When you shop at Owenhouse Ace Hardware, you’re not just picking up what you need: you keep dollars in the community, support local jobs, and help small businesses grow! It means backing artists, builders, and creators who care about quality and take pride in their work.
You support the kind of craftsmanship and character you just won’t find in big-box stores. So, next time you walk our aisles, know there’s a story behind what you’re buying.
Let’s meet the makers behind the products!
3 Montana-Based Businesses Owenhouse Ace Loves Supporting
Local businesses are what make Bozeman strong. Let’s take a closer look at the makers behind some of the products you’ll find right here at Owenhouse Ace!
Know another business we should feature? Click here to submit their information!
Titan Straps – Rugged Straps for Every Job and Adventure
Titan Straps, based right here in Bozeman and available at Owenhouse Ace Hardware, creates durable polyurethane straps designed for securing, bundling, and tying down just about anything. Built for real-life use, they have unlimited applications – from job sites to outdoor adventures – they’ve quickly become a go-to for both pros and everyday problem-solvers.
1. How did your business get started?
Titan Straps was created in 2010. The idea for Titan Straps stems from a fat-bike adventure along the Alaskan coast.
2. What does your creation process look like?
The ideas usually stem from something I’ve seen or observing people’s methods for securing loads and the types of loads they secure. Then I sketch out an idea and work with a local engineering firm to complete the design and produce CAD files for manufacturing.
3. What’s one product you’re especially proud of and why?
To be honest, all of them. I’m proud seeing the product used by people in the trades and valuing the speed and easy-use of the strap.
4. What makes your products different or special compared to others?
We test our straps to determine ‘Peak Tensile strength’ and also conduct abrasion, UV and chemical testing. I’d like to think we’re authentic; we are our own customers and use the products for work, home, and play. I recently got back from riding a winter ultra in Alaska (Iditarod Trail Invitational). During part of the trip, it was cold, about -50F. I was using our new plastic Speed Cam for the second season in a row, and it worked like a charm.
5. What does being a Montana-based business mean to you?
Montana is a great state; the people, the outdoor recreation, big country… It has it all, and it’s great to call Bozeman home!
6. What’s one thing you’d love customers in Bozeman to know about your brand?
A lot of customers don’t know we’re based in Bozeman or that we have donated about $20,000 to environmental groups. Along with supporting other events.
7. Where can we follow your work?
Website: www.titanstraps.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/titanstraps
Facebook: www.facebook.com/titanstraps/
Youtube: www.youtube.com/titanstraps
MEET THE FOUNDER
Titan Straps was founded by Cameron Lawson. Cameron is a Bozeman-based photographer and multi-sport adventurer who’s spent decades capturing life in the outdoors – from kayakers and climbers to hunters and runners around the world.
He’s not just behind the lens either: Cameron has completed long-distance bike rafting expeditions across Alaska and even flew a ski-equipped plane for Talkeetna Air Taxi.
Today, he runs Titan Straps day-to-day, but still makes time for adventure and photography whenever he can.
Rising Joy Creations – Layered Wood Art Inspired by Nature
Rising Joy Creations, available at Owenhouse Ace Hardware, is a family-run business from Helena, Montana, creating nature-inspired layered wood art, travel maps, and games. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to bring the feeling of the outdoors into your home; capturing the places, memories, and moments that matter most.
1. How did your business get started?
Our journey began in 2021, inspired by the beauty of the Montana landscapes. From the beginning, our goal has been to help people stay connected to nature and capture the memories made in the places they love most.
2. What does your creation process look like?
Each design begins with a collaborative idea. Danielle creates the digital files, and Justin and I (Michele) bring them to life in our workshop. Through hand-painting, precision cutting, and careful finishing, every piece is thoughtfully crafted layer by layer.
3. What’s one product you’re especially proud of and why?
I’m especially proud of our 7-layered designs. Each piece is built from seven carefully crafted layers of mountains and trees, coming together to reflect the depth and beauty of the nature that surrounds us. They capture the same sense of peace and awe I feel when camping, hiking, or simply driving through Montana, and turn those moments into something you can hold onto and display in your home.
4. What makes your products different or special compared to others?
Our difference comes down to intention and craftsmanship. Every piece is carefully designed, precision-cut, and assembled by hand in our workshop.
Our minimalist style and curated color palettes set our designs apart, while our attention to detail ensures a consistent, high-quality product. We focus on creating pieces that not only look beautiful on display, but also serve as meaningful reminders of the places and memories people love.
Each design is crafted to be more than decor, something we hope will be cherished as a keepsake and passed down as an heirloom for generations.
5. What does being a Montana-based business mean to you?
Being a Montana-based business means being part of a strong and supportive maker community. We’ve had the privilege of traveling across the state for festivals and fairs, meeting locals who genuinely value handcrafted work. There’s a deep appreciation here for both the outdoors and the people who create, and that support has played a meaningful role in our journey.
6. What’s one thing you’d love customers in Bozeman to know about your brand?
We feel incredibly grateful to be able to create something we love while working together as a family. The most meaningful part of what we do is hearing how our pieces connect with people and become part of their stories. Thank you for your support that allows us to keep pursuing this dream!
7. Where can we follow your work?
Website: www.risingjoycreations.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/risingjoycreations/
MEET THE FAMILY BEHIND IT ALL
Rising Joy Creations is truly a family effort, led by founder Michele, whose passion for nature and creativity sparked the business. Alongside her, her daughter Dani leads design and marketing, her son-in-law Justin brings each piece to life through expert craftsmanship, and even their pup Maizy plays a part – making every piece feel personal and full of joy!
Montana Block – Where Western Craft Meets the Kitchen
Montana Block, available at Owenhouse Ace Hardware, creates handcrafted wooden cutting boards and kitchen pieces built for both beauty and everyday use. What started as a simple project in a backyard shed has grown into a Montana-made brand known for quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
1. How did your business get started?
It all began in Fall 2014 when Brittany wanted a nice wooden cutting board, and Mitchell just so happened to know how to make one – creating the very first Montana Block. Friends and family quickly started asking for their own, and the business was born.
Mitchell started in a small backyard shed with a few hand-me-down tools, selling at local art shows while working full time. As demand grew, he landed his first wholesale partnership in Livingston, MT, and the shop expanded from a shed to a garage and eventually beyond.
In Winter 2020, Mitchell went full time. By 2024, Montana Block had grown into a 4,500 sq ft shop with a team of six!
2. What does your creation process look like?
Everything starts from rough lumber, all sourced from American mills. We take care of the entire process from start to finish in-house.
3. What’s one product you’re especially proud of and why?
Our Butcher Boards are top-notch. Our quality and price cannot be beat.
4. What makes your products different or special compared to others?
Our Quality, and our Craftsmans Guarantee. We stand behind our products.
5. What does being a Montana-based business mean to you?
We have a lot of responsibility to represent our state, the best state.
6. What’s one thing you’d love customers in Bozeman to know about your brand?
Every day we are thankful for the support of our customers, wholesale partners and those who choose to work with us. With hard work, determination and a little luck Montana Block grew from a small hobby to a full on business.
7. Where can we follow your work?
Website: www.mtblock.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/montanablockcompany/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/montanablockco/
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Montana Block is led by Mitchell (right) and Brittany Martishius (left), a husband-and-wife team rooted in craftsmanship and hard work. Mitchell, a lifelong woodworker with a degree in Wood Products, brings each piece to life, while Brittany keeps the business running behind the scenes – balancing operations, partnerships, and family life as a mom of 3 and full-time civil engineer.
Find These Local Products in Bozeman
Stop by Owenhouse Ace Downtown or Owenhouse Ace West to explore our selection of local makers like Titan Straps, Rising Joy Creations and Montana Block. Inventory may vary, but there’s always something new to discover.
Shopping at Owenhouse Ace isn’t just about getting what you need; it’s about finding something you didn’t know you needed, made right here in Montana!
Know a Local Maker We Should Feature?
Own a local business or know someone who does? Want to see your products on our shelves or be featured on our website? Fill out our form and let’s connect for our future edition!
We’d love to support more local makers in our community!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you sell local products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware in Bozeman?
Yes! Owenhouse Ace carries a variety of locally made products from Montana-based businesses, including handmade goods, tools, and unique gifts.
Which local brands can I find at Owenhouse Ace?
You can find products from local makers like Titan Straps, Rising Joy Creations, and Montana Block, along with other Montana-based businesses depending on availability.
Are the local products available at both Owenhouse Ace locations?
Local products may be available at both our Downtown and West locations, but inventory can vary – so it’s always worth stopping by to see what’s new!
How can I get my products featured or sold at Owenhouse Ace?
We’re always looking to support local makers! If you own a business or know someone who does, you can fill out our form to be considered for a feature or to sell products in-store.
Why should I shop local in Bozeman?
Shopping local helps support small businesses, keeps money in the community, and preserves the unique character that makes Bozeman special.
