Made in America Store founder Mark Andol passed on July 15, 2025
A COLUMN By Bob Confer
I was raised on a farm and I work at a factory. “My people” are those who use their brains and brawn to grow or make things right here in the United States of America.
During most of my lifetime, the appreciation for the efforts of such souls sadly fell out of vogue. Jobs went overseas. Stores stocked up on cheap imports. School officials pushed kids away from the trades. The public revered degrees over certificates. Economists championed a service economy.
But, thankfully, there’s been something of a sea change over the past 15 years. Three Presidents placed an emphasis on domestic production. Counselors encourage students to pursue the trades. The pandemic reminded policymakers of production’s value to the national interest. The public now cheers on people who make things.
It just so happened that the stark turnaround in sentiment and investment occurred at the same time Mark Andol opened the iconic Made in America Store in Western New York.
Frustrated by the loss of jobs at his fabricating business to overseas competition, he was motivated to open that retail store in 2010 to sell his products as well as those from farmers and manufacturers from across the country.
Throughout the past decade and a half, the store has been a true destination – this past June, the retailer was visited by its 1,500th tour bus. Shoppers can choose from 15,000 different items in the store’s inventory, all of which are 100% American made.
Mark’s fulfillment of his American Dream allowed the American Dream to flourish elsewhere. Not only are the store’s shelves stocked with goods created by small businesses, he also became an icon in the newfound Made in America movement. He was regularly featured on the national news, whether on TV, radio, or print where his likeability, energy, leading man good looks, and genuine love for country and countrymen shined. He grabbed attention with his professional results and his personality. He along with John Ratzenberg (and his Made in America show) and Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs) became recognizable and cherished motivators of the country’s renewed interest in the American blue collar worker.
Sadly, Mark passed away on July 15th. It was a shocking and heartbreaking loss for his family, the community, and the country.
He was too young, just 59. I thought for sure he and I had decades ahead of us fighting the good fight for America in unison. Not only does the Made in America Store sell Confer Plastics products, but I also appeared on his radio show on WECK more than half dozen times to talk about the power of manufacturing. And, I so deeply believe in Mark’s Dream and impact that, through the years, my company has purchased more than $50,000 in gift cards to his store to distribute to charitable events and raffles across the region. I felt there was no better way to support local organizations than by supporting a business with a vision and impact that mean so much to our nation. Those gift cards, by the way, are as unique as Mark was: They are heavy, made of metal which is lasered or carved by his employees — how cool is that!
Mark has a good team and a good family who can keep the Made in America Store alive. And, you can do the same as a consumer for his legacy, not only at that store, but at all stores. As Mark would reinforce often, there are five reasons to buy American. One, you’re creating and protecting American jobs. Two, you’re preserving the trades and craftsmanship. Three, you’re strengthening local communities. Four, you’re securing America’s independence. And, lastly, you’re setting an example for future generations.
Everyone who picks up a wrench, plants a seed, designs a product, or works in an assembly line in this country owes Mark a debt of gratitude. He saw value in people like us at a time when others didn’t. And, because of that, many more value us today. My people are revered once again because of Mark Andol, his entrepreneurship, and his patriotism.
Rest in peace to one of the really good guys. We’ll never forget that “China is a long drive to work.”
Bob Confer is a WNY businessman and proud manufacturer of American made products. You can reach him anytime at Bob@Conferplastics.com
