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 treasures 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 which continued the vision.
Operating stores so far apart took it's toll and in February 2022, the Found store in Colorado was closed. But... a new Found will be coming soon to Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
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. 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 now houses the many vendors and artist. The uniqueness of the building lent itself to many discoveries. Rooms are tucked around corners, a huge atrium opens to the second floor and grand crystal chandeliers adorn the atrium and circular staircases. Found has used the space brilliantly. You can 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 is making sure people tag us in all the selfies that are taken throughout the building.
After three years of looking at property in Minocqua, John and Amy purchased the property for second venture. The complex, is made up of three buildings plus a courtyard and "barn". The store, along with its' companion complementary stores (Gem Trader, Make it Yours and Sloan Spa) 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 will feature outdoorsy "art" and vintage items.
After selling the building in Colorado, John and Amy have purchased two barns on 6 acres in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and are prepping to open their in Spring of 2023.
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. 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.