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Rapport: How an Epiphany led to a Unique Main Street Treasure

(Gillette, Wyo.) Sarah Ferguson, owner of the newly opened Rapport, has always been a little artistic. As the years progressed, she broadened her horizons and developed her passions for literature and graphic design. Ferguson took those passions and used them as fuel to develop what would soon become one Gillette’s most unique Main Street treasures.

The epiphany

Before the idea of owning her own shop had crossed her mind, Ferguson was, and still is to the day, a graphic designer. Still seeking to complete her college education, she found herself marginally successful in the world of graphic design and was already freelancing for various companies.

But, freelancing couldn’t go on indefinitely.

Ferguson said she recognized the need for a more stable career and set out to find it. She applied for multiple positions, was interviewed for them and had even received offers of employment for a few. It was while she was driving home from one such interview in Spearfish, South Dakota, that she had an epiphany- she really didn’t relish the thought of working for somebody else.

“I think that most people can relate to that,” Ferguson laughed.

The pull

Following her epiphany, Ferguson began to think of ways to accomplish what she really wanted to do- open a store and stay local within the community of Gillette, Wyoming.

She said that, at that time, she felt a pull from her artistic side, a part of her that has been in existence since she was very young.

“I’ve wanted to be either an art teacher or own an art gallery,” she explained.

In fact, her college career had even started with art education, though she ultimately decided to step away from that path. So opening a store focused entirely on art, then was out of the question.

“With Gillette being so versatile, I knew that doing one thing wasn’t going to cut it,” Ferguson said.

She said that she realized her store idea had to be a hybrid, focusing on multiple areas. She decided those areas would be three of her passions- art, books and graphic design. Three things that Ferguson both knew well and thoroughly enjoyed in her personal life.

From the ground up

Ferguson started formulating her business plan, which took three weeks to complete, and began her search for the perfect venue, which she found on Main Street next to her friend and owner of Magpie Designs, Tara Stoneking.

Now that she had the ideal location for her business, it was time to start laying out the groundwork for her business.

“I had a collection of books already established and I started building on that very quickly,” Ferguson said.

She knew then that her inventory had to be substantial if she was to experience any sort of success with her endeavor.

Ferguson already knew a number of local artists, a result of her time teaching at the AVA Art center and staying involved within the local art community. Attaining art to sell in her store was not the issue, but attaining the right kind of art to sell in her store, that was a challenge that still required some degree of searching.

“I want to make sure that the art fits well within the gallery and that the artists understand how to show at a gallery,” Ferguson said.

With the art search nearing completion and her book inventory growing tremendously, Ferguson realized something else that still needed to be addressed- the building itself. She found herself in a bit of a time crunch with less than three weeks to prepare her store for opening day.

“Luckily I have great family and friends to do it,” she said with a smile.

She said that the building had some features that she liked already in place- the pine railings and a couple hand-painted brick walls. But the rest of the store was painted brown, something that just wouldn’t do if Ferguson was to realize her vision of owning an art gallery. She elected to paint the walls white, a practice often seen at larger art galleries.

By opening day, Rapport was ready to receive its first customer, aside from a few casual cosmetics.

“The night that we opened, I was painting the bathroom door!” she laughed.

A close and harmonious relationship

The word rapport refers to a relationship that is both close and harmonious. It is a relationship in which the people involved truly understand each other’s feelings, ideas and are able to communicate well.

Ferguson stumbled upon the word as she was driving back from Spearfish, asking her iPhone app, Siri, what the meaning of rapport was. When she heard the definition, Ferguson knew she was onto something.

As a store, Rapport seeks to establish a close relationship with the community, as the name implies, by keeping the focus primarily on local authors and artists, Ferguson said.

Welcome to Rapport

The first steps into Rapport are similar to stepping into a wonderland, much like C.S. Lewis describes in his classic novel: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The store’s layout is an open concept, from the very first stride through the door, a customer can see everything that the store has to offer. Truly, Rapport is a hybrid idea that crosses graphic design, art and literature. Though the store is small, the open concept hints at inspiration drawn from larger locations, something that Ferguson wanted to convey.

“If you go to an art museum or an art gallery, you need some space,” she explained.

There is no place quite like it to be found anywhere else in Gillette. Artwork lines the walls, books are stacked up within neatly organized bookshelves and the scent of fresh, Pure Bean coffee only serves to amplify Ferguson’s goal when she started the store.

“It’s something that you can come into and feel comfortable in and enjoy art,” she said.

The reaction of the public, however, far exceeded her expectations for Rapport.

Ferguson said that on opening day, which was on Nov. 16, everyone that came into her store seemed to be excited about it and were telling her they would soon return to visit Rapport again.

“I was really encouraged by that,” Ferguson expressed.

Looking to the Future

Rapport is a place where the public can find new books, used books, unique artwork and eventually, even take some fine art classes.

Looking even farther in the future, Ferguson said that her store will be the place for book clubs. Starting next week, she will even be looking to expand the number of books in her store and will be buying used books from the public, something that hasn’t been seen in Gillette for some time now.

“Ever since Hasting’s went to the wayside, we’ve not had one that would carry used and new” which was the catalyst that jump started that, Ferguson said.

Eventually, Ferguson said that she would love to expand her store, perhaps even open more stores in other towns. But for now, she is just happy with the public’s reaction to the Rapport.

On December 8, Rapport will have its official Grand Opening at 10 a.m. Customers will have the opportunity to receive special giveaways, though what those are Ferguson is not sure, for the moment. An artist reception will be held that same day from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Head on down to 217 S Gillette Ave. and welcome the newest addition to Main Street, Rapport.

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