Every day, hundreds of people walk and drive past many stores on Main Street. During this time of year, many display photos for Youth Art Month by Ann Arbor Public Schools students. To some Community High students, art displayed by Underground Printing (on S. Main St.) may be familiar. Those pieces, by Community High artists, are not the first to be featured by the successful, Ann Arbor-based store.

Last year, the Main Street Business Association asked the manager of this particular store if she was interested in putting up some pictures from the Ann Arbor Public School District. Megan Kearney said, “They were so great from last year––it was Community High––so this year the art teacher [Elena Flores] and I just went ahead and did it on our own for the youth art month.”

Putting the art in the windows, besides connecting to the community, helps bring positive attention to Community High artists. “It helps all of us be successful,” Kearney said.

Underground Printing, was started by University of Michigan undergrads Ryan Greg and Reshrena Ryan in 2001 in their dorm room. Without the support of the University of Michigan students and their community, they might not have had the 17 successful stores, mostly located on college campuses, they do now. Knowing and being connected with the local community is important to the business, which explains all the market and location research the company puts into each new store.

The college-centered approach of the business seems to successful in selling the company’s merchandise. “During football season, it’s literally fight to get to the check up counter, it’s crazy,” said Kearney. The Ann Arbor Underground Printing stores mostly have University of Michigan apparel, although they also do custom apparel. From making t-shirts for soccer teams to unique hoodies, the options are endless. With their community approach to business, growth for the company may be, too.