of employees
124
Website melanzana.com

Melanzana (formerly Eggplant) is an American clothing retailer headquartered in Leadville, Colorado. [1]

Contents

History

In 1994, Melanzana was founded by Fritz Howard as an outdoor clothing company named Eggplant.[ citation needed ] Following a trademark dispute, the company was renamed Melanzana, the Italian word for eggplant. [2]

In 1997, Melanzana opened its first retail storefront in Leadville, Colorado. In 2008, the company relocated its operations to Leadville's Harrison Avenue. [3] In 2021, Melanzana expanded its manufacturing operations to a second location on Harrison Avenue. [4] In 2024, it opened another manufacturing facility in Alamosa, Colorado. [5]

Operations

Manufacturing

Melanzana products are cut and sewn by hand using Polartec polar fleece. [6]

Retail

Melanzana sells its products through its physical store, and its online store. [7] [8] The company operates both an open retail area, where a selection of products are available to the general public, and an appointment-only store that provides access to its full product line. [9]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Melanzana briefly introduced the Lock Out Lottery (LOL), a system through which customers could enter for a chance to receive a shopping code for its temporary online store. [2] The brand's limited availability and retail model have contributed to a devoted following among outdoor recreation enthusiasts. [10] [11] [12]

Philanthropy

Melanzana donates a portion of its profits to 15 local non-profits through its PB & Melly program. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Blevins, Jason (July 12, 2012). "Leadville's Melanzana thriving with locally made clothing". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "This Cult-Favorite Fleece Is Finally Available Online, Sort Of". InsideHook. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  3. ↑ n.a. "About". Melanzana. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Bilow, Patrick (July 21, 2021). "Melanzana expands across the street". Leadville Herald-Democrat. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Waters, John (2025-03-15). "Melanzana is poised for growth in Alamosa". The Alamosa News. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  6. ↑ n.a. "Featured Partner: Melanzana". Polartec. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Blevins, Jason (28 July 2025). "Melanzana mystique: A peek into the rulebreaking business strategy of Leadville's fleece factory". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Moye, Jayme. "Walk across the sky in the U.S.'s highest-elevation city". National Geographic. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  9. ↑ n.a. "Leadville Store". Melanzana. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  10. ↑ Singer, Daliah (October 2019). "Melanzana Is Colorado's Most Coveted (and Reclusive) Clothing Line". 5280 Magazine. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Bowden, Tanner. "This May Be the Best Fleece and You Probably Can't Get One". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Busch, Laurenz. "'Hey! That's a nice Melly!'". Boulder Weekly. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Barackman, Jenna (January 24, 2025). "Coveted but covert, one of Colorado's most popular and har-to-buy brands can't fly under the radar despite its attempts". Denver Business Journal . Retrieved April 28, 2025.
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