Photo Credit: Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Caption: On Friday, June 5, 2015 the grand opening celebration of Mary Elise Rees Event Design was held. Previously working out of her home, the 54 James Street location is the first retail space for owner Mary Elise Rees. Pictured from left: Downtown Albany BID executive director Georgette Steffens; Christopher Rees, husband of Mary Elise Rees; business owner Mary Elise Rees; Carol Bolam, mother of Mary Elise Rees; and Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan. Read more on the grand opening.