In addition to branding novelty items, Gambler Specialties does screen printing and embroidery in-house to put your logo on everything from bags to coveralls, said Lisa Carmickle, who works at the shop with her father and owner, Steve Gamble. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
Gambler Specialities has a blank space — on pens, water bottles, apparel, sunglasses, banners and more — and they’ll write your name. The 27-year-old company (which has nothing to do with gambling; it is named for owner Steve Gamble) has customers from industrial businesses to local restaurants. It does embroidery and screen printing in-house, only reaching out to third-party vendors for little things such as USB drives, magnets, golf balls, Frisbees or umbrellas.
“We love our customers, and many have become great friends of ours,” said Lisa Carmickle, Gamble’s daughter. She works with him at the shop and is in the process of taking over the business. “Some come by just to chit-chat if they’re in the area, and I think that’s because we are a warm, refreshing place.”
Gamble found his way to Corpus Christi from Iowa via the U.S. Navy. He loved the water and fishing and just never left. In fact, the fisherman’s first boat and every boat since has been named The Gambler.
Gamble first worked in the oil fields before moving into sales. He soon branched out on his own to start Gambler Specialties. In the early days, the company was based in a tiny, cramped office in Portland. Gamble ran the business there for years before relocating to an office nearly three times the size in Corpus Christi.
Gambler Specialties offers a unique way for small and local businesses to spread their brands. The best items are things that people use every day.
“People will remember you by anything that you can use to get your name out there,” Carmickle said. “Coffee mugs, grocery totes and koozies are popular items that will remind people of your business or make them aware of it.”
The embroidery and screen printing aspect is exciting, too. In-house machines retrieve logos and artwork from USB drives to apply on a wide variety of textiles.
“It’s very impressive when customers walk into a business, and the employees all have matching polo shirts with an embroidered logo,” Carmickle said.
Carmickle is one of five people, including Gamble, working at the shop, which thrives on a laid-back, family approach to doing business. Gamble’s philosophy is to treat customers the way he would like to be treated, Carmickle said.
“The way he runs his business, people just want to come back,” she added. “We get the product out and meet the customers demands, and I think that’s what keeps them coming back.”
Gambler Specialities is located at 5864-B Everhart Road in Corpus Christi. Call (361) 882-0200 or visit gamblerspecialtiesinc.com for more information.
