Written by David Bertola / Buffalo Business First Reporter – Buffalo Business First
Made In America Store, which has four area locations, may open other locations outside the region.
Owner Mark Andol, who also runs General Welding & Fabricating Inc. in Elma, said that he’s considering a local mall, as well as sites in Erie, Pa., Missouri and Tennessee.
Currently, he operates stores near the General Welding site, plus those in McKinley Mall, Eastern Hills Mall and in Niagara Falls, which opened since 2013. He said that the flagship store, located at 900 Maple Road in Elma, has become a tourist destination that this past year, hosted its 380th tour bus. All total, he said the stores generate about $2 million in revenues. Between both companies, he employs about 70.
In 2010, the year Andol opened his first store, he hosted a visiting Russian TV network.
He launched the retail store because his metal working company was losing work to overseas competitors, causing him to lay off staff.
All total, Andol said his 18,000 square-foot distribution center houses 6,500 different products, which he researches to make sure that products he sells are 100 percent American made. That means that if a twist tie or piece of cellophane packaging on a prospective product are sourced overseas, they don’t make their way to his store shelves.
Recently, Andol has partnered with actor John Ratzenberger, who was in Buffalo in November and signed a Made in America gift box. Ratzenberger starred in the TV sitcom “Cheers” and hosted a show about U.S.-made products.
“He’s a carpenter, and I’m a metal guy,” said Andol, who said he also featured in a documentary about American-made products.
The film, which can be downloaded here.
“It’s a feature documentary but inspirational,” Andol said. “This was about four years in the making, and it raises awareness and helps people know more about consumer products. It went to video-on-demand this past spring. It shows the importance of buying and producing more than you consume in our country.”