All Over Albany

The Rise and Shine Company

Project: The Rise and Shine Company, a pop up retail shop in downtown Albany offering a line of apparel, accessories and art (prints, signs and designs), as well as curated, locally made goods and collectibles.

Who: Michael Conlin

Short bio
The Rise and Shine Company is the creative endeavor of visual artist Michael Conlin. By trade, Michael is a sign painter, muralist and designer living in Albany, New York. The Rise and Shine Company has created the hand painted signage for local establishments such as the Honest Weight Food Co-op, The City Beer Hall, the Albany Restoration Project and more. In the last year, the company has tried to couple the timeless art of sign painting and murals with a more retail and lifestyle oriented brand. The inspiration for this endeavor has come from the counter-culture lifestyle of Michael's youth including traditional sign painting, freight train moniker/ graffiti culture and late 80's DIY. Partnered with his enthusiasm for lettering and design, the company promotes a more refined esthetic in apparel and lifestyle. The Rise and Shine Company is more than just owning a item of clothing or a piece of art, its about giving a stage to those products that stand out. For us, there is no right way to be independent because there is no better standard for individualism than the one that you hold yourself to.

A description of the proposed project

The Rise and Shine Company is proposing, with the assistance of Capitalize Albany and the City of Albany, a pop up retail shop in the downtown area. Capitalize Albany is currently supporting us by scouting out and securing a location for the shop. The Albany area has a growing underground culture of arts, fashion, and locally produced goods and services, that the Rise and Shine Company will host within one creative space. With the help of local designers and craftsmen we are placing an emphasis on carrying clean designs and apparel, which will meet a need within a growing demographic in the area. This space will act as an assessment to see if more independent shops, restaurants, and local service providers can establish themselves in downtown Albany.

The Rise and Shine Company's shop will include the Rise and Shine Co. line of apparel, accessories and art (prints, signs and designs). As well as curated, locally made goods and collectibles that embody the aesthetic of Rise and Shine Co. This will be a place where people can gather and immerse themselves in the culture of the brand and contribute back to it.
It should get funding because it's a unique idea, which will serve as a way to marry a growing demographic with the community. Also, this pop-up shop will be useful to all entrepreneurs thinking about opening a business in Albany, as we will be essentially taking the pulse of retail opportunity in the downtown area.

How would the grant money help?
Partnering with Capitalize Albany and the City of Albany has it's benefits for us, one major one being securing us the space and making sure that this store comes to life. Despite this great start there are so many ways that we are in need of the $1,500. This money could help with costs associated with producing an inventory. It will also help with marketing on the web, print, and event. Another way the money could be utilized is with shop aesthetic and a POS system. Every penny of this funding would be used in the most efficient way to make sure that the Rise and Shine Co. Pop-Up shop plays an integral role in the revitalization of downtown Albany.