Putting faces to names.

The concept of The Rust Belt Market is the product of a perfect storm. Tiffany and Chris Best were working so hard at their individual day jobs and not getting ahead. No health insurance, no savings. They were living paycheck to paycheck. The economy was bad and not getting better. Manufacturing jobs were constantly leaving to other countries. Made in USA labels were like finding a unicorn when they did shop. Something had to change.

The couple loved to visit the fun and vibrant art festivals around the state and thought it was a shame it couldn't be provided on a consistent basis. The "Aha!" moment came to them upon their long drive back from Art Prize in Grand Rapids. In theory the market would satisfy two needs. The first was a place to provide a steady "store front" for the super talented and local artisans and collectors of this region. The second was to provide a unique retail experience that would stimulate all five senses of shoppers. Patrons could feel good about their purchases on multiple levels. They would be buying something completely unique AND every dollar they spend would stay in the local economy. A true win-win-win.

Tiffany wrote an amazing business plan with no college degree. The bank loved it, but turned them down stating "the model has no house cash register". The couple pressed on and managed to scrape together half the amount they needed from a private lender. They happened to find a huge space which had sat vacant for nearly four years in a prime location in Ferndale MI, one of the hippest cities in the Midwest. They followed their gut and took a huge risk. What they lacked in education and experience they made up for in very hard work.

What you will see as a shopper when you walk through the doors will leave you in awe. It is the result of a collective of 60+ of the best creative based businesses Michigan has to offer consuming 15,000 sq feet of a former corporate big box.

Risk does equal reward.