Tactical Tailor was the brainchild of Army veteran Logan Coffey. After his first week of training while stationed in Hawaii, Coffey realized that his Army-issued gear needed a lot of modifications and changes. He made it his personal mission to update and modify his issued gear so it would be both more practical and more comfortable.

Coffey ran the business out of his garage in 1998 with a dream to open his own brick-and-mortar shop, which he opened in Lakewood in 2002.

"We provide some of the most rugged tactical nylon products in the industry, and are a veteran-owned company that makes compliant gear that has helped many soldiers downrange," said Tyler Hobbs, director of Marketing and Logistics for Tactical Tailor.

The company also carries plate carriers, backpacks, rucksacks, rifle cases and "just about every pouch you can think of," Hobbs added.

Not just military personnel have flocked to Tactical Tailor:  It is also popular with law enforcement.

"Our primary customer base is military and law enforcement," said Hobbs. "The guys and gals on the ground and at the tip of the spear. Army is a large portion of our customer base, but we also help serve the Navy, Air Force and Marines, as well as numerous law enforcement agencies, federal agencies and border patrol. We also have customers who are in competitive shooting, hunting and other outdoor-related activities."

Tactical Tailor recently relocated its retail store from the Lakewood location to its factory location, just north of McChord Field next to the vehicle emissions testing area.

"The primary reason for this move was to better service our customers," Hobbs said. "Our custom sewing shop will give customers access to our entire R&D department over at the factory, including state-of-the-art (computer-aided design) CAD, as well as the combined knowledge and experience the team over here can bring."

The move also serves as an effort to "close the time gap between product needed and product provided," he added. "This model has been successful with many other local companies in the tactical industry and will also show the customers a little more behind the scenes of how the product is made."

Customers will now have access to products hot off of the sewing machine.

In addition, "products will be available for customers as soon as they hit the warehouse, (and they'll) be able to see and try out our newest products," Hobbs said.

"If you need a solid pack that is made in the USA, we are your company!" Hobbs said.

The store is open to the public, and anyone who is interested in tactical gear is encouraged to visit.

The old retail location closed Sept. 30, and the new showroom/retail store officially opened Oct. 3. An industry day in the near future will show off the new showroom.

Not only is Tactical Tailor working to provide the best rugged gear for its customers, but it is also working to find innovative ways and solutions to meet the ongoing needs of the men and women who depend on it.

The location may be new, but the service and mission will remain the same.

"We have and always will be run by our slogan, For Patriots. By Patriots," Hobbs said.

Tactical Tailor, 2916 107th St. S., Lakewood, tacticaltailor.com, 253.984.7854