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QUINCY, ILL. -- The following news release was received from Blessing Hospital:

Blessing Volunteers in Partnership (BVIP) has sold its Apparel Express medical uniform and accessories business to Life Uniform, a national medical uniform company.  The former Apparel Express store in Blessing Hospital at 14th Street in Quincy is now closed.  It will reopen on Thursday, June 4 as Life Uniform.

The BVIP had operated Apparel Express since 2002.

"The BVIP has considered its role in Apparel Express for several months," said Susan Scholz, director, Volunteer Services, Blessing Hospital.  "While sales at Apparel Express have been strong, discounts required to compete in the marketplace had significantly cut into profit margin."

She added that the BVIP also does not enjoy the discounts provided by bulk purchasing, as do some of its large competitors.

"The BVIP exists to raise money to donate to Blessing Hospital.  With that misison in mind, the decision was made to sell the business," Scholz concluded.

The BVIP recently reached a milestone of having donated $1 million to patient care service needs at Blessing Hospital.

Life Uniform will lease the former Apparel Express store from the BVIP, allowing the group to continue to raise money for its support of patient care at Blessing Hospital.

"This is a win-win situation," said Pat Reed, president, BVIP.  "Area healthcare professionals can still have this option for the purchase of their uniforms and accessories, and through their purchases support the BVIP in its mission."

Life Uniform, headquartered in Tampa, FL, opened its first store in 1965.  Today, it operates stores across the country, inclouding 10 others in Illinois, located in malls and hospitals.