SAFFORD — Gila Valley Made is getting ready to celebrate two milestones.
Saturday will mark one year in the building on Safford’s Main Street for the store that features the work of upward of 80 different local entrepreneurs and creators, and two years since Gila Valley Made came into existence.
“We’ll be doing tons of giveaways, games throughout the whole day (and) raffles,” said Gila Valley Made co-owner Taylor Ludwig.
There will be special vendors for the day, including fresh-baked goods and Brandt Woods, the local artist behind the murals in Safford’s Downtown, who will have available T-shirts based on his murals.
There will also be a pair of surprises unveiled, including the debut of a new specialty room in the store.
Gila Valley Made debuted in Thatcher two years ago as a holiday pop-up boutique, with the plan to stay open just a few months leading up to Christmas. But it proved so popular that Ludwig and co-owner Tricia Garrett were immediately seeking a permanent home.
When their Thatcher building was no longer available, they made the move to Safford’s Main Street, serving as one of the anchor stores in the Downtown shopping district.
“This is something our community needs,” Garrett said. “People can’t believe, when they come in here, that there are this many local talented people in our Valley. So the purpose is to give those people a home and give somewhere for people to shop and shop local. I don’t care what comes at us, we’re not going to stop.”
The anniversary celebration will start Saturday at 10 a.m.
