Hemlock to Handker: Our Story
For the first 5 years of our company, we were known as Hemlock Goods. The hemlock plant is pretty but poisonous, tender yet tenacious. It’s a resilient plant that is known for being able to live in many different climates and environments. In this way, we see the spirit of the hemlock plant in the women we admire. This brand was and is inspired by the backstory behind the beauty, the grit that it takes to make yourself known, and the resilience it takes to enjoy the journey.
Now in early 2024 we are changing our name to Handker! We're still the tenacious, delightful, and curious brand that you've come to love, and we'll continue to make the colorful and soft bandanas that you've come to love.
Our bandanas were made to be beautiful, yes, but they're also tough. They can hold your hair back, carry an outfit, pick up spills, and store your beloved treasures and favorite snacks. The possibilities are endless with these hardworking, artfully designed handkerchiefs. And with a Handker bandana in your possession, your possibilities are endless too.
Our Production
Beth met our production partner on a trip to India almost five years ago. They realized they shared a passion for saving people from shitty jobs and became fast friends. Over the years, Handker has grown thanks to this partnership. Through collaborative projects, shared business success, and trips across the world, this connection has brought a vast vision to life. Despite the company’s growth, our initial offering—bandanas—are still crafted with intention and care. Every design comes straight from Beth's sketchbook and begins with ink or paint on paper. Then, every bandana is screen printed onto luxurious premium cotton.
Our Contribution
Black Lives Matter.Climate change is real.
Trans rights are human rights.
Half the population deserves half the representation. We stand up for the unheard voices in our communities, and we believe that it's in our local community where we can be most impactful. The organizations we support align with the values of promoting leadership, education, conversation, and relationship building—all with a local emphasis. Check out a few of these organizations below.
The YMCA of Callaway County, founded on Christian principles, is a charitable organization with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being.
PROMO confronts systemic inequities to liberate the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and oppression in the state of Missouri.
The Mission of the Columbia Art League is to provide the community with a stimulating environment for experiencing the visual arts through exhibitions, education, appreciation, promotion and creation of art.
The Chamber of Commerce seeks to create a thriving culture, making Callaway County a place where people choose to live, while creating and celebrating success.