Featuring Hundreds Of Regional And American Artisans, MADE Is A Celebration Of Art In Jackson, Wyoming
By Natasha Kayes|Published June 27, 2024
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
When I shop for gifts, souvenirs, or even items for myself or my home, I especially love finding products that are unique, creative, handmade, and maybe a little quirky. MADE is a charming small business in Wyoming and a perfect spot to find just such a collection of artisan goods, and it is no surprise that locals and visitors alike love this local retailer.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
MADE is a small locally-owned and operated shop in Jackson’s charming Gaslight Alley selling an extensive collection of artists’ handmade creations from all over the country.
MADE Jackson Hole
It all began in 2010 with founder and owner John Frechette. Following the market crash in 2008, Frechette found himself in Wyoming without a job; the New York City firm he'd been working for had closed down. With many friends in NYC also jobless, and having met his now-partner in Wyoming, he decided to stay in Jackson long term.
Frechette rekindled his artistic side and began making fused glass belt buckles. “Crazy idea,” he says, “but they became a big hit locally and I started selling them at art fairs and anywhere I could.”
After running a pop-up shop selling his buckles during the summer of 2009, he realized that a retail shop specializing handmade items was a great business plan. He just needed to figure out how to make it happen.
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Ten months later, Frechette was able to open a 500-square-foot space in Gaslight Alley just ahead of Jackson’s busy tourist season. MADE was officially born.
The goal was simple: to create a store that local folks would love. Frechette explains, “We wanted [shoppers] coming in to buy birthday and thank you cards, and we wanted to give them something quality that was harder to find in a tourist-driven town. We felt that by catering to locals first and making them fall in love with it, we could for sure entice their friends, family, and visitors to check us out, too.”
A lot of hard work and dedication has definitely paid off. When asked what he loves about owning a business, Frechette told us he enjoys “the challenges of something different every day, and the idea that putting in the effort shows tangible results!”
As an artist himself, Frechette is devoted to drawing attention to quality, handmade goods. At MADE, you can browse through handmade, repurposed, and vintage items from more than 360 artists from across the United States, many of whom are right here in Jackson.
The shop carries a mix of products, including arts, housewares, stationery, jewelry, books, clothing, and pottery, as well as products that pay homage to Jackson and the great state of Wyoming.
In addition to this brick and mortar store and an online shop, you can also find MADE at shows like Bizarre Bazaar, Renegade Craft Fair, One of Kind, and others. By employing friends’ children during their high school and college years, as well as supporting local arts programs and non-profits, this business also contributes much to the community it calls home.
Success has come in spades for Frechette. Together with his partner, Christian Burch, Frechette now owns and operates a collection of four shops in Jackson Hole, each with its own brand and personality.
Many thanks to owner John Frechette for sharing the story of MADE with us. You can learn more and support this wonderful retailer in Jackson, Wyoming, by visiting the MADE website and Facebook page.
Of course, MADE is one of the many awesome businesses doing amazing things in this state. If you know of another business you would like to see profiled on Only In Wyoming, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only in Wyoming on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know about this state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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