FRAE Everyday Goods A New Kind Of Corner Store

July 2025

article by Tory Kolkhorst | photos by Arianna Skoog

If you’ve ever walked through the doors of Frae Everyday Goods, you know the warm and welcoming feeling that accompanies your visit. The space is stocked with curated goods meant for everyday life, meticulously sourced with keen attention to production methods and carbon footprint. In today’s society, where speed and abundance abound, Frae offers mindful simplicity to provide shoppers with sustainable options, devoid of the research fatigue that is inevitable when trying to source these goods online.

Founded by fifth generation Montanan, Tiffany Miller-O’Brien, this concept was birthed from a longing for something deeper than convenience, but rather a go-to modern mercantile of sorts, where you not only get an up- close look and understanding of the goods you’re buying, but you also get to learn about the makers behind them. The name “FRAE,” itself, is rich with meaning. In Scottish dialect, “frae” means “from,” paying homage to the origins of the things we buy and use, and it also doubles as an acronym; For Remi And Ellie – a loving nod to Tiffany’s two daughters.

Upon launching her online storefront in November 2021, Tiffany quickly realized there was a hearty appetite for sustainable goods among her customers. After a few months of growing her e-commerce platform, Tiffany had the opportunity to host a pop-up shop at Roots Garden Center, which proved successful and led her to open a brick-and- mortar location off Shiloh Road in June 2022. The excitement and momentum behind Frae Everyday Goods certainly didn’t stop there, as Tiffany recently opened her second location in the heart of downtown Billings off of North 29th Street, which she named “Frae Collective.” When describing the new storefront, Tiffany shared she is excited about the convenience it will offer, as “location is key and Billings has a huge footprint, so having multiple locations allows our customers a more convenient space to shop. Customers from Huntley, Shepherd, the Heights, Lockwood, and beyond will have better accessibility, and the downtown space is also much bigger.”

While Frae’s new storefront, Frae Collective, will stay true to its roots, it also opens the door to new possibilities, ranging from more products, bulk food refill stations, fridge and freezer essentials, select vendors, an event space, and most importantly, greater opportunities for connection. “Staying true to our name, Frae, we always think about where things are from and where they are going. We are big on customer feedback, so if someone asks for something, we try to source it… I’m also proud to carry mother-owned brands so women can stay home with their families and still have a creative outlet because that used to be me – staying home with my girls, making t-shirts and graphics,” Tiffany shared.

Building on Frae West Flagship’s original footprint, Frae Collective’s growing lineup of curated goods and exciting vendor partnerships truly invites customers not just to shop but to actively participate in creating meaningful experiences. Stocking up on essentials doesn’t have to mean battling crowds and fluorescent lighting in big box stores – a trip to Frae proves that restocking can look more like self-care than a tedious errand run.

Beneath the surface of Frae Everyday Goods’ beautifully curated shelves and offerings are the people who inspired this mission and continue to make it happen day in and day out. From the makers behind the products offered to the conscious customers who visit the store and everyone in between, human connection is the invisible string that runs through it all. As a wife, mother, and business owner, Tiffany is guided by deep respect for others and knows how to integrate passion and intentionality in all that she does. When it comes to the folks behind the counters at Frae, Tiffany shared that she is “excited about the team and growing it to ensure this space helps provide for our community. We are creating jobs and prioritizing family-first, flexible employment so you can pick your kids up after school or take weekends off to watch their sporting events.”

The way Tiffany runs her business is a reflection of how she navigates life, leading her team with empathy and striving to model the type of work-life balance she offers to employees while always getting the job done. This type of grounded, get- your-hands-dirty work ethic didn’t just happen overnight. “My parents are ranchers, and I think it takes a similar work ethic to be a business owner. You have to get up and go to work and make it happen because no one else is going to do it for you. Growing up in a rural setting and seeing my parents go out to check cattle at 2am is bootstrap mentality,” Tiffany explained. “You have to love it. You can’t like it. You have to love it. On the hard days and slow days and everything in between, you have to be ready and truly love it to your core and always stay true to your mission.”

Originally printed in the July 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Never miss an issue, check out SLM's digital editions here!

Tory Kolkhorst

Tory Kolkhorst grew up in the Huntley Project community, went on to receive degrees from Texas A&M University, and then quickly returned to the Last Best Place, where she and her husband, Collin, have planted roots to raise their two children, Kennedy and Crew. With a day job in federal government, Tory finds indulgence in audiobooks, reality TV, Crumbl cookies, and Taylor Swift songs. Proverbs 9:10.

The Story is Everything Mary Kate Teske's Artful Life

Some people tell stories with words. Mary Kate Teske tells them with art. A true storyteller at heart, she weaves together photography, film, illustration, and music to tell the history of rural Montana, the people, the land, and the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. Her work doesn’t just document; it builds a world, layered with deep respect for the past.

Rising With The Big Sky

That one word, awesome, perfectly captures the feeling that sweeps over Billings each summer morning during the Big Sky Balloon Rally. As the sun begins to rise, the skies fill with bursts of color, soft flame, and wide-eyed wonder. The rally returns July 24–27 for its 10th anniversary, bringing with it a fleet of 25 balloons flown by pilots from across the country and even the world.

Summer Tradition Worth Starting

If you’ve never been to a Billings Mustangs game, consider this your personal invite. There’s something undeniably special about a summer evening at Dehler Park, kids with ballpark snacks in hand, neighbors catching up in the stands, and the crack of the bat echoing beneath a Montana sunset.

Patio Guide 2025

Our 2025 Local Patio Guide is your go-to list for savoring summer under the Big Sky. From shaded spots in downtown Billings to mountain-view decks across South Central Montana, we’ve rounded up the best places to dine outdoors, soak up the sun, and enjoy the fresh flavors of the season.