Biz Buzz

     Right over the bridge and a few minutes away from Downtown Oswego, Zink Shirts is ready to offer the local youth a safe and artistic hangout spot. The company, which opened on July 2011 primarily, offers costumed screen-printed apparel but has recently expanded in size. As part of their expansion, they have started to offer live music events, open-mic Fridays and art shows featuring local artists.

     Founder, designer and owner, Glenn Zansitis says that their goal is to integrate the arts into the youth scene of Oswego. " We would like to be able to showcase local artists and musicians," Zansitis said. "We want to give kids an activity to do afterschool."

     Zansitis, a self-taught graphic designer is originally from Keuka Lake. His education is actually in criminal justice but he fell into screen-printing with his brother and together they started their own brand, Eye Live Wild. According to Zansitis, the company dissolved when his brother moved to California. He then began to print shirts out of the spare bedroom in his Oswego home.

     Today, his designs are popular with the SUNY Oswego students and organizations. He has been involved with the Lifestyles Center, and Women's Center among others. He attributes the growth of Zink Shirts to his guerilla-style marketing and his team of five graphic design artists.

     "We put pride into every t-shirt that we produce," said Zansitis who explained that they try to cater to their customers. He says that they have the capability to produce as little as one shirt to 10,000. Zansitis encourages anyone interested to stop by and speak to his team. The studio also offers already printed t-shirts in a warm, indie retail store.

     "A lot of people love what we are doing here because it's an eclectic mix of art, music and printing," Zansitis said. He explained that since opening there have been a lot of renovations to the place with the biggest transformation of their garage into a music venue. Their goal is to offer live music every other week and open-mic night every other Friday.

     Check out zinkshirts.com for their online store and design information.  Zink Shirts are located at 19 E. Cayuga St, in the Wet Paint Company Building