“He’s just come so far,” Carol Regec said.

She and her husband, Tony, were practically teary-eyed as they stood at the grand opening of Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations’ new building in the borough of Bath. Their son, Chris Regec, is the owner.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Carol said.

Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations — or LVAC for short — is a T-shirt screen printing company. What started in the Regec family’s back shed in the early 2000s now fills an entire building in Bath.

“To have it grow to this is insane, but nice,” Chris said.

The grand opening of the newest building was held April 25 at 151 N. Chestnut St., Bath.

Bath Borough Mayor Fiorella Reginelli Mirabito led the ribbon cutting with giant scissors in hand and a welcoming smile as she watched Chris and LVAC call the borough their new home.

“We look forward to seeing the impact LVAC will have on our community,” Reginelli Mirabito said.

The journey of LVAC getting to this day has been a long yet rewarding one. Chris said this all actually started as a simple, fun hobby. While all his friends played instruments at a young age, Chris was learning how to screen print T-shirts.

Little did he realize, his fun hobby would eventually end up in East Allentown, Fountain Hill and now Bath.

“It feels a little surreal knowing a job that was supposed to be an escape from the rat race became a business with employees,” Chris said.

Today, Chris stands in awe inside his biggest building yet. It’s filled with gigantic screen-printing machines, T-shirts, graphic designs and staff members laughing like family. Chris said this jump to this latest space feels right.

“I get the vibe that this is where I should be,” Chris said. “It feels good.”

While Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations continues to grow in this new spot, Carol and Tony Regec will watch their son with pride. They won’t forget the days when he was that young boy in their shed with a screen-printing machine and one heck of a dream.

“Look at him,” said proud father Tony.