Trail Blazers F Brian Grant has "quietly invested" in
OR-based fashion company Marquis Ramone, which bears the
name of its founder, according to Jeff Manning of the
Portland OREGONIAN. Between the money Grant invested and
"the additional bank financing his involvement allowed,
Marquis Ramone now has access to an additional $750,000.
Grant sees his stake in Marquis Ramone as a "potentially
lucrative investment" and a chance "to connect with his new
home city." While the "urban lifestyle" market is "volatile
but large, with additional capital, Ramone hopes his company
"could be the next Mecca USA or Karl Kani or FUBU, three
brands that have prospered by addressing African American
consumers." Manning: "The young entrepreneurs hope the
brand will appeal to a broad audience. But by outfitting
young, black hoop stars as well as rap acts, is's clear his
core customer is African American." Manning added that
Marquis Ramone "remains a minor player in the industry," as
sales this year should reach $1M (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/14).
