MONROE - One Monroe father has enough confidence in his daughter's artistic talents to help her open her own apparel store, even in a time of economic turmoil.
Charlie Gilroy, and his daughter, Alexandria Rose Gilroy, are bargaining on people needing inexpensive clothing, while at the same time, wanting a unique and personal touch that sets them apart.
Rose Gilroy, who goes by her middle name, opened Indigo Custom Shirts and Apparel Feb. 9 at 919 Eighth Street in Monroe, with an eye toward delivering personalized clothing designed to her customers' wishes.
A graduate of Monroe High School, Gilroy, 19, has an affinity for art. She paints and draws, and said she is "really good at making stuff."
But when it comes to computer-generated graphics, "that's the stuff I really like to do," she said.
Armed with a computer, printer, scanner, and copier, Gilroy can create or recreate a design ready to print onto any article of clothing. Using a heat and pressurized print transfer machine, Gilroy can transform a new or used article of clothing into one that can't be bought off-the-rack.
The quickest way to make a T-shirt one of your own at Indigo is to pick a shirt from a rainbow of colors and choose a ready-made print design. Gilroy will compose the two while you wait.
Dave Powers of Monroe heard about the shop and came in Wednesday looking for a Valentine gift for his girlfriend.
"I figured I'd help out the small local business here, instead of going up to Madison. That's how I look at it," he said.
He chose a design of a white kitten surrounded by lavender flowers for his lady. He also found a bald eagle in front of the American flag for himself. The two shirts cost less than $20.
Indigo's shirts range in size from 12-month onesies to 5XL, and sell for about $5 each. Print designs range in price depending on size.
"We keep our prices down, which I think is reasonable for the economy," the senior Gilroy said.
For a more personal touch, Gilroy will help customers dress up an old, but beloved, shirt with a pre-designed print, or will design a one-of-a-kind print for a new or used shirt.
"My mom brought in her hoodie and had a butterfly put on it. It turned out really nice," Gilroy said.
Gilroy's print transfer machine can even handle blue jeans.
Pre-made prints range from innocent to daring, and even a little naughty. Naughtier prints are kept under cover, so there's no worry about bringing your child in to look around.
Keeping with the personalized touch, Gilroy keeps a table of beads and necklaces for customers to create their own jewelry, which she said children like to make.
Design varieties and uses are endless at Indigo. One customer ordered shirts for guests at a birthday party, and personalized onesies make unique gifts for baby showers.
Gilroy is excited about the Obama designs coming soon.
"I think people will really like one of those," she said.
Indigo Custom Shirts and Apparels is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Charlie Gilroy, and his daughter, Alexandria Rose Gilroy, are bargaining on people needing inexpensive clothing, while at the same time, wanting a unique and personal touch that sets them apart.
Rose Gilroy, who goes by her middle name, opened Indigo Custom Shirts and Apparel Feb. 9 at 919 Eighth Street in Monroe, with an eye toward delivering personalized clothing designed to her customers' wishes.
A graduate of Monroe High School, Gilroy, 19, has an affinity for art. She paints and draws, and said she is "really good at making stuff."
But when it comes to computer-generated graphics, "that's the stuff I really like to do," she said.
Armed with a computer, printer, scanner, and copier, Gilroy can create or recreate a design ready to print onto any article of clothing. Using a heat and pressurized print transfer machine, Gilroy can transform a new or used article of clothing into one that can't be bought off-the-rack.
The quickest way to make a T-shirt one of your own at Indigo is to pick a shirt from a rainbow of colors and choose a ready-made print design. Gilroy will compose the two while you wait.
Dave Powers of Monroe heard about the shop and came in Wednesday looking for a Valentine gift for his girlfriend.
"I figured I'd help out the small local business here, instead of going up to Madison. That's how I look at it," he said.
He chose a design of a white kitten surrounded by lavender flowers for his lady. He also found a bald eagle in front of the American flag for himself. The two shirts cost less than $20.
Indigo's shirts range in size from 12-month onesies to 5XL, and sell for about $5 each. Print designs range in price depending on size.
"We keep our prices down, which I think is reasonable for the economy," the senior Gilroy said.
For a more personal touch, Gilroy will help customers dress up an old, but beloved, shirt with a pre-designed print, or will design a one-of-a-kind print for a new or used shirt.
"My mom brought in her hoodie and had a butterfly put on it. It turned out really nice," Gilroy said.
Gilroy's print transfer machine can even handle blue jeans.
Pre-made prints range from innocent to daring, and even a little naughty. Naughtier prints are kept under cover, so there's no worry about bringing your child in to look around.
Keeping with the personalized touch, Gilroy keeps a table of beads and necklaces for customers to create their own jewelry, which she said children like to make.
Design varieties and uses are endless at Indigo. One customer ordered shirts for guests at a birthday party, and personalized onesies make unique gifts for baby showers.
Gilroy is excited about the Obama designs coming soon.
"I think people will really like one of those," she said.
Indigo Custom Shirts and Apparels is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.