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A Peterborough small business is in the national spotlight after one of its creations made its way to the World Series.
Shannon Bryant, owner of Petals & Threads in the city’s south end, says she was stunned when she learned a custom jacket she designed ended up featured in Sports Illustrated — worn by Taylor Frick, the girlfriend of Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage.
Frick first discovered Bryant’s designs through a social media giveaway Bryant had done to celebrate the Jays after Yesavage did an interview where he told a reporter, “I was built for this”. Bryant says she hadn’t planned to sell anything at the time, but Frick reached out almost immediately to request one of the items. Then a week ago, Frick asked Bryant to create a custom piece for the first game of the World Series.
Bryant was thrilled to take on the project and wanted to create something unique that captured the team’s energy and the moment, adding that she had no idea just how far the piece would go
Frick wore the jacket to Game 1, where Yesavage — the 22-year-old rookie who began the season in single-A ball — took the mound for Toronto. The Jays rolled to an 11–4 win over the Dodgers, and photos of Frick wearing the jacket quickly spread across social media and was shown during the television broadcast, when the cameras panned in on Frick and Yesavages family in the crowd.
Towards the end of the game, Sports Illustrated ran a story that featured a picture of the jacket and shortly after that Bryant says messages started pouring in from people about the article.
Bryant also revealed there was a bit of a scramble to get the jacket in time. She initially sent the jacket to Frick in North Carolina, but worried it might not arrive before the game. To be safe, she made a second one the day of the game, and her mother-in-law was going to hand-deliver it to the Jays’ hotel, before they found out the first one had in fact been received.
As for the second jacket, Bryant has reached out to SickKids in hopes of donating it so it can be enjoyed by someone else.
What began as a small side project making personalized pieces has grown into a full-time business. Her designs often mix denim with hand-painted details, embroidery, and personal touches — pieces she says are meant to tell a story, something she puts great pride into
Bryant comes from a family of Jays fans, including her father who passed away just over a year ago. She says the moment is extra special, knowing how proud he would be right now.
Bryant launched Petals & Threads while on maternity leave with her second daughter as a way to cope with postpartum anxiety – keeping her hands and mind busy while creating something meaningful. She adds that those early days sparked a passion that has grown into a full-time business, giving her a chance to help others celebrate their own stories through custom designs.
The exposure has already led to new followers and inquiries, but Bryant says the biggest reward is seeing a piece made in Peterborough being celebrated on such a huge stage. She’s already received a wave of local support, with orders coming in from across Canada and new customers discovering her work online.
She says it’s been surreal to see something created in her home studio make its way to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
As for the jacket, Bryant says it reflects the passion she puts into every design — combining creativity, craftsmanship, and a bit of boldness. She adds that the moment has been a boost not only for her business but for the local creative community. With Peterborough fans rallying around the Jays’ unexpected run, Bryant says it feels special to see her work tied to the moment.
From her south-end workshop to the World Series stage, Bryant says she’ll never forget seeing her work shared with millions. And with the Blue Jays chasing another championship, it’s a story that’s giving Peterborough fans even more to cheer about.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
