AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – A mother and daughter-in-law combined their talents and creativity to open a new business at 4767 Mahoning Ave.
Made & Found opened Nov. 5 in Marc’s plaza. The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting Tuesday morning at the store.
“It is a place where you can come and you can make things and be creative, or you can find things as you’re coming through,” Dottie Johntony said.
She and her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Johntony, worked in the home care field, weathering the changes in that industry. They decided to combine their skills and open a business.
Jennifer has worked with vendors and sold items online and at craft shows. Dottie excels at crafts.
“And I’m like, we’re both looking for something in our life that’s different and to do on our own,” Dottie recalled. “And I said, ‘Why don’t we just combine this and open up our place?’”
From there it was a whirlwind. They wanted to be open for the holiday season, so only about two months passed between their decision to open a store and the first day of business.
“It’s just a month in, and we’re so happy,” Dottie said. “It’s been such a wonderful reception from everybody.”
The business supports local artisans too. Everything in Made & Found is locally made with items available from 32 vendors.
“So we have local makers that make candles and soaps, lotions,” Jennifer said. “We have a woodworker. We have macrame, crocheters, wreath makers, jewelry – just about a little bit of everything.”
Made & Found also offers classes.
“It’s some painting, some knitting – like hand knitting blankets – and then different crafts, like we were making a yarn snowman,” Jennifer said. “We have kids’ crafts. We made ornaments with our fingerprints. We can paint on canvases, paint wood blocks to make snowmen – just different things for kids of all ages.”
This month’s classes carry a holiday theme, but more classes are planned, including some taught by vendors whose creations are available at the store.
Dottie said customers represent all demographics, from college students to older adults.
“We do have something for everyone,” Jennifer added.
The women, who live in Liberty and Girard, picked Austintown for their store because they wanted to be somewhere that’s booming business-wise, Dottie said.
“And then we just happened to reach a great deal with the owners of this plaza. And there’s room for growth in the plaza still,” she said. “So we thought it would be a great location.”
Pictured at top: Dottie and Jennifer Johntony, owners of Made & Found in Austintown.