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(Riverton, WY) – Red White Buffalo owners Bonnie and Barry Tippy just opened their third location last week on Riverton’s Main Street. This is their second Red White Buffalo store in Fremont County – the Lander location celebrated its one year anniversary this week.
With this third store, close to 250 Wyoming artists, vendors, and craftspeople have a place to sell their goods. An opportunity that most may not have the ability to do without the Tippys’ help.
They are both artists, even though Barry was reluctant to admit it. After Bonnie outgrew her home business selling her woodworking, they decided to open the original Red White Buffalo in February 2020 in Green River, where they live.
This wouldn’t just be about their art; they wanted to help foster a community of artists.
“This has always been a vision of hers to open it and allow people that have a home-based business to have a storefront,” said Barry, a retired Wyoming State Trooper and Air Force Veteran.
Bonnie explained that one artist trying to fill a large space can be daunting.
“Where if you only have one thing, we can get started with that one item so it is not as overwhelming to the artist.”
Their current artist age range is from 8 to 88, and some of them sell in more than one store.
Each store has a wide range of products from Wyoming roasted coffee to high-end one-of-a-kind items. While having a range of options is great for consumers, the artists’ stories are what really create that connection with shoppers, they shared.
Learning a little bit about each person’s work, what they make, what inspired them, or maybe even learning for the first time that the neighbor you’ve known for 20 years is an artist.
Bonnie also maintains creative control with store layout, so you won’t find artist booths. Instead, you will find items laid so everyone’s work is showcased.
They do require a certain level of work quality before partnering with artists. This also includes making sure work is family-friendly.
“The store represents every artist who sells there,” she said.
Artists set their prices and have the option to be part of what they call the “community.” A place that allows all of their artists a way to connect, collaborate, promote, ask questions and more.
It’s also important to note they are not a consignment store nor do they purchase any items to sell in their stores.
Opening their first retail store right before a pandemic caused them, in particular, Bonnie to get creative. She sold items similar to QVC with Facebook Live events that allowed them to showcase the items and sell them. With that, they shared the locals are really the backbone of the stores.
Bonnie, who did not want to open a third location, shared “the only reason we are here is that the artists are saying people need one in Riverton.”
“We truly appreciate the people who come in and support the artists, vendors and craftsmen,” Barry said. “It means a lot. My big thing is live local, shop local.”
Red White Buffalo Riverton is located at 307 East Main Street. They are open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Items can also be purchased online and artists interested in selling in their stores can send an inquiry here. You can also follow their Facebook pages for the latest updates: Riverton and Lander.