T-shirts are enjoying a witty
overload on Threadless.com

Threadless started life as a T-shirt e-tailer with one unique twist: not only did users design the tees in a series of regular contests but other users voted on which ones should be produced.

The e-tailer has now built a brick-and-mortar location in Chicago and has plans to build similar stores in Boulder and San Francisco, reports Business Week.

Launched in September, the store has become a great brand-awareness opportunity, since most people coming in aren't familiar with the website.

And in terms of getting those familiar with the brand incentive to come in, the retail location launches new shirts three days before they hit the web.

Launched by a couple art students in Chicago with just a $1,000 in 2000, the company is expecting $15 million in sales by the end of 2007.