Finding A Home For Creativity And Inclusion Along The Art Coast^®

Are you originally from West Michigan?

Jarod: I’m not originally from Michigan—I was a military kid and moved around a lot.

Aaron: I am from Michigan originally. We both ended up in Virginia Beach—Jarod was working there as a stylist, and I was stationed there with the Navy. That’s where we met.

Jarod: When Aaron got out of the Navy, we moved back to Michigan to be closer to Aaron’s son and family. That was about eight years ago.

What led you to live and work in Saugatuck?

Jarod: I’ve worked with stained glass my whole life—it was something my mom did—and Aaron is an amazing woodworker. We were living near Kalamazoo and had been working on small projects together.

Aaron: A barber I was going to told us to check out Saugatuck because of the artist community. So we came up for a visit and fell in love. It felt like a magical, welcoming place. Within eight or nine months, we made the move.

Jarod: As a gay couple, we were amazed to find such a quaint, Norman Rockwell-feeling small town that was also so inclusive and warm. 

What inspired you to open Cellar Door Trades?

Jarod: Our journey with Cellar Door Trades began seven years ago. We started out online, using Instagram as our marketing platform, and built 120,000 followers. Then, we decided we wanted to realize our dream of opening a storefront to meet the people who purchased our art. 

We were missing that personal element of connection. It was also important for us to include our favorite artist friends, small businesses, and curators we met along the way. 

Aaron: So in April of last year, we opened our shop. It began with just our wood and stained glass pieces, but we’ve expanded to include work from other artists and makers we admire, both locally and beyond.

What kinds of pieces do you create and curate?

Jarod: I work mostly with stained glass, and Aaron does the woodworking. One of our signature pieces is a honeycomb design—he makes the wooden frames, and I fill them with stained glass. We also do wind chimes, garden pieces, and other mixed media art.

Aaron: We also carry ceramics, jewelry, hand-poured candles, small-batch art supplies, and functional home goods from glassblowers, coppersmiths, and painters. It’s a curated mix of handmade and artisanal items.

What items are most popular with customers?

Jarod: The stained glass is a big hit, as is our woodwork. People also love the art supplies we carry—especially handmade watercolor kits and how-to books.

Aaron: Jewelry is another favorite. We feature a local jewelry artist who’s really popular with our customers. There’s a good mix of things to discover.

Jarod: One of the most rewarding parts of owning the shop is seeing returning visitors. Some people come back every summer, and we’ve built relationships with them.

Aaron: That’s something we missed when we sold only online—seeing the joy our pieces bring to a person.

What makes Saugatuck such a great place to live and work?

Jarod: I’ve never felt more at peace. As much as I love the energy of a big city, what I really love is being somewhere inclusive. Saugatuck gives you that, but in a small-town, beautiful setting.

Aaron: I remember seeing a gay couple holding hands on our first visit—it was emotional. That kind of representation, in a place this charming and picturesque, is rare and powerful.

What are your favorite places or activities to recommend to visitors?

Jarod: The perfect day would be grabbing breakfast and a yummy iced coffee from one of the many amazing restaurants and cafes in Saugatuck/Douglas, and then bumming around downtown hunting for local art and quirky finds.

Aaron: And Oval Beach is a must. We also love hiking in Saugatuck Dunes State Park. There’s a trail from the Felt Estate mansion that leads to a quiet beach—it’s a longer walk, but worth it for the solitude.

Jarod: I grew up in Missouri, and I was blown away by the size of Lake Michigan. It’s like living next to an ocean. We feel lucky to be this close to the water.