One of the more distinctive stores and a local favorite close to main street in Windsor is The Pineapple Market. This community space found a home in late 2022, but its seed was something that had been planted to bloom long ago. Owner Shana Stolz’s creative journey began as a little girl, with an entrepreneurial mindset she was crafty from a young age and always creating with her hands. Growing up in Northern Wyoming in a town of 400, there weren’t a lot of stores; repurposing and creating things is something she grew up doing. “I have always done little yard sale things, like make bracelets and necklaces and sell them in my town’s park during the summer. I have always wanted, since I was a kid, to have a shop. I never knew what it would look like or what I would be selling necessarily but I always wanted a community shop” stated Shana.
In 2015 Shana decided to quit her full-time job of 15 years in retail at Brown and Gold, a mom-and-pop store at the University of Wyoming and her job as a visual merchandiser at Maurices to stay home with her two boys Thane and Tanner. She shared with us “The truth is, I started hand painting signs because I was broke, and I needed an outlet. I couldn’t afford presents for like my nephews or family members birthdays, so I started making signs for them. It started out being a creative outlet and a way to give presents that were unique, and everyone loved it. I kept getting asked to make people something for their homes or a gift and so, that is kind of the backstory of how Rise and Shine signs came about.”
Then came Etsy, Shana started a shop before Etsy had gotten as big as it is now, when everything was truly handmade. To no surprise, it boomed, and she was doing custom orders for people all over the country. She got wind of Vines Vintage in Fort Collins in 2015 and got her first booth space, where she started mixing old vintage items in with her signs and crafted goods. Not long after came her pregnancy with miss Mabel, her third child, and as a result, the smell of paint and stain was not something she could handle at the time, and so she decided to take a break. During that time, her family had several life events occur and they ended up becoming new residents of Windsor. Shana kept having this nudge, an urge to create again.
She began making jewelry, as it didn’t stink and was something she loved to do as a kid.Consequently, she decided to open something else, a new business that accumulates all these things that she’s always wanted. And so, The Pineapple market came about. The name itself represents so many aspects of who Shana is and what this space means to her. “The pineapple symbolizes to me, warmth, welcomeness, friendship, community, and hospitality. I wanted this space to embody all these things within a community shop but to also honor the things that I love,” said Shana.
The market is a mix of unique clothing, pieces from over 20 local artisans that she has met and worked with over the years, and vintage hand-picked items from all over the country. Shana chooses her vintage pieces based on the history, character, and story that the piece itself tells. Her inspiration is all around her and she incorporates that into choosing the pieces and creating items for the shop. So, whether it is something you wear or something you decorate with, this space gives life to her vision of mixing old and new into your space and your story.
Her customers love being able to shop and support local and Shana is grateful to provide a space for artisans to get their stories out into the communities and to offer the connection we are so desperately needing within our culture. She encourages anyone wanting to follow their creative path to do so. She says to be smart and do your research but go for it and do not be afraid to fail. The world needs more voices and creators courageously following their paths.
Shana’s vision and her marketplace offer us all an opportunity to see beauty in everyday objects, to appreciate the history that came before us, to inspire and lift one another up, and to share our stories. Always follow your God wink.
Owner Shana Stolz and our publisher Misty bonding over their love of connection and community!
Come visit Pineapple Market's brick & mortar location at 217 5th Street in Windsor, CO!
Website: thepineapplemarket.com
Instagram: @thepineapplemarketco
Facebook: facebook.com/thepineapplemarketco/
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“The pineapple symbolizes to me, warmth, welcomeness, friendship, community, and hospitality. I wanted this space to embody all these things within a community shop but to also honor the things that I love,” - Shana.
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Her inspiration is all around her and she incorporates that into choosing the pieces and creating items for the shop.