JULY 30, 2009 ISSUE
Business Spotlight
Open Door—Opening Our Minds to African Art, Crafts, Talent and Plight
After inspiration from her son Ryan who is a missionary in Africa, Fran Boyette opened Open Door on King Street in Boone in March in a dual effort to bring African crafts to Boone and help the less fortunate. Photo by Sam Calhoun Eight months ago, Fran Boyette had just moved to Boone from Florida. She and her husband came to the area because he received a job with Samaritan’s Purse. To move and support her husband, Boyette gave up a business she had owned for 15 years and—in a new place, away from family and without a plan—she began to get anxious about her next job.
Like always, Boyette prayed to God that he would open a door for her.
“That day, my son Ryan called,” explained Boyette. “My oldest son Ryan works in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan and he called that day and said, ‘Why not open up a shop that sells African goods so you can help these people?’”
In March, Boyette, having been catalyzed by her son’s idea and feeling blessed that God opened up a door for her, opened Open Door at 703 West King Street, naming the store after the miracle that happened that day between herself, her son and God.
Open Door sells items handcrafted in Africa, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, although the majority of the products—about 80 percent—come from Africa. According to Boyette, 99 percent of her store’s products are fair trade.
As the only shop of its kind in Boone, Open Door features Zulugrass necklaces and jewelry handmade by Maasai women using dry grass; woven bowls made from copper telephone wire; White Rice dresses handmade in Indonesia; elephant dung stationary; an assortment of tin can kalimbas; scarves; quilted purses and bags made by Darfur refugees; and a wide selection of Penzo pottery, which is signed by individual artists and microwave and dishwasher safe.
Boyette networked with one of her son’s friends in Kenya, Lynn Windmyer, to purchase products for the store. Windmyer helped Boyette set up and decorate the store and also put her into contact with other craft connections in Africa. Ryan, 28, also provided products for the store, but the village he is currently conducting missionary work in is low on resources, so he is trying to come up with ideas that the villagers can create with the resources available.
“I am hoping that in the next year I can go to Sudan and Kenya and purchase items myself to expand our selection,” said Boyette.
A percentage of profits from Open Door is given to Ryan, who is trying to raise funds to build a school in the Nuba Mountains.
“I feel blessed by God for this opportunity,” added Boyette.
Open Door is located at 703 West King Street in Boone and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sunday. For more information, call 828-355-9755.
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