SAFFORD — Gila Valley Made is now officially part of Safford’s Downtown.
The co-op that provides retail space for home-based businesses held a special preview for the Safford Downtown Association and Graham County Chamber of Commerce Friday afternoon, and then opened the doors to the public Friday starting at 4 p.m.
“It’s beautiful,” said shopper Christiana Mingura. “I really admire what they are doing for all the small business owners. I know it took a lot of work, but it’s amazing.”
Gila Valley Made started in Thatcher as a holiday boutique, but proved so popular it remained open after the Christmas season.
The founders —Tricia Garrett, owner of Prickly Pear Blossom, Torey Cranford, owner of Cakes with TLC, and Taylor Ludwig, owner of Lynn Meadows Home — were informed the building they were leasing had been sold, forcing them to look for a new home.
That home proved to be the old Real Deals building on Safford’s Main Street, at the corner of 6th Avenue.
“I kind of felt like it was Christmas when we opened up the windows this morning. I was like, ‘Santa Claus came last night, now look what he left us,’ ” Garrett said. “I fell this morning that we have become part of Main Street; we’re now open and ready.”
The trio spent the last few weeks gutting the showroom and placing new fixtures, and each display in the showroom features the work of a home-based entrepreneur.
