Found started in Wheat Ridge, Colorado with the first store opening in May of 2016 with it's goal to be a little bit different.  We didn't want to be just another antique mall. We wanted to blend a unique shopping experience under one roof....where you can find a one of a kind treasure from years past or a creation from a local or national artist. A little of the old, a little of the new, and a little of the repurposed.  We set out to create a place where one can hunt and find that special piece.

In May of 2021, the second Found store, Found Artisans & Antiques opened in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The Up North area holding special meaning in Amy's life as  5 generations of her family have spent summers at the lake house.. . 

In 2022, by a chance occurrence, a new opportunity presented itself. With two barns and 6 acres, a property in Mosel, Wisconsin aligned with a vision they have for where they want to go with the Found Brand. Just a mile off I 43 and surrounded by attractions like American Club in Kohler, Whistling Straits Golf Course, Johnsonville Brats, Road America and so many others, the pair took the leap and opened The Barns at Found in the spring of 2023.  Operating stores so far apart took it's toll and in February 2022, the Found store in Colorado was closed to concentrate on the Wisconsin stores.   

The Back Story:  The co-owners, Amy and John both lead corporate careers before creating the Found Brand.  Amy and John with clear vision dove into the business in 2016. It was a natural fit for both of them and luck was on their side when they stumbled upon an amazing historic building in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The building had started as a farm house, was added on in the 1960's to create a design center, eventually turned into office space for a mining company and then housing the 70+ vendors and many artists.  The uniqueness of the building lent itself to many discoveries.  Rooms were tucked around corners, a huge atrium opened to the second floor and grand crystal chandeliers adorned the atrium and circular staircases. We think Found  used the space brilliantly.  You would find forty globes orbiting one of the chandeliers, card board deer greeting you and lots of surprise artisan touches through out. Sometimes our biggest issue was making sure people tagged us in all the selfies that were taken throughout the building.

After three years of looking at property in Minocqua, John and Amy purchased the property for our second venture in 2020.  The complex, is made  up of three buildings plus a courtyard and "barn".  The store, along with its' companion complementary stores (Gem Trader, Sloan Spa, Lotus Piercing and Carabelli's Beauty Co,) make up what they are branding "the Lakewalk" as they sit directly across from Lake Minocqua. It continues the eclectic feel, from the Moose and large scales that greet the visitor to the outdoor cozy courtyard that feature outdoorsy "art" and vintage items.

After selling the building in Colorado and their house, John and Amy purchased the two barns on 6 acres in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  This property lends itself to their vision of how Found is best represented. 

Amy recalls when the passion began.   ”When we used to go shopping, hunting for things, I was always hoping to discover something unique. That’s the atmosphere I wanted to create in our stores.   It's fun to see a real cool antique piece next to a one of a kind artisan piece. There aren’t a lot of outlets for the artisan and combining them with antiques creates a lot of energy.”

Amy tells the story about a tugboat light from the 1940's which she found in Wisconsin on the way home from a family trip. When she got home and plugged it in she was pleasantly surprised that the light bulb in it was a "Popeye" figured bulb.  Discovering something special is always a thrill for anyone.

John talks about his find in Tennessee.  The front end of a Mercury Eight that was salvaged from the back woods, it's headlights rewired to work again, and especially fun, the original hood ornament.  This isn't a piece that's right for the average person, but put in in a bar, restaurant, man cave or vintage garage and it's a statement piece.

John and Amy resided in the first home built in the Montclair neighborhood of Denver, vintage 1894 before moving to Wisconsin, where again they are living in an 1800's farmhouse.  They have four amazing children in Heather, Tyler, Kohl and Wyatt and of course their beloved "Rocket", their frenchie who is spoiled rotten. And who can forget adorable frenchie LuLu who was added to the family in 2021.  Both LOVE the hunt for that special piece and are constantly adding to the stores.