The homegrown brand celebrating the upstate lifestyle 🌲

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re introducing you to Upstate of Mind, the homegrown brand with some of the coolest-looking merch for lovers of upstate NY. Don’t miss our exclusive promo code! Plus, it’s a foodie weekend overflowing with craft beer, hearty soup and chili 🥣 😋 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Upstate of Mind: The homegrown brand celebrating the upstate lifestyle

Born out of a love for design, exploration, and regional pride, Upstate of Mind has grown into one of the most successful homegrown brands in the Capital District.

It’s really one of the few places to get awesome local merch if you wanna celebrate the upstate lifestyle.

Created by Tim Fealey and John Schildbach a decade ago, Upstate of Mind began as “Compas Life,” centered on outdoor-inspired apparel like graphic tees, hoodies and hats. But when the pandemic sparked a huge interest in all things upstate, the brand saw a massive lift—thanks to one design.

“We always had the ‘Upstate of Mind’ graphic, but during 2020, it really took off as people flocked upstate. It resonated with the culture here,” Tim tells us.

The company is evolving too. Tim is taking the reins as the brand’s sole owner as John plans to exit. Its flagship store in downtown Troy, opened a couple of years ago, is also getting a facelift.

Tim describes Upstate of Mind as a thoughtful approach to living: “It’s more than just the shirts. It’s about slowing down, resetting, and exploring the outdoors. To me, it’s the culture of stepping away from the noise, whether it’s the city or everyday life.”

After graduating with a design degree from the College of St. Rose, and a career in NYC with brands like Ralph Lauren and Converse, the Colonie native decided to return to the Capital District to start something more personal. He met John in the local music scene, and they quickly became partners.

Drawing inspiration from vintage aesthetics, Tim channels the region’s spirit into designs that reflect its historic charm. “I love ephemera—old postcards, detailed wood etchings and illustrations. That vintage influence shapes our work,” he says.

Today, Upstate of Mind is thriving, with a mix of e-commerce and wholesale partnerships, appearing in over 40 shops around NYS, including Fort Orange General Store in Albany, and Fifth Corner Goods & Gifts in Delmar and Albany. Bestsellers include their heritage sweatshirts, now custom-made. We especially love their hats and hoodies.

Every year, Tim does a few collabs with local artists and businesses, like t-shirts for DeFazio’s Pizzeria. He’s also working on a design for the Troy Hot Chocolate Stroll next month.

The deets: Upstate of Mind, 33 Second Street, Troy. Exclusive discount for our subscribers: Use promo code THE518 to get 20% off your order, good on everything except events! Speaking of events, Upstate of Mind is hosting a workshop on kokedama (Japanese botanical art) on Feb. 15.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

In addition to bringing you The 518 every week, we also run a brand storytelling agency called StoryCraft, right here in the heart of Albany. If you’re a local business or nonprofit organization in the Capital District, we’re currently offering a free 30-min coaching call so we can audit your marketing efforts and identify quick improvements. Get in touch and see what we can do for you here.

🧨 The 518 Foodies plot thickens as Jackie Silvestri-Edwards, founder of the popular Facebook group, brings a lawsuit against Frank and Alyssa Cappello, owners of Taste of Italy in Latham, alleging defamation and product disparagement. Their dispute began over a negative comment posted on 518 Foodies about the couple’s restaurant, which Silvestri-Edwards declined to delete. She is seeking $450,000 in damages. This comes after a keen-eyed Redditor noticed some shady shenanigans happening in the FB group. Salivate over this latest drama here.

🦞 In Susie Davidson Powell’s rave review of Ember & Cork in Schenectady, the TU critic highlights their standout offerings while noting room for improvement in the service. A veteran of Eleven Madison Park, Chef Marc Alvarez masterfully combines influences from his Italian and Dominican roots with broad Asian flavors, resulting in dishes like suckling pig with an “ASMR-worthy crisp.” [Times Union]

🚨 Starting May 7, you will need a REAL ID (or other form of compliant ID like a passport) for domestic air travel and to access secure federal facilities such as the State Capitol and James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse. To get a REAL ID, visit a DMV office in person with the necessary documents. Here is a link to the document guide and an online application pre-screening to help you prepare. [CBS6]

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐️🍷 The 2025 Albany Chefs' Food & Wine Festival is a foodie’s dream kicking off today with various events through the weekend. We’re especially looking forward to the Slider Slam and the Grand Tastings event at the Albany Capital Center. Each event is ticketed separately here.

⭐️🥣 Did someone say soup? Take your pick Saturday afternoon as Schenectady holds its 9th Annual Downtown Soup Stroll from 11a—4p, and the City of Amsterdam spoons up its own hearty goodness at the 7th Annual SoupFest from 12—5p. Samples are just $1 at both events.

⭐️🎵 Satisfy your analog itch this weekend. Start Saturday with The Adirondack Vinyl Slam! at the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls. Then check out the The Albany Record Riot! at the Polish Community Center on Sunday, where they’re also serving up hot Polish food. Both events run from 10a—5p, and both are free. Want first dibs? Get in early at Riot! for an extra $5—$15.

⭐️ 🍺 Time to brush up on your IPA lingo (why yes, I do believe this is double dry hopped). The NYS Craft Brewers Festival takes over the Desmond Hotel in Albany on Saturday. But hurry if you want tix, this event sells out every year! Sat, 4—8p. Tix: $15—$95.

⭐️ 🎹 SURROUND: Sophia Subbayya Vastek brings the audience up close and on-stage with the artist. It’s an appropriately intimate setting for the pianist’s music, which flows with wabi-sabi perfection from her signature imperfect piano. Sun, 4p, $5—$15.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

THURSDAY

🍺 This evening, the NYS Museum presents History & Hops at Common Roots Albany Outpost. Historian Brad Utter and beer scholar Craig Gravina go deep into the Erie Canal's transformative impact on New York State, commerce and, yes, beer culture.

🤘 Empire Live hosts “Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees & Beyond” at 6:30p.

FRIDAY

🖼️ Get to Opalka Gallery for the opening reception of its latest exhibit, Screenprint Biennial 10th Anniversary. Connor Armbruster will perform as well.

🕯️ Fever presents Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay—all your favorite songs performed by Albany’s Listeso String Quartet, to the gentle glow of candles.

🥣 The ICARE Chili & Mac Cook-Off is at the Colonie Village Family Rec Center.

SATURDAY

🎙️ The Girls, Girls, Girls, Femme Songwriters Showcase at Mojo’s Gallery & Cafe got a wonderful writeup in Metroland.

💃 Palace Theater hosts DJ TGIF for a night of glitz, glamour, music, dancing, and elite vibrations known as “High Society” in the Lobby & Mezzanine at 9p.

🏒 The MVP hosts the Capital District Mayor's Cup: Union vs. RPI. The women’s team plays at 3p, and the guys hit the ice at 6p.

☕️ Cap City Runners hosts "Crew & Coffee" at 7:45a outside Alias Coffee, 76 N. Pearl St., Albany.

🏃‍♂️ The New York Fitness and Wellness Expo this weekend in Halfmoon is billed as the Northeast’s largest event of its kind.

📸 The Artsy Fartsy Photo Collective meets regularly to build community around the love of fine art photography. Bring your 10 best prints for their free portfolio review.

🦐 SPAC presents Culinary Arts Bayou Kitchen with Melissa Martin, focusing on preserving and celebrating Cajun cuisine.

❄️ Greenfield’s Winterfest Celebration & 5K Snowshoe Race kicks off at 10a.

SUNDAY

🍷 The Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Fest caps off at Hattie’s in Albany for a delicious Southern-inspired brunch with time slots available at 10a and 1p.

🥞 Drag Brunch at Emry’s Garden promises pancakes and stunning drag performances from Starling Silver, Queenie Royale and Serafina Silver.

🏃‍♀️ The Sunday Runday Club meets at 8a at the Albany Rail Trail for a quick 5K. Dress warmly!

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

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