18
Local Retailer The Riversider | April/May 2022
MADE
WORDS: ALEJANDRA GARCIA PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER
Resting on Magnolia Avenue is MADE , where it’s nestled between the shopping center behind Provident Bank. There’s an abundance of one-ofa-kind items at MADE, where you can find anything from handmade home decor to unique furniture pieces that’ll surely be a highlight in your home. Owners Rheiana and Rico Alderette opened their doors in 2015, and started with seven “makers.” Now, they have over 200 local artisans and makers who create these novel and quirky items for their consignment shop. “I’d say that 95-percent of everything in here is made by a local artist,” said Rico. Most of their local artisans and makers are within a twenty-mile radius, although, the majority of the artisans and makers are from Riverside. “We’ve become the Raincross store,” he continued. Many of the makers like to use the now iconic symbol that’s been an identifier for the city of Riverside since 1907. The origins of MADE started with thoughts and ideas brewing for years before the store materialized. It was truly a family coming together. “Six of those makers were family and friends,” Rico said. It included himself, his in-laws, his wife Rheiana, and a couple of friends. “Every other weekend, I’d go out and find other makers,” he concluded. Now, MADE has grown its number of consigned makers and local artisans. Before MADE opened, his in-laws were in the business of selling handmade home décor, amongst other goods, and they’d travel and take their business to Long Beach and Pasadena. But this wasn’t sustainable in the long run, and that catapulted the push for opening a store in order to create a more practical business venture. With many makers and local artisans, there’s a variety of different handmade products available at MADE. The shop carries anything from skincare products, brewed beverages to eclectic lighting fixtures and home decor. “We’ve got soaps, we have The Riversider Magazine
lighting, we have people that paint furniture, and we have people that make furniture!” exclaimed Rico. “We’ve also got people who put tea together, people that make cold-brew coffee, and people who make cool art pieces.” The shop also carries clothing in their extensive inventory. “Some of the clothes we have, we buy from small businesses that make their own prints,” he added. The makers leave their mark with their stories. Rico described a time when an older couple came into his shop, and the wife asked Rico if he’d sell handmade wooden toys. She told him that ever since her husband retired, he’d make these wooden toys and their garage was full of them. This encounter led to this retiree selling his creations, so he could create more since it was a hobby for him. Keeping and nur turing local talent allows opportunities for them to be seen, as well as giving the opportunity for others to shop for unique, oneof-a-kind items that’d otherwise not be accessible at big box retailers that already influence most customers. Shopping from your local small businesses benefits everyone. “When you’re shopping here, you’re supporting local,” said Rico. “We’re local, we live here, we go to school here, and we spend all our money here.” His belief is to keep the money local, while uplifting the community. Another way MADE stays connected with the community is through social media. “Lunch at MADE” is a mini-show that started as a promotional way to stay on the radar, and using a common lunch hour was key. “I was in line trying to get something to eat, and I saw everyone on their phone. Everyone
(L to R): Alexandria Lenox, Rheiana Lenox Alderette, Rico Alderette, and Nova Alderette.
was going through Instagram. If we go live at noon and everyone is at lunch, then maybe people will watch it a little bit.” he said. The idea took of f, and now it can be seen through Instagram, and MADE hosts nearly weekly episodes featuring dif ferent guests from local business owners to community leaders and Riverside council members. The main focus of Lunch at MADE is to primarily share stories and relate to one another while promoting local businesses, non-profits, community leaders, and people that work for the city of Riverside. “That’s the real intent of it,” Rico said of Lunch at MADE. “And trying to bring a little more of humanity back.”
MADE 6520 Magnolia Avenue (951) 342-3044 madeshop.store @made_riverside
