Well before the frequent discussion of fluctuating tariffs and international trade policy became a prominent fixture in the headlines, Mark Andol had already begun pursuing his own distinctive strategy to address a problem that had long concerned American economists and citizens alike: the nation’s sizable trade deficit. Rather than approaching this issue from the halls of government or the intellectual realm of policy think tanks, Andol sought a deeply practical and tangible solution rooted in consumer choice and community identity.
In 2010, acting on this vision, he established the Made in America Store in the town of Elma, New York, a short drive outside Buffalo. From the very beginning, Andol deliberately designed the store not merely as another point of commerce but as a destination—an attraction that evoked nostalgia, civic pride, and loyalty to domestic manufacturing. Tourists and locals alike were drawn to the shop, finding in it not just products but also an affirmation of values centered on supporting American labor and sustaining the nation’s production capabilities.
Andol’s guiding principle was both simple and uncompromising: every single item sold within his store had to be manufactured entirely within the United States. This was not a recommendation, nor a marketing slogan, but an absolute requirement. To protect the authenticity of this pledge and to assure his customers of the store’s integrity, he insisted that all suppliers formally provide letters of certification. These documents served as explicit affirmations that the goods delivered—from raw materials to final assembly—were wholly domestically produced. By implementing such rigorous standards, Andol created an atmosphere of trust and credibility, turning his store into much more than a retail outlet; it became a living demonstration of resilience and devotion to the idea that American craftsmanship remained both relevant and worthy of celebration.
Sourse: https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/mark-andol-retailer-made-in-america-dies-2e8aa7ce?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f
