Elma man creating Made in America Store

[phantom power]

ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Foreign competition nearly put him out of action, but he's not ready to give up. Now an enterprising Elma man is back in business with products made only in America.

Mark Andol said, "You know, the "Made in America" logo on it and then on the backside "Save Our Country First."

The logos on these tee shirts just about say it all. Years ago, Mark Andol started thinking about opening up a store where everything was made in the U.S.

"I've kind of always been, you know, to the point that we should support our country first," said Andol.

His patriotism is literally on display here at the "Made in America Store" in Elma. U.S. grown ketchup, canned peaches and pears, games and posters. The store is down the street from Andol's other company: General Welding. In the past year, he's had to lay off nearly half his work force. That was the driving force to open up his second business.

Andol said, "They're good workers. They can't provide for their family and where do they go? I mean, right now the country's in such bad shape most of the manufacturing is overseas and that's a fact."

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/business/Elma-man-creating-Made-in-America-Store

And another thing:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9074574&mesg_id=9074574

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. interesting idea.

[phantom power]

2. I've been thinking for a while there'd be a great market for this.

I mean, lots of people would like to try and buy more American made products, but it's a pretty daunting task, trying to find that 5% of actual American products in the average store.

A place (virtual or meatspace) you can go where the searching is already done for you seems really helpful.

[Lisa0825]

4. Depends on the scale... should be relatively easy for a small scale vendor

to just buy from local people... people who grow their own or make their own products here. Artists who display at local events, for example. But finding large suppliers who manufacture here is much more difficult.

[phantom power]

5. My pipe dream would be like an Amazon for American products...

(cuz Amazon sells everything now)

At that scale, you're into hiring staff whose job it is to research products and approve them for inclusion in the catalogue. But I think it's possible to make that biz model work. It would require major upfront VC investment, biz-plan, etc.

[xchrom]

3. That's what I would like do --

Wouldn't try it in this environment.

Good for this guy - I wish him the best.

[comtec]

6. he needs to be careful

many things with "made in the USA" are not actually made IN the US, but outlying territories which are as bad as 3rd world countries!

Lets hope he sells us-grown fair-trade (hawaii) coffee as well :)

also american made hemp clothing and rope would be nice too!

[phantom power]

7. well, you can predict the future here...

first it will be reported as an Up And Coming Trend. There will be inevitable scandals where somebody finds out that *gasp* a bunch of products are not made in America, or not all in America, or in unfair labor conditions, etc.

Which will no doubt be true, but it's still a great idea, warts and all.

[comtec]

8. don't get me wrong im all for it!

i\'d even say throw in a car or two, that he can show was made 100% in the US (there has to be at least one!)
I'm just saying...

even if it does become a scandal, it would highlight the problem with the made in the USA label, which may cause more good!