Entrepreneur: Brad Jensen

Photography by Brian Baiamonte

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COMPANY Tim’s Garage

POSITION Owner 

WHAT THEY DO A casual lifestyle boutique and retail experience

ADDRESS 4556 Government St., suite 1A

NEXT GOALS Expand customer base and add an employee

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HOMEGROWN

Brad Jensen has always worn his art on his sleeve. Since launching a T-shirt brand called Icon from his LSU dorm in 1999, Jensen’s creations have been woven into the fabric of Baton Rouge through stickers on street signs, posters on light poles and T-shirts worn by those who’ve sought out his first storefront, Bricks and Bombs on Government Street, next to the Ogden Market Shopping Center. Originally opened as a workspace and urban art gallery in 2009, Bricks and Bombs has evolved into a retail store with apparel and accessories bearing original designs. “The goal was to create a community around the grittier, overlooked aspects of art and culture, like graffiti, tattoo and skateboard art.”

MAKING MOVES

As new businesses sprouted up around him, like Time Warp and Radio Bar, Jensen sought to broaden the appeal of Bricks and Bombs by creating brands like Highland and State, featuring LSU licensed wear and Southern Made, inspired by Louisiana pride. In 2017, Jensen began eyeing a move to a more prominent space on Government Street, where a full-blown retail venture would have the foot traffic and curb appeal to thrive. He settled on a location in a small strip center adjacent to the Square 46 development, and changed the name of his store to Tim’s Garage in an effort to make the business more approachable and better encompass his various brands.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Tim’s Garage opened in September, but the concept predates nearly all of Jensen’s creations. As a 16-year-old in high school, he had a friend who always wore what Jensen thought to be cool, vintage clothing. When he asked his friend where it came from, his friend would always respond, “Tim’s garage.” Jensen eventually learned Tim’s garage was not a store, but a friend’s actual garage with hand-me-down clothes kept in trash bags. The name stuck in his mind all these years. “The brand and the variety of the store lends itself to anything. It is not so much a mechanic’s garage as it is your garage.”

MAKERS MARKET

After nearly nine months in business, Jensen is enjoying the day-to-day interactions with new customers who wander into his store. He sees his new venture as the perfect place for local makers to feature their creations; anything from T-shirts and posters to notebooks, pendants and other gift items. In the near term, his goal is to grow his brick-and-mortar and online retail business through word of mouth, and hire an employee to help work the store. Ultimately, Jensen sees Tim’s Garage as the type of concept that could be replicated on a national scale. “I think Baton Rouge is a good testing ground.”