News
»Business Spotlight: Rosebud Exchange
Posted Local at Oct 06, 2010
By Candy DenOuden
Not sure what you need? Not even sure what letter it starts with?
Doesn’t matter – Rosebud Exchange covers the alphabet.
“Anything you can think of, we sell everything,” said co-owner Randy VandenHoek. “And we’re not scared to try anything.”
Randy and his wife, Cam, along with Randy’s parents Dal and Sharon, and brother and wife Scott and Theresa, started Rosebud Exchange in 1991 after turns at selling cars and used furniture.
Cam, who is originally from Winner, came to Mission in 1988 and taught for 10 years. She and Randy, who is originally from Corsica, say the decision to come – and remain – in the Mission area was a pretty easy one.
“It is such a good area. The people are so good,” said Cam.
In 1992, Randy and Cam say they started expanding into the business that now sits on the east side of Mission along Highway 18.
The VandenHoeks have used their building for a wide range of things, from selling cars to videos to even having a pawn shop right there.
“There’s pretty much been everything in here,” Randy said.
Then, Randy and Cam bought out the other family owners about eight years ago.
Now, Randy and Cam are the sole owners of not only Rosebud Exchange, but also Pro Pawn across the highway from Rosebud Exchange and “The Store” and the Elder Inn in Winner.
“We sell anything and everything,” said Cam.
According to the VandenHoeks, they try to keep new furniture in Rosebud Exchange, but sell used furniture at “The Store” in Winner – and they even help people move furniture from there to here.
“We move something pretty much every day,” said Randy.
What makes all these different ventures work?
“Hard work,” Randy said.
Another thing the VandenHoeks pride themselves on is customer service – even to the less affluent segment of the Reservation.
“We do layaway, payroll deductions. no interest, no finance charges,” said Cam “We like to try to keep our business local so the revenue stays local.”
“Keep the revenue on the reservation,” Randy agreed.
Randy and Cam also try to support the community by offering discounts to memorials and giveaways, and filling their showcases with jewelry, dreamcatchers, dolls and more made by local Lakota artists.
“All of our showcases are local art,” said Cam.
One of the biggest challenges for a “all-in-one” store like Rosebud Exchange, Randy and Cam said, is trying to gage what customers will look for from week to week.
“People look for things you don’t have, and then when you do have it, no one’s looking,” said Cam. “As a business owner, you just never know. You can never second guess the customer.”
Rosebud Exchange employs two other full-time employees, one of whom has been working there nearly since the store started.
It’s that type of loyalty, in employees and customers, that keeps Randy and Cam going.
“We’re so thankful for the people who do support us,” said Cam. “Our customers are loyal and we think the world of them.”
Rosebud Exchange’s hours: 9 – 6 Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays.