Photos: Gabby Wallace
Jacque and Mike Besler began operating Colors of the West souvenir shop in Williams, Arizona, in the early 2000s. Not long after stepping in as owners, the husband-and-wife team recognized that they needed more space.
In 2007, a 3,500-square-foot storefront across the street came on the market and the Beslers took the opportunity to buy it. They decided to name it Copper Canyon Trading and focus primarily on gifts and decor to differentiate it a little from Colors of the West.
Mike notes that Copper Canyon Trading appeals primarily to locals in and around Williams. He says the store offers a nice selection of southwestern decor. It also has plenty of candy options, including 70 flavors of taffy stored in giant wooden barrels.
And for spice lovers, the store has about 100 hot sauce options. “We sell some hot sauce so hot you have to sign a waver for,” says Mike. “People love that!”