Celebrating true gems in the community: Working together for tomorrow Before & Crafter

Local is the way to go, especially when you have residents who are continually working to make things better.

Some of those residents in Grant County include those who recently opened the doors for Before & Crafter LLC: Pam and Craig Hampton and Caitlin and Daniel Alexander.

Before & Crafter is not new to Ulysses - it started out as a flea market in 2022, which will be celebrating its fourth year here in October of this year. The two couples have expanded on their initial vision and now have a  store front in which they have vendor booths offering a variety of wares.

Leslie Mangels is one of the vendors in the new venture.

"Small towns. Many of them are just drying up and essentially left to rubble," Mangels wrote the Ulysses News recently. "Yes, we all complain about what they lack and there's nothing to do. But Ulysses has really surprised me over the last few years. Stuff is happening. New businesses are opening. Old ones are being transformed. There is new housing being built and lots of community events."

Mangels pointed out recent events as an example of what's happening in Ulysses.

"Our Main Street is buzzing with things like Tuesday farmer's markets and events like the Summer Kickoff (which recently took place down town)," Mangels said.

She would be correct.

And, it is couples like the Hamptons and the Alexanders who are not just sitting back complaining there is nothing to do - they are making it happen.

Both couples are very involved in the community and are working to make it the best it can be. Their new storefront location is located at 110 North Main Street. They will be hosting a grand opening at the location from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., June 19.

So what is the store front all about?

"Our markets feature a diverse mix of antiques, vintage finds, handmade goods, local food, small businesses, and nonprofits — all brought together under one roof or open sky," the couples state on their Web page at beforeandcrafter.com. "Every booth carries something different: a story, a skill, or a piece of the past waiting for its next home. Whether you’re hunting for a rare collectible, shopping local, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, B&C Vendor Markets offer more than shopping — they offer an experience rooted in community and discovery."

If you are interested in becoming a vendor at their store front or the annual flea market - contact them, they'll get you set.