FASHION/SHOPPING
Wedding Dresses Galore At My Sister’s Closet’s New Discount Boutique
Tucked away behind two sets of steel doors in the back of My Sister’s Closet hides a treasure trove in what used to be a car detailing shop.
Unraveled Quilt Store: 3,000 Bolts of Fabric & More
When Lisa Stantz decided to open Unraveled Quilt Store in Spencer, Indiana, in 2016, it felt like a gift to herself. So, she made her April birthday her first day of business. “It was something big for me,” she says. “It was my special day and I just wanted to share it with my store. It’s my baby.”
Craft Happens: A Place to ‘Get Messy & Let Loose’
High school sweethearts Emily and Eric McArtor— originally from Greene County, Indiana—have always been “crafty.” Woodworking was an art that Eric’s grandfather instilled in him as a youth, and Emily’s grandmother kept her busy as a child by recycling everyday items into crafts.
Jigsaw Puzzles Acquire New Popularity During Pandemic
Like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, jigsaw puzzles sold out during the pandemic’s early days, and, according to Margaret Taylor, owner of The Book Corner, they still don’t stay in stock.
Planning a Getaway? Stuff to Take Your Stuff In
With summer here and COVID-19 vaccinations plentiful, many Bloomingtonians are planning a return to familiar activities in
a (hopefully) post-pandemic world. And that includes travel— whether a weekend getaway by car, a flight to visit faraway friends and family, or a vacation to some exotic destination.
B-town’s New Plant Boutique : ‘oak.’
When Talia Halliday, owner of Gather, opened oak. in February 2020, the plant boutique was the culmination of a vision she had long held as a shop owner.
IU Exhibit Showcases Glenn Close Costume Collection
The exhibit “Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection” opened on May 6 at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University and features 56 costumes worn by actor Glenn Close in 14 productions.
New Owner at ALIBI: Fashions Favor Local Living
When Katie Whitson, owner of ALIBI, formerly Blond Genius Denim Bar, moved to Oklahoma in 2019, Bloomington business owner Stephanie Topolgus decided to purchase the boutique.
Board Games Are Popular Again
As the pandemic has shut down activities and narrowed the daily experiences of many people, tabletop games old and new have seen a resurgence. Local retailers are selling more strategy board games, role-playing games, card games, and puzzles.
Nashville Spice Company: Flavors from Around the World
While you may not currently be able to travel to far- flung exotic places, the Nashville Spice Company in neighboring Brown County, Indiana, can at least bring flavors from around the globe to you.
Silk + Steel: Sustainable Fashions Handmade Locally (PHOTO GALLERY)
With no experience in the fashion design industry, Pamela Walters and longtime friend Jean Robinson retired from Indiana University in 2018 and 2017, respectively, and decided to delve into their own clothing line, Silk + Steel.
New Morgenstern Bookstore To Open in Spring
Rick Morgenstern says he closed his independent bookstore, Morgenstern Booksellers, in 1996 after national chains Barnes & Noble and Borders squeezed him out. But he never gave up on his dream of reopening, which he plans to do in May.
ETC for the Home Reimagined: Offering More Choices and Better Prices
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many businesses to reassess their operations and perhaps alter their practices, and ETC for the Home, Bloomington’s locally owned home furnishing and interior design center, is one of them.
MASKS: The Great Christmas Stocking Stuffer of 2020
While masks started out as an unwanted piece of personal protective equipment, they’re now morphing into something else: a fashion statement.
Bloomington’s Best Bows!
At Tivoli Fashions, purchases come with a little something extra: complimentary gift wrapping by owner Cheryl Nichoalds that looks beautiful beneath the Christmas tree.
Flashy, Artsy, Gaudy: Socks Make a Fashion Statement (PHOTO GALLERY)
“The sock has become an important fashion statement to allow people—even some really conservative people—to have some flair,” says Andy Mallor, owner of Andrew Davis Clothiers.
Lee Loves: April/May 2020
After months of gray days, Bloomington’s glorious spring brings smiles to our faces. Local retailers have an array of practical and whimsical finds that pop with cheery colors to add even more joy to your day!
Bedford Artist’s Abstract Paintings Now Adorn Raincoats and Jackets
When she first put paintbrush to canvas, Janet Barnette didn’t imagine that her vibrant, abstract paintings would someday be used as the fabric design for high-end outerwear.
Mainstream Boutique: Styles for Mother, Daughter & Grandma, Too!
Mainstream Boutique has a multigenerational approach, and owner Cathleen Jackson and her staff work on personally styling each woman who walks through the door.
A Tivoli Fashion Shoot Leads to Modeling Career
Melanie Surian Pickett and Cheryl Nichoalds met 10 years ago when Pickett was shopping at Nichoalds’ store, Tivoli Fashions, in downtown Bloomington.
Mirth for Higher-End, Quality Women’s Shoes
When Mirth opened its Fountain Square storefront in 2018, co-owners Amanda Forgas and Kelly Jennings weren’t sure the shop had the space to carry shoes, but they knew they wanted to. “Kelly and I are both lovers of shoes, so we knew if we could offer footwear, we would do it,” Forgas says.
Find a Piece of History at the IU Surplus Store
“If IU owns it, we sell it,” says Todd Reid, manager of the Indiana University Surplus Store, 2931 E. 10th St. From ballpoint pens to game-worn IU jerseys to the contents of entire hospitals, IU Surplus is the university’s retail outlet, selling unwanted items from departments across the IU campuses.
Lee Loves: December/January 2020
Old Man Winter is whistling at our keyholes, but Bloomington businesses are amply stocked with items to keep us warm and cozy.
The Tailored Fit Presents The University of Sewing
With Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College in its midst, Bloomington is known as a college town. Now, the city can boast yet another institute of learning—the University of Sewing.
Where to Find IU Gear Galore
From die-hard sports fans to casually proud alumni, students, and faculty, Hoosiers are not shy about flying their crimson-and-cream colors or sporting IU’s iconic, more-than-a-century-old, interlock logo.
Glenn Close’s Costumes Add Glam to IU Fashion Collection
In 2013, actress Glenn Close began collaborating with Indiana University on a college pilot program for Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit organization she founded that works to destigmatize mental illness. As that partnership unfolded, another one emerged.
Lee Loves: October/November 2019
Strolling around downtown Bloomington on a crisp autumn day is one of our town’s great pleasures. Be sure to visit the businesses on the Square and see what’s new.
Posh Boutique Caters ‘To Ladies from 20 to 80’
With a daughter and two young grandchildren residing in Bloomington, Laurel Nardine thought it was a good time to move her fashion boutique, Posh, from one Indiana downtown to another. So, after seven years in Vincennes, Nardine relocated Posh Boutique to 118 S. College, the space formerly occupied by Lola and Company.
IU to Hold Fashion Show For Folks With Disabilities
The fashion world has rarely accommodated people living with disabilities. Most often, clothing created for individuals who use a wheelchair, are unable to manipulate buttons, or need specialized footwear or other clothing adaptations comes with an obvious, sometimes awkward, preference for function over form.
Book-Themed T-Shirts Are Popular at the Book Corner
Clothing can tell you a lot about a person, including what they read.
Andrew Davis for High-End Footwear
With a curated collection of men’s clothing and accessories that come from all over the world, Andrew Davis Clothiers has provided menswear in Bloomington since 2008.
By Hand Gallery—Artists’ Cooperative Still Going Strong After Four Decades
When By Hand Gallery celebrates 40 years of offering downtown Bloomington shoppers original, handcrafted art, the festivities will include demonstrations in stone carving, scarf tying, and pottery making. And there’s a good chance there will be cake to mark the occasion.
Moon Stones: Selling Gems, Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils
Located in an iconic Victorian-style building at the corner of East Kirkwood and South Grant Street (that also houses Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar and The Laughing Planet Cafe), Moon Stones sells gems, rocks, crystals, and fossils as old or older than the limestone from which the structure was built.
The Munns: Makers Of Artistic Furniture (FIRE UPDATE)
Vicki and Lance Munn make art furniture—functional objects of beauty designed to be timeless—under the name VicLan. “We decided we wanted a legacy statement, like an heirloom, as opposed to being trendy,” Vicki explains. “We sign and date everything we make.”
B-town Kids Don Their Best at Fashion Show & Tea Party PHOTO GALLERY)
In late April, Fountain Square Mall retailers partnered to present the second annual children’s Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party
Artists Descend on Bloomington For Annual Fourth Street Festival (PHOTO GALLERY)
In many places, Labor Day weekend is associated with cookouts and last-chance dips in the lake, but in Bloomington, the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts has been woven into the community’s holiday celebration since its beginning in 1977.
Blue Heron: For Tools, Designs, and a Gallery of Woodcrafts
On the city’s north side, in an area that has sprung to life with the development of the Bloomington Trades District, is where you’ll find Blue Heron. It’s a place where wood artisans come to buy supplies, take classes, and sell their work.
Tivoli Fashions: Classic Style For the Post-College Woman [Photo Gallery]
In the 45-plus years that Cheryl Nichoalds has been selling women’s apparel, more than a few fashion trends have come and gone, but the classic styles that she carries in her Bloomington store, Tivoli Fashions, have stood the test of time.
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: The Girls of Meadowood
Bloomington’s unofficial dress code might be called laid-back casual. But there is one place in town that’s the exception. Drop in at the Meadowood Retirement Community for social hour any Friday evening or on any special event day and you’ll find the residents strategically dressed to the nines.
Retro Scarf Exhibition & Sale To Benefit Projects in Africa
For many, the term “designer fashion” conjures up visions of expensive garments destined for the wardrobes of the wealthy. An upcoming exhibit and sale, “Retro Visions: Democratizing Scarf Art,” refutes that notion while helping some of the world’s poorest people—women and children in Kenya.
Downtown Businesses Put on Spring Fashion Show & Tea Party
O’Child Children’s Boutique and ElliMae’s Boutique are joining forces to put on what they hope will become an annual event: a Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party.
Lee Loves: April/May 2019
Spring is in the air, and many of our local retailers have something in their inventory to help you embrace this lovely season in Bloomington.
Piace Boutique: Fashion for All Ages (Photo Gallery)
When Johna Davis and Heather Short first opened Piace Boutique in 2010, it was a leap of faith. Born and raised in Bloomington, they each had stable careers—Davis was a certified public accountant, Short a surgical technician. But they both felt there was a gap in the local fashion market.
Awful Cloth Student-Created Fashion Line
Even though he is just 19, Indiana University sophomore Charles Zayed has a history of marketing and selling things.
Trashion Refashion Runway Show to Feature Ten Years of Couture
In 2010, Jeanne Leimkuhler, then a board member and treasurer for The Center for Sustainable Living (CSL), was so inspired by an event she’d heard about in Portland, Oregon, that she spearheaded Bloomington’s first Trashion Refashion Runway Show.
Cactus Flower: New Location For New & Vintage Fashions
If you’ve recently traveled past the Park South development at the intersection of East Hillside Drive and South Henderson Street, you might have noticed a familiar name among the new businesses there.
Lee Loves
With Jack Frost nipping at our noses (and other body parts), we’re all yearning for that special something that makes us feel pampered. Local retailers offer a blizzard of luxurious finds ready to make your home more inviting or to deck you out in style when you must brave the elements.
Two Young Entrepreneurs Create Underground Streetwear
While most of their peers are navigating the ins and outs of college, Bloomington natives David Norris, 19, and Evan Lutes, 20, are making a name for themselves in the world of underground streetwear with their independent fashion line, Kito.
Rebloomed Clothes & Erode Apparel Making Custom Upcycled Fashions
Indiana University sophomore Daisy May started her business, Rebloomed Clothes, as a high school senior. “I have been interested in fashion design since I was a child,” says May.
Mirth—A Pop-Up Boutique Finds a Permanent Home
Mirth co-owners Amanda Forgas and Kelly Jennings were struggling to get the fledgling boutique up and running earlier this year when a mistake gave them some unexpected momentum. It came shortly after they attended a trade show to meet with women’s apparel sales representatives.
UU Art Fair & Bazaar at 60 — Still Supporting Social Justice
An event that began as a way to support civil rights in the 1950s continues today, helping support social justice efforts here and around the world.
Lee Loves
Bloomington’s fall season is full of traditions and sensual delights—from tailgating and trick-or-treating to gazing at the brilliant foliage, sipping cider, or crunching into a caramel apple. Autumnal delights also abound on the shelves of local independent retailers. Take a look!
EllieMae’s Boutique Now Open on Downtown Square
A decade after it opened in Solsberry, Indiana, offering soaps, perfumes, and similar small items, EllieMae’s Boutique has grown up and found a new home on the Bloomington downtown Square.
Where to Find Pre-Owned Bargains and Help Those Less Fortunate
Bloomington’s bargain hunters regularly make the circuit of our area’s reliable resale emporia looking for everything from toys and trinkets to furniture and formal wear—and frequently score unexpected one-of-a-kind treasures. Here’s a quick guide to the nonprofit purveyors of deeply discounted goods.
Lola + Company: Fashions for All Ages
Customers of Bloomington boutique Lola + Company know if something is for sale in the store, it has owner Lisa Orme Richardson’s stamp of approval.
Local Designer Gives New Life to Keepsake T-Shirts
Fashion-savvy Bloomingtonians seeking a personal touch for their wardrobe might consider the unusual creations made by Jane Matranga. Since she retired from teaching fashion design at Indiana University in May, Matranga has been amping up her line of Ms Tarantula sportswear, including a variety of casualwear made almost entirely of previously worn T-shirts.
Law School Assistant Dean Has Line of Skin Care Products
Lesley Davis was often taken aback when she would peruse the product labels of skin care products. Even those billed as natural or organic contained long lists of chemical ingredients with impenetrable, multisyllabic names.
O’Child Children’s Boutique: More Than 40 Brands from Around World
Bloomington resident Hyun Kwon had been a loyal customer of O’Child Children’s Boutique for more than eight years when she learned the store was scheduled to close at the end of 2016.
For Bargains Galore, Hoosier to Hoosier Sale Aug. 18
BY BARB BERGGOETZ It could be called a garage sale extraordinaire. On Saturday, August 18, the...
Blond Genius Denim Bar—More Than Just Jeans (PHOTO GALLERY)
When Katie Whitson moved from Iowa to Bloomington to be closer to her family, she realized that many of her favorite clothing brands weren’t available here. She opened the first Blond Genius store outside of Iowa in Fountain Square Mall in December 2015. In August 2016, she relocated to Renwick Village Center.
Lee Loves
Spring has sprung in Bloomington—the time of year when Mother Nature struts her stuff. The shelves of local retailers are burgeoning with merchandise that embraces the season and all it has to offer.
1818 Apparel Co. Offering Eco-Friendly Clothes & Gifts
Every shirt with the label 30A Dumpster Diver is made from eight, 16-ounce plastic bottles retrieved from landfills. The hats and bags from Real Deal Brazil are made from repurposed heavy canvas trucking tarps. And the lip glosses, perfumes, and soaps from Columbus, Indiana-based Garb 2 Art are packaged in recycled materials.
Leather-Bound Classic Books In Demand at Caveat Emptor
When Eric and Catherine Brown bought Caveat Emptor Used Books in 2016, they didn’t want to make a lot of big changes to the storied institution. “We wanted to let the books do the talking,” Eric says.
Opportunity House Celebrates 50 Years of Thrifty Style
Opportunity House was founded by a group of church ladies in 1968 to help low-income families with small children, but for five decades it has also been on the radar of Bloomingtonians looking for a fashionable bargain. The nonprofit resale shop, located in a rambling gray building at 907 W. 11th St., has several rooms stocked with donations of designer clothing, trendy accessories, vintage goods, jewelry, housewares, and books. Sales benefit the child care programs of Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM).
Skirt & Satchel Targets City’s Young Professionals
Andy McManis says fashion has always been a big part of her life, from making her own clothes with her mother to working at a boutique that offered styling services for celebrity clients, including concert promoters, music video producers—even the World Music Awards. Now, as owner of Skirt & Satchel, McManis has brought her fashion sense to Bloomington, targeting the city’s young professionals.
Bloomington Hardware: Offering Services an Online Store Can’t
As the owner of Bloomington Hardware, Vickie Davison says she’s been competing with big box stores and the internet for years. “But Bloomington really celebrates local businesses,” she says. “And that’s huge, because it doesn’t matter what the business is, if people don’t shop there, then that business will close.” Still, she points out that being a brick-and-mortar hardware store carries one advantage: “If you need a plunger, you need it now.”
Trashion Refashion Runway Show Set for April 8 at Buskirk-Chumley (VIDEO / PHOTO GALLERY)
Now in its ninth year, the Trashion Refashion Runway Show brings together clothing designers, models, and pretty much anyone interested in giving new life to old clothes and diverting materials from the landfill.
At Framemakers, Anything Can Be Framed From Handkerchiefs to Pistols to Old, Worn Shoes
Michael Friesel at Framemakers says he’s seen it all—from the whimsical and unusual to the solemn and touching.
Indiana Knives: A Little Shop For Pocketknife Enthusiasts
As a student at Indiana University, Indiana Knives owner Eric Ziliak, 25, never thought he’d open his own business. Ziliak, a criminal justice major, graduated from the IU Police Academy in 2014 and worked as an IUPD officer for almost two years.
Gifts for the Kids in Your Life
O’Child Children’s Boutique, on the south side of the downtown Square at 101 W. Kirkwood, features upscale clothing, toys, and books sourced from manufacturers in the United States and around the world. When mother-of-two Hyun Kwon heard the Fountain Square Mall store was closing last year, the former customer became the new owner, and reopened the business in June.
Watch as They Work at Volta Glass Studio (PHOTO GALLERY)
In 1998, at a glass studio in Newburgh, Indiana, Ryan Hoffman was formally introduced to the art form that would become his career.
State Says ‘No Ban Allowed on Plastic Bags’—Local Group Says ‘Bring Your Own’
When Victoria Hilkevitch Bedford goes shopping, she doesn’t go empty-handed; she carries reusable bags. It’s a habit.
Beidler Made Books Hand-Made the Age-Old Way
Twenty-first century products are typically mass-produced, manufactured from man-made materials, and designed to be disposable. In contrast, Brien Beidler’s books are made in the manner of a pre-industrial bookbinder—they’re handcrafted from natural materials, and they’re meant to last.
My Sister’s Closet: Bargains for a Cause (PHOTO GALLERY)
Many Bloomington residents know My Sister’s Closet as a place to find bargains on gently used women’s clothing and accessories. What some might not know is that it’s more than a resale shop—it’s also a nonprofit organization that helps women achieve economic self-sufficiency.
New Location and New Swiss-Made Sewing Machines at The Tailored Fit
Margaret Fette, owner of The Tailored Fit, a custom-made clothing and alteration shop, says she doesn’t want any frustrated seamstresses in Bloomington, let alone anyone walking around in ill-fitting clothes.
Gather Moves to New Space in Storefront on the Square
When Athena, a long-time Bloomington establishment located on the downtown Square, closed in the spring, Talia Halliday was disappointed. But as the owner of Gather, a shop featuring the handmade work of more than 250 local and regional artists, Halliday also saw an opportunity.
Andrew Davis Clothiers: A Local Success Story on the Square (GALLERY)
At a time when clothing can be purchased everywhere from big-box stores to online retailers, Andrew Davis Clothiers offers something that is increasingly rare: personal service from experts who are knowledgeable not only about the products, but also about their customers’ needs.
Bloomington Clothing Co.: Easy Apparel for Women 35 & Older
When Lorraine Hanna returned to her hometown of Bloomington in 1995 after 15 years in Hawaii as a buyer for Maui Clothing Company, she was frustrated with the town’s limited clothing options. “I couldn’t find clothes in Bloomington I wanted to wear,” Hanna says.
How Finding Rare Books Became Artist Dale Steffey’s Profession
Dale Steffey is one of the rare few who has managed to turn his passion into a profession. A couple of times. The 65-year-old native of Shelbyville, Indiana, came to Bloomington to study at Indiana University, and graduated in 1975 with a degree in secondary education. However, he was working at Trilogy Gallery in Nashville, Indiana, when he became interested in the art of stained glass—and in artist Dawn Adams, who became his wife. So instead of teaching, he worked with Adams as a glass artist for 30 years.
Bloomington Stitchery Offers ‘Tailoring for Every Body’
Bloomington Stitchery’s commitment to body positivity is visible from the parking lot. A rainbow banner in the window of the new storefront reads, “You are loved,” and the store’s slogan, “Fine Tailoring for Every Body,” is on the sign outside.
Royale Hair Parlor Creates a Unique Wedding Suite
Sometimes the most treasured images of a bride’s big day are captured as she and her party get ready for the ceremony—the casual moments when hair is being done and makeup applied. So when Royale Hair Parlor began booking an increasing number of wedding parties, owner Bridgett DiVohl began thinking about how she might create a more private, celebratory space for her clients.
Cox Creek Mill: Where Detritus Becomes Art
Sometimes referred to as the “Home of the Iron Gate,” Cox Creek Mill in Nashville, Indiana, is the home and studio of metalwork artist Brad Cox.
Morgantown Shop Has Everything For Beekeepers, Including Advice
For new and experienced beekeepers alike, Graham’s Bee Works offers bee packages, hive supplies, and classes.
Classic Looks at Tivoli Fashions
Tivoli Fashions aims to offer clothing that reflects the Bloomington aesthetic for the post-college-age woman.
Pedego Bloomington Electric Bikes: New Shop for New Breed of Bicycle
Even for those who haven’t ridden a bike in 40 years, Pedego Bloomington Electric Bikes offers easy-to-ride bicycles.
Clutch Fabrication and Design: More Than Just Metalwork
Josh Smith says he came from a family of doers, which has translated well into his life as the owner of Clutch Fabrication and Design.
House of Clocks in Morgantown Selling and Repairing All Kinds of Clocks
The Condons have owned House of Clocks in Morgantown, Indiana since 2003 and have committed themselves to selling and repairing clocks of every variety.
Elevated Citizen: A New Men’s Store in Town
Men’s clothing designer Kaleb Ryan established his menswear line EC Chantal in 2013, and has now opened the brand’s first brick-and-mortar store, Elevated Citizen, in Bloomington.
Relish — Women’s Clothing That Transcends Trendiness
BY TRACY ZOLLINGER TURNER In an era of cheap, disposable, and environmentally unsound fast...
This Holiday Season, Start a New Tradition — Shop Locally
BY CARMEN SIERING When holiday shopping starts in earnest on Thanksgiving weekend, many folks...
The Virtuous Bee: An Online Skin Product Business (Photo Gallery)
BY BARB BERGGOETZ When Jennifer Bland gets an idea, she doesn’t waste any time putting it into...
Bone Appetit in Nashville A Gourmet Bakery — For Dogs
BY SARA SHEIKH After working in the travel industry and owning two other businesses, Susan Rice...
Jeff’s Warehouse: Find the Unusual and Mid-Century Modern (Photo Gallery)
BY BARB BERGGOETZ Jeff Scofield gets a kick out of hunting down unusual vintage home furnishings...
Bespoke Formal Wear Shop: Downtown on the Square (Photo Gallery)
BY JEREMY SHERE Last December, men’s clothier Andrew Davis, located on the south side of the...
Samboola’s Trading Co. in Ellettsville: Local ‘Purveyors of Goods & Stuff’
BY SARA SHEIKH Located in the heart of downtown Ellettsville, Samboola’s Trading Co. — “Purveyors...
The Tailored Fit: Custom-Made Clothes for Men and Women
BY BARB BERGGOETZ As a young girl, Margaret Fette’s favorite toys were Barbie dolls — especially...
Enter the Non-Virtual World When You Come Into Athena
BY PETER DORFMAN Merribeth Fender, co-owner of Athena, invites people to step away from work, put...
Fallen Leaf Books: A Nashville Shop That Almost Wasn’t
BY PAMELA KEECH Carey Spain is a gentle 61-year-old with a lifetime love of collecting books. He’s...
Blue Heron Shop: Woodworking Supplies, Vintage Furnishings, and Unusual Functional Multimedia Art
BY SOPHIE BIRD Michael Evans, owner of Blue Heron woodworking supply and vintage home furnishings...
Tivoli Fashions and Jewelry: A Marriage of Apparel and Pearls
BY ROSIE PIGA PIZZO Like the classic women’s apparel it features, Tivoli Fashions has stood the...
FASHION/SHOPPING
Wedding Dresses Galore At My Sister’s Closet’s New Discount Boutique
Tucked away behind two sets of steel doors in the back of My Sister’s Closet hides a treasure trove in what used to be a car detailing shop.
Unraveled Quilt Store: 3,000 Bolts of Fabric & More
When Lisa Stantz decided to open Unraveled Quilt Store in Spencer, Indiana, in 2016, it felt like a gift to herself. So, she made her April birthday her first day of business. “It was something big for me,” she says. “It was my special day and I just wanted to share it with my store. It’s my baby.”
Craft Happens: A Place to ‘Get Messy & Let Loose’
High school sweethearts Emily and Eric McArtor— originally from Greene County, Indiana—have always been “crafty.” Woodworking was an art that Eric’s grandfather instilled in him as a youth, and Emily’s grandmother kept her busy as a child by recycling everyday items into crafts.
Jigsaw Puzzles Acquire New Popularity During Pandemic
Like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, jigsaw puzzles sold out during the pandemic’s early days, and, according to Margaret Taylor, owner of The Book Corner, they still don’t stay in stock.
Planning a Getaway? Stuff to Take Your Stuff In
With summer here and COVID-19 vaccinations plentiful, many Bloomingtonians are planning a return to familiar activities in
a (hopefully) post-pandemic world. And that includes travel— whether a weekend getaway by car, a flight to visit faraway friends and family, or a vacation to some exotic destination.
B-town’s New Plant Boutique : ‘oak.’
When Talia Halliday, owner of Gather, opened oak. in February 2020, the plant boutique was the culmination of a vision she had long held as a shop owner.
IU Exhibit Showcases Glenn Close Costume Collection
The exhibit “Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection” opened on May 6 at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University and features 56 costumes worn by actor Glenn Close in 14 productions.
New Owner at ALIBI: Fashions Favor Local Living
When Katie Whitson, owner of ALIBI, formerly Blond Genius Denim Bar, moved to Oklahoma in 2019, Bloomington business owner Stephanie Topolgus decided to purchase the boutique.
Board Games Are Popular Again
As the pandemic has shut down activities and narrowed the daily experiences of many people, tabletop games old and new have seen a resurgence. Local retailers are selling more strategy board games, role-playing games, card games, and puzzles.
Nashville Spice Company: Flavors from Around the World
While you may not currently be able to travel to far- flung exotic places, the Nashville Spice Company in neighboring Brown County, Indiana, can at least bring flavors from around the globe to you.
Silk + Steel: Sustainable Fashions Handmade Locally (PHOTO GALLERY)
With no experience in the fashion design industry, Pamela Walters and longtime friend Jean Robinson retired from Indiana University in 2018 and 2017, respectively, and decided to delve into their own clothing line, Silk + Steel.
New Morgenstern Bookstore To Open in Spring
Rick Morgenstern says he closed his independent bookstore, Morgenstern Booksellers, in 1996 after national chains Barnes & Noble and Borders squeezed him out. But he never gave up on his dream of reopening, which he plans to do in May.
ETC for the Home Reimagined: Offering More Choices and Better Prices
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many businesses to reassess their operations and perhaps alter their practices, and ETC for the Home, Bloomington’s locally owned home furnishing and interior design center, is one of them.
MASKS: The Great Christmas Stocking Stuffer of 2020
While masks started out as an unwanted piece of personal protective equipment, they’re now morphing into something else: a fashion statement.
Bloomington’s Best Bows!
At Tivoli Fashions, purchases come with a little something extra: complimentary gift wrapping by owner Cheryl Nichoalds that looks beautiful beneath the Christmas tree.
Flashy, Artsy, Gaudy: Socks Make a Fashion Statement (PHOTO GALLERY)
“The sock has become an important fashion statement to allow people—even some really conservative people—to have some flair,” says Andy Mallor, owner of Andrew Davis Clothiers.
Lee Loves: April/May 2020
After months of gray days, Bloomington’s glorious spring brings smiles to our faces. Local retailers have an array of practical and whimsical finds that pop with cheery colors to add even more joy to your day!
Bedford Artist’s Abstract Paintings Now Adorn Raincoats and Jackets
When she first put paintbrush to canvas, Janet Barnette didn’t imagine that her vibrant, abstract paintings would someday be used as the fabric design for high-end outerwear.
Mainstream Boutique: Styles for Mother, Daughter & Grandma, Too!
Mainstream Boutique has a multigenerational approach, and owner Cathleen Jackson and her staff work on personally styling each woman who walks through the door.
A Tivoli Fashion Shoot Leads to Modeling Career
Melanie Surian Pickett and Cheryl Nichoalds met 10 years ago when Pickett was shopping at Nichoalds’ store, Tivoli Fashions, in downtown Bloomington.
Mirth for Higher-End, Quality Women’s Shoes
When Mirth opened its Fountain Square storefront in 2018, co-owners Amanda Forgas and Kelly Jennings weren’t sure the shop had the space to carry shoes, but they knew they wanted to. “Kelly and I are both lovers of shoes, so we knew if we could offer footwear, we would do it,” Forgas says.
Find a Piece of History at the IU Surplus Store
“If IU owns it, we sell it,” says Todd Reid, manager of the Indiana University Surplus Store, 2931 E. 10th St. From ballpoint pens to game-worn IU jerseys to the contents of entire hospitals, IU Surplus is the university’s retail outlet, selling unwanted items from departments across the IU campuses.
Lee Loves: December/January 2020
Old Man Winter is whistling at our keyholes, but Bloomington businesses are amply stocked with items to keep us warm and cozy.
The Tailored Fit Presents The University of Sewing
With Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College in its midst, Bloomington is known as a college town. Now, the city can boast yet another institute of learning—the University of Sewing.
Where to Find IU Gear Galore
From die-hard sports fans to casually proud alumni, students, and faculty, Hoosiers are not shy about flying their crimson-and-cream colors or sporting IU’s iconic, more-than-a-century-old, interlock logo.
Glenn Close’s Costumes Add Glam to IU Fashion Collection
In 2013, actress Glenn Close began collaborating with Indiana University on a college pilot program for Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit organization she founded that works to destigmatize mental illness. As that partnership unfolded, another one emerged.
Lee Loves: October/November 2019
Strolling around downtown Bloomington on a crisp autumn day is one of our town’s great pleasures. Be sure to visit the businesses on the Square and see what’s new.
Posh Boutique Caters ‘To Ladies from 20 to 80’
With a daughter and two young grandchildren residing in Bloomington, Laurel Nardine thought it was a good time to move her fashion boutique, Posh, from one Indiana downtown to another. So, after seven years in Vincennes, Nardine relocated Posh Boutique to 118 S. College, the space formerly occupied by Lola and Company.
IU to Hold Fashion Show For Folks With Disabilities
The fashion world has rarely accommodated people living with disabilities. Most often, clothing created for individuals who use a wheelchair, are unable to manipulate buttons, or need specialized footwear or other clothing adaptations comes with an obvious, sometimes awkward, preference for function over form.
Book-Themed T-Shirts Are Popular at the Book Corner
Clothing can tell you a lot about a person, including what they read.
Andrew Davis for High-End Footwear
With a curated collection of men’s clothing and accessories that come from all over the world, Andrew Davis Clothiers has provided menswear in Bloomington since 2008.
By Hand Gallery—Artists’ Cooperative Still Going Strong After Four Decades
When By Hand Gallery celebrates 40 years of offering downtown Bloomington shoppers original, handcrafted art, the festivities will include demonstrations in stone carving, scarf tying, and pottery making. And there’s a good chance there will be cake to mark the occasion.
Moon Stones: Selling Gems, Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils
Located in an iconic Victorian-style building at the corner of East Kirkwood and South Grant Street (that also houses Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar and The Laughing Planet Cafe), Moon Stones sells gems, rocks, crystals, and fossils as old or older than the limestone from which the structure was built.
The Munns: Makers Of Artistic Furniture (FIRE UPDATE)
Vicki and Lance Munn make art furniture—functional objects of beauty designed to be timeless—under the name VicLan. “We decided we wanted a legacy statement, like an heirloom, as opposed to being trendy,” Vicki explains. “We sign and date everything we make.”
B-town Kids Don Their Best at Fashion Show & Tea Party PHOTO GALLERY)
In late April, Fountain Square Mall retailers partnered to present the second annual children’s Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party
Artists Descend on Bloomington For Annual Fourth Street Festival (PHOTO GALLERY)
In many places, Labor Day weekend is associated with cookouts and last-chance dips in the lake, but in Bloomington, the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts has been woven into the community’s holiday celebration since its beginning in 1977.
Blue Heron: For Tools, Designs, and a Gallery of Woodcrafts
On the city’s north side, in an area that has sprung to life with the development of the Bloomington Trades District, is where you’ll find Blue Heron. It’s a place where wood artisans come to buy supplies, take classes, and sell their work.
Tivoli Fashions: Classic Style For the Post-College Woman [Photo Gallery]
In the 45-plus years that Cheryl Nichoalds has been selling women’s apparel, more than a few fashion trends have come and gone, but the classic styles that she carries in her Bloomington store, Tivoli Fashions, have stood the test of time.
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: The Girls of Meadowood
Bloomington’s unofficial dress code might be called laid-back casual. But there is one place in town that’s the exception. Drop in at the Meadowood Retirement Community for social hour any Friday evening or on any special event day and you’ll find the residents strategically dressed to the nines.
Retro Scarf Exhibition & Sale To Benefit Projects in Africa
For many, the term “designer fashion” conjures up visions of expensive garments destined for the wardrobes of the wealthy. An upcoming exhibit and sale, “Retro Visions: Democratizing Scarf Art,” refutes that notion while helping some of the world’s poorest people—women and children in Kenya.
Downtown Businesses Put on Spring Fashion Show & Tea Party
O’Child Children’s Boutique and ElliMae’s Boutique are joining forces to put on what they hope will become an annual event: a Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party.
Lee Loves: April/May 2019
Spring is in the air, and many of our local retailers have something in their inventory to help you embrace this lovely season in Bloomington.
Piace Boutique: Fashion for All Ages (Photo Gallery)
When Johna Davis and Heather Short first opened Piace Boutique in 2010, it was a leap of faith. Born and raised in Bloomington, they each had stable careers—Davis was a certified public accountant, Short a surgical technician. But they both felt there was a gap in the local fashion market.
Awful Cloth Student-Created Fashion Line
Even though he is just 19, Indiana University sophomore Charles Zayed has a history of marketing and selling things.
Trashion Refashion Runway Show to Feature Ten Years of Couture
In 2010, Jeanne Leimkuhler, then a board member and treasurer for The Center for Sustainable Living (CSL), was so inspired by an event she’d heard about in Portland, Oregon, that she spearheaded Bloomington’s first Trashion Refashion Runway Show.
Cactus Flower: New Location For New & Vintage Fashions
If you’ve recently traveled past the Park South development at the intersection of East Hillside Drive and South Henderson Street, you might have noticed a familiar name among the new businesses there.
Lee Loves
With Jack Frost nipping at our noses (and other body parts), we’re all yearning for that special something that makes us feel pampered. Local retailers offer a blizzard of luxurious finds ready to make your home more inviting or to deck you out in style when you must brave the elements.
Two Young Entrepreneurs Create Underground Streetwear
While most of their peers are navigating the ins and outs of college, Bloomington natives David Norris, 19, and Evan Lutes, 20, are making a name for themselves in the world of underground streetwear with their independent fashion line, Kito.
Rebloomed Clothes & Erode Apparel Making Custom Upcycled Fashions
Indiana University sophomore Daisy May started her business, Rebloomed Clothes, as a high school senior. “I have been interested in fashion design since I was a child,” says May.
Mirth—A Pop-Up Boutique Finds a Permanent Home
Mirth co-owners Amanda Forgas and Kelly Jennings were struggling to get the fledgling boutique up and running earlier this year when a mistake gave them some unexpected momentum. It came shortly after they attended a trade show to meet with women’s apparel sales representatives.
UU Art Fair & Bazaar at 60 — Still Supporting Social Justice
An event that began as a way to support civil rights in the 1950s continues today, helping support social justice efforts here and around the world.
Lee Loves
Bloomington’s fall season is full of traditions and sensual delights—from tailgating and trick-or-treating to gazing at the brilliant foliage, sipping cider, or crunching into a caramel apple. Autumnal delights also abound on the shelves of local independent retailers. Take a look!
EllieMae’s Boutique Now Open on Downtown Square
A decade after it opened in Solsberry, Indiana, offering soaps, perfumes, and similar small items, EllieMae’s Boutique has grown up and found a new home on the Bloomington downtown Square.
Where to Find Pre-Owned Bargains and Help Those Less Fortunate
Bloomington’s bargain hunters regularly make the circuit of our area’s reliable resale emporia looking for everything from toys and trinkets to furniture and formal wear—and frequently score unexpected one-of-a-kind treasures. Here’s a quick guide to the nonprofit purveyors of deeply discounted goods.
Lola + Company: Fashions for All Ages
Customers of Bloomington boutique Lola + Company know if something is for sale in the store, it has owner Lisa Orme Richardson’s stamp of approval.
Local Designer Gives New Life to Keepsake T-Shirts
Fashion-savvy Bloomingtonians seeking a personal touch for their wardrobe might consider the unusual creations made by Jane Matranga. Since she retired from teaching fashion design at Indiana University in May, Matranga has been amping up her line of Ms Tarantula sportswear, including a variety of casualwear made almost entirely of previously worn T-shirts.
Law School Assistant Dean Has Line of Skin Care Products
Lesley Davis was often taken aback when she would peruse the product labels of skin care products. Even those billed as natural or organic contained long lists of chemical ingredients with impenetrable, multisyllabic names.
O’Child Children’s Boutique: More Than 40 Brands from Around World
Bloomington resident Hyun Kwon had been a loyal customer of O’Child Children’s Boutique for more than eight years when she learned the store was scheduled to close at the end of 2016.
For Bargains Galore, Hoosier to Hoosier Sale Aug. 18
BY BARB BERGGOETZ It could be called a garage sale extraordinaire. On Saturday, August 18, the...
Blond Genius Denim Bar—More Than Just Jeans (PHOTO GALLERY)
When Katie Whitson moved from Iowa to Bloomington to be closer to her family, she realized that many of her favorite clothing brands weren’t available here. She opened the first Blond Genius store outside of Iowa in Fountain Square Mall in December 2015. In August 2016, she relocated to Renwick Village Center.
Lee Loves
Spring has sprung in Bloomington—the time of year when Mother Nature struts her stuff. The shelves of local retailers are burgeoning with merchandise that embraces the season and all it has to offer.
1818 Apparel Co. Offering Eco-Friendly Clothes & Gifts
Every shirt with the label 30A Dumpster Diver is made from eight, 16-ounce plastic bottles retrieved from landfills. The hats and bags from Real Deal Brazil are made from repurposed heavy canvas trucking tarps. And the lip glosses, perfumes, and soaps from Columbus, Indiana-based Garb 2 Art are packaged in recycled materials.
Leather-Bound Classic Books In Demand at Caveat Emptor
When Eric and Catherine Brown bought Caveat Emptor Used Books in 2016, they didn’t want to make a lot of big changes to the storied institution. “We wanted to let the books do the talking,” Eric says.
Opportunity House Celebrates 50 Years of Thrifty Style
Opportunity House was founded by a group of church ladies in 1968 to help low-income families with small children, but for five decades it has also been on the radar of Bloomingtonians looking for a fashionable bargain. The nonprofit resale shop, located in a rambling gray building at 907 W. 11th St., has several rooms stocked with donations of designer clothing, trendy accessories, vintage goods, jewelry, housewares, and books. Sales benefit the child care programs of Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM).
Skirt & Satchel Targets City’s Young Professionals
Andy McManis says fashion has always been a big part of her life, from making her own clothes with her mother to working at a boutique that offered styling services for celebrity clients, including concert promoters, music video producers—even the World Music Awards. Now, as owner of Skirt & Satchel, McManis has brought her fashion sense to Bloomington, targeting the city’s young professionals.
Bloomington Hardware: Offering Services an Online Store Can’t
As the owner of Bloomington Hardware, Vickie Davison says she’s been competing with big box stores and the internet for years. “But Bloomington really celebrates local businesses,” she says. “And that’s huge, because it doesn’t matter what the business is, if people don’t shop there, then that business will close.” Still, she points out that being a brick-and-mortar hardware store carries one advantage: “If you need a plunger, you need it now.”
Trashion Refashion Runway Show Set for April 8 at Buskirk-Chumley (VIDEO / PHOTO GALLERY)
Now in its ninth year, the Trashion Refashion Runway Show brings together clothing designers, models, and pretty much anyone interested in giving new life to old clothes and diverting materials from the landfill.
At Framemakers, Anything Can Be Framed From Handkerchiefs to Pistols to Old, Worn Shoes
Michael Friesel at Framemakers says he’s seen it all—from the whimsical and unusual to the solemn and touching.
Indiana Knives: A Little Shop For Pocketknife Enthusiasts
As a student at Indiana University, Indiana Knives owner Eric Ziliak, 25, never thought he’d open his own business. Ziliak, a criminal justice major, graduated from the IU Police Academy in 2014 and worked as an IUPD officer for almost two years.
Gifts for the Kids in Your Life
O’Child Children’s Boutique, on the south side of the downtown Square at 101 W. Kirkwood, features upscale clothing, toys, and books sourced from manufacturers in the United States and around the world. When mother-of-two Hyun Kwon heard the Fountain Square Mall store was closing last year, the former customer became the new owner, and reopened the business in June.
Watch as They Work at Volta Glass Studio (PHOTO GALLERY)
In 1998, at a glass studio in Newburgh, Indiana, Ryan Hoffman was formally introduced to the art form that would become his career.
State Says ‘No Ban Allowed on Plastic Bags’—Local Group Says ‘Bring Your Own’
When Victoria Hilkevitch Bedford goes shopping, she doesn’t go empty-handed; she carries reusable bags. It’s a habit.
Beidler Made Books Hand-Made the Age-Old Way
Twenty-first century products are typically mass-produced, manufactured from man-made materials, and designed to be disposable. In contrast, Brien Beidler’s books are made in the manner of a pre-industrial bookbinder—they’re handcrafted from natural materials, and they’re meant to last.
My Sister’s Closet: Bargains for a Cause (PHOTO GALLERY)
Many Bloomington residents know My Sister’s Closet as a place to find bargains on gently used women’s clothing and accessories. What some might not know is that it’s more than a resale shop—it’s also a nonprofit organization that helps women achieve economic self-sufficiency.
New Location and New Swiss-Made Sewing Machines at The Tailored Fit
Margaret Fette, owner of The Tailored Fit, a custom-made clothing and alteration shop, says she doesn’t want any frustrated seamstresses in Bloomington, let alone anyone walking around in ill-fitting clothes.
Gather Moves to New Space in Storefront on the Square
When Athena, a long-time Bloomington establishment located on the downtown Square, closed in the spring, Talia Halliday was disappointed. But as the owner of Gather, a shop featuring the handmade work of more than 250 local and regional artists, Halliday also saw an opportunity.
Andrew Davis Clothiers: A Local Success Story on the Square (GALLERY)
At a time when clothing can be purchased everywhere from big-box stores to online retailers, Andrew Davis Clothiers offers something that is increasingly rare: personal service from experts who are knowledgeable not only about the products, but also about their customers’ needs.
Bloomington Clothing Co.: Easy Apparel for Women 35 & Older
When Lorraine Hanna returned to her hometown of Bloomington in 1995 after 15 years in Hawaii as a buyer for Maui Clothing Company, she was frustrated with the town’s limited clothing options. “I couldn’t find clothes in Bloomington I wanted to wear,” Hanna says.
How Finding Rare Books Became Artist Dale Steffey’s Profession
Dale Steffey is one of the rare few who has managed to turn his passion into a profession. A couple of times. The 65-year-old native of Shelbyville, Indiana, came to Bloomington to study at Indiana University, and graduated in 1975 with a degree in secondary education. However, he was working at Trilogy Gallery in Nashville, Indiana, when he became interested in the art of stained glass—and in artist Dawn Adams, who became his wife. So instead of teaching, he worked with Adams as a glass artist for 30 years.
Bloomington Stitchery Offers ‘Tailoring for Every Body’
Bloomington Stitchery’s commitment to body positivity is visible from the parking lot. A rainbow banner in the window of the new storefront reads, “You are loved,” and the store’s slogan, “Fine Tailoring for Every Body,” is on the sign outside.
Royale Hair Parlor Creates a Unique Wedding Suite
Sometimes the most treasured images of a bride’s big day are captured as she and her party get ready for the ceremony—the casual moments when hair is being done and makeup applied. So when Royale Hair Parlor began booking an increasing number of wedding parties, owner Bridgett DiVohl began thinking about how she might create a more private, celebratory space for her clients.
Cox Creek Mill: Where Detritus Becomes Art
Sometimes referred to as the “Home of the Iron Gate,” Cox Creek Mill in Nashville, Indiana, is the home and studio of metalwork artist Brad Cox.
Morgantown Shop Has Everything For Beekeepers, Including Advice
For new and experienced beekeepers alike, Graham’s Bee Works offers bee packages, hive supplies, and classes.
Classic Looks at Tivoli Fashions
Tivoli Fashions aims to offer clothing that reflects the Bloomington aesthetic for the post-college-age woman.
Pedego Bloomington Electric Bikes: New Shop for New Breed of Bicycle
Even for those who haven’t ridden a bike in 40 years, Pedego Bloomington Electric Bikes offers easy-to-ride bicycles.
Clutch Fabrication and Design: More Than Just Metalwork
Josh Smith says he came from a family of doers, which has translated well into his life as the owner of Clutch Fabrication and Design.
House of Clocks in Morgantown Selling and Repairing All Kinds of Clocks
The Condons have owned House of Clocks in Morgantown, Indiana since 2003 and have committed themselves to selling and repairing clocks of every variety.
Elevated Citizen: A New Men’s Store in Town
Men’s clothing designer Kaleb Ryan established his menswear line EC Chantal in 2013, and has now opened the brand’s first brick-and-mortar store, Elevated Citizen, in Bloomington.
Relish — Women’s Clothing That Transcends Trendiness
BY TRACY ZOLLINGER TURNER In an era of cheap, disposable, and environmentally unsound fast...
This Holiday Season, Start a New Tradition — Shop Locally
BY CARMEN SIERING When holiday shopping starts in earnest on Thanksgiving weekend, many folks...
The Virtuous Bee: An Online Skin Product Business (Photo Gallery)
BY BARB BERGGOETZ When Jennifer Bland gets an idea, she doesn’t waste any time putting it into...
Bone Appetit in Nashville A Gourmet Bakery — For Dogs
BY SARA SHEIKH After working in the travel industry and owning two other businesses, Susan Rice...
Jeff’s Warehouse: Find the Unusual and Mid-Century Modern (Photo Gallery)
BY BARB BERGGOETZ Jeff Scofield gets a kick out of hunting down unusual vintage home furnishings...
Bespoke Formal Wear Shop: Downtown on the Square (Photo Gallery)
BY JEREMY SHERE Last December, men’s clothier Andrew Davis, located on the south side of the...
Samboola’s Trading Co. in Ellettsville: Local ‘Purveyors of Goods & Stuff’
BY SARA SHEIKH Located in the heart of downtown Ellettsville, Samboola’s Trading Co. — “Purveyors...
The Tailored Fit: Custom-Made Clothes for Men and Women
BY BARB BERGGOETZ As a young girl, Margaret Fette’s favorite toys were Barbie dolls — especially...
Enter the Non-Virtual World When You Come Into Athena
BY PETER DORFMAN Merribeth Fender, co-owner of Athena, invites people to step away from work, put...
Fallen Leaf Books: A Nashville Shop That Almost Wasn’t
BY PAMELA KEECH Carey Spain is a gentle 61-year-old with a lifetime love of collecting books. He’s...
Blue Heron Shop: Woodworking Supplies, Vintage Furnishings, and Unusual Functional Multimedia Art
BY SOPHIE BIRD Michael Evans, owner of Blue Heron woodworking supply and vintage home furnishings...
Tivoli Fashions and Jewelry: A Marriage of Apparel and Pearls
BY ROSIE PIGA PIZZO Like the classic women’s apparel it features, Tivoli Fashions has stood the...
