Behind the scenes, however, the operation runs on a far larger scale.
At the Long Point Road warehouse, jerseys in every color, font and number are heat-pressed or embroidered, and orders are sorted for shipment in what is now a year-round sport.
Bins of jerseys await customization — thousands at a time — destined for youth clubs in Atlanta, Charleston and for adult leagues such as South Carolina Surf Soccer Club.
During peak fall season, more than 30 seasonal employees may be brought on to help keep up with demand.
“The whistle blows for the club teams all at the same time,” Walter said. “We’ll get 20,000 orders in three months.”
Lloyd’s Soccer growth mirrors a broader shift in youth and club soccer, where coordinated off-field apparel has become standard, particularly for travel teams.
“Teams are looking like what you see professionals wear on TV,” Walter said. “When these kids travel, they want matching pants, warmup jackets, training shirts — all things that have become required. There could be 20 different items in an order.”
Those relationships with clubs have driven steady expansion since it was founded as Champs Sports by Rich Lloyd in 1983 at Charles Towne Square Mall in North Charleston and Citadel Mall in West Ashley.
The business moved in 1992 to Mount Pleasant, first at 1125 U.S. Highway 17 in the Stucky’s Furniture-anchored shopping center and was renamed to Lloyd’s Soccer, narrowing its focus entirely to soccer and starting jersey production.
“My dad and I were cheek-to-cheek on the heat presses,” recalls Marc Lloyd, the second-generation owner and president of Lloyd’s Soccer.
Lloyd’s Soccer moved to Wando Park Boulevard in 2003, initially occupying just one suite, but now fills the entire building for its retail store, warehouse and customization operations.