4 minute read
MADE
Celebrating Riverside’s Community of Artists
Written by Misty Severi Photos by Camille Grochowski, Kia Harlan, and Shabnam Shaikh
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Paintings of mermaids and flowers, jewelry in all shapes and sizes and glasswork in the form of cups and saucers are just glimpses of the artwork featured in the shop called Made, a local artistic hotspot located near the Riverside Plaza.
What started as a small start up with only seven makers in 2015 has branched into a growing business of 170 makers from all over Riverside in 2021. Owners Rico and Rheiana Alderette look for anything unique when it comes to selecting items to sell in their shop.
“I have always respected those who think outside the box. I hate cookie-cutter and mass-produced things,” Rico Alderette said. “This business to me was to highlight those outside-the-box thinkers. I wanted to help people, and seeing their faces when their items are sold is really rewarding when they’re not confident in their work, because they’re talented and we wanted to give them a place to sell their stuff .”
The shop only charges minimal fees to their clients, Rico Alderette explained, because they want the artists and creators to receive most of the money that comes from the sale.
The store features collections of handmade treasures, such as apothecary goods.
“It’s really about making sure their work gets purchased and that they see their work is appreciated,” Rico says. “So many people are encouraged by family members and other people to talk to us, but they don’t necessarily believe in the work themselves. Getting that recognition from a sale gives them that confidence and tells them there is a place for work like theirs.”
With a background in steel-working, the shop began as a way to help Rico’s in-laws sell their cedar benches they created out of chairs.
“We would take these beautiful benches to the Rose Bowl, Long Beach, other markets and sell them,” he said. “Over time we kicked around the idea of taking them to stores like antique stores, but it wasn’t what we wanted. So we had the idea of an all-maker store.”
One of the current artists is Riverside photographer Michael Elderman, who said the whole idea behind Made was outstanding.
“The whole thing is amazing, from the store itself to the idea behind it,” Elderman said. “They’ve managed to survive this pandemic and it’s really extraordinary what they have done.”
Elderman sells his photography book on Riverside as well as coasters and calendars in the shop.
Rico Alderette said it is important to focus on shopping locally, because small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Rico Alderette
“We’ve seen about a 50% loss of sales this year because of the pandemic,” Rico Alderette said. “Obviously the pandemic has affected us. People used to come browse our shop for a birthday or Christmas present or for some other party like a baby shower. But now those things aren’t really happening so we don’t get the revenue from those parties.”
Rico Alderette added that the shop is trying to grow an online presence, but because the items are not mass produced and with the main store open, it takes longer for the pieces to be made, which affects how much they can maintain the website.
California Baptist University student Danielle Penn, freshman political science major, says the shop reminded her of the stores people find in beach cities.
“I would not have expected this store to be in Riverside,” Penn said. “It was remarkable to find a store that you feel as if you are at a festival or fair when you walk in. I have not been to any stores in Riverside like this one. Actually, there is only a handful across the country that I have experienced that even come close to this one.”
With the success of Made, the Alderettes used their talents to branch out into other businesses. Rico Alderette owns a design business called Alderette Designs. Clients for this business include the Mission Inn, Riverside Direct Auto, Stronghold Engineering and Black Roses among others.
Briana Herrera, Riverside resident, shops for some chopboards for her mom.
The Alderettes also helped create a marketplace called The Magnolia Center Marketplace. The event opened once a month and was free to the community prior to COVID-19. It featured local artists, food, vendors and live music. According to Rico Alderette, it was a great place for people around the city to gather and celebrate art.
“It’s important to celebrate our artists in whatever way we can, just think about where you’re spending your money,” Rico Alderette says. “I love supporting local businesses because they can come into our store and support us. It creates a stronger local economy. But a lot of people are buying off of Amazon, and we’re just funneling the money into major corporations instead of our local businesses.”
The shop is located at 6520 Magnolia Ave, and is open for visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No reservations are required. Students interested in showcasing some of their work at the store can reach out to the store through email at Contact@MadeShopRiverside.com. ◆
