One of Estes Park’s newest and most unique downtown shops will be holding its official grand opening on May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Joy House, located at 215 Park Lane behind Bond Park, sells unique, hand-made products created by members of the special needs community.
What started out as a passion project for owners Marla and Joe Truitt quickly turned into a full-time business venture when they saw the impact they were having on the community they love. Their 30-year-old son Seth has Down syndrome and is one of the 61 million Americans that make up the special needs community.
“Eighty percent of the special needs community all over the country are unemployed,” said Marla. “You kind of get to that point where you’re thinking, ‘our kid is 21, what are we going to do?’”
To give their son the independence he wanted while still feeling safe, the Truitts built Seth his own tiny home behind their house in Firestone. The name of the project was Joy House. With his new found independence Seth was able to get creative. He started drawing pictures and soon the idea arose to sell some of Seth’s work.
“It’s brought so much more independence for him and lots of confidence,” said Marla. “That really inspired us.”
With the help of a graphic designer they were able to print Seth’s drawings on greeting cards and the idea for the business was born. Marla and Joe began selling Seth’s work online and it wasn’t long before Marla was researching how she could find more special needs artists to help promote.
After having success on the online marketplace selling Seth’s creations since December of 2019, the concept of a brick and mortar shop with room to showcase more artist became their next goal (there is only one other non-online shop like Joy House in the country, in New York).
“I knew it would be bigger than just Seth, but I didn’t quite know it would be all of this,” Marla said, referencing the shop full of artwork from just under 30 different vendors. “If we give this community a way to express themselves there is so much talent. If we just give them the chance they have so much to offer.”
Seth created all the logos for the company and with the help of a graphic designer they were able to put his personal handwriting in as a special font. Seth’s handprint is used in many of the designs, showing a single creases across the hand, known as a palmar crease, that many in the community recognize as frequently associated with Down syndrome and other conditions.
Although the business started online, that marketplace was shutdown when the Truitt’s full efforts were put into the physical location. A new online platform is in the works and will be the next focus after the Grand Opening next month.
After COVID put the entire world on hold for a year, the Truitts are proud to be welcoming the entire community for a superhero themed open-house on May 8.
“Seth is a big superhero lover and he loves Flash. So everyone is invited to come and dress up as their favorite superhero,” said Marla. “Seth will be the Flash and we will have Superman, Batman, and Spiderman all coming and Superman will be performing some feats of strength demonstrations.”
It is rumored that one of Batman’s many Batmobiles will be making an appearance, and there will be a raffling off of prizes and gifts. The store is open for business in the meantime for those looking for a creative gift with a purpose.
“It’s been a great first month. We have received a great response from people in the Estes Park community and all over,” said Marla.
Each gift comes with the story of the artist who created it, adding a sense of connection with the gift that you don’t get with most commercial items. The Truitts believe that connection is what draws people to their store and to this community.
“The community is so kind,” said Marla. “Just speaking with these artists and their families there is just a very beautiful sense of happiness and kindness and always wanting to be kind to one another. It is a pure happiness.”
The Grand Opening of Joy House will be on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
