9 independent retailers making a difference in Downtown Wabash

Did you know that for every $1 spent in an independent retailer’s business, 67¢ stays in the local economy? It’s true! What’s an independent retailer? Independent retailers are ones who build their business without help from an established brand. Most small businesses in Downtown Wabash, Indiana are independent retailers.

Why all this talk about independent retailers? In Downtown Wabash, we’re celebrating Independent Retailers Month! These 9 independently owned businesses in our Micropolitan Downtown are making a difference.

Kelli Winer Design, Interior Design Studio

Kelli Winer, the namesake of her Canal Street interior design studio, has been designing and completing various design aspects since 2007. Kelli Winer Design (KWD) brings Kelli’s passion for relationships, cultivating inviting spaces and fulfilling design solutions with integrity into your space. When you book a consultation or service with Kelli, your space will be envisioned, influenced, refreshed and/or renewed. Upon entering the Kelli Winer Design showroom, you’ll see color, style, varying heights and textures, which are often used in her transformation processes in the spaces she designs.

How is Kelli Winer Design making a difference? KWD’s mission to envision, influence, refresh or renew old or new spaces grants her clients the freedom of expression in their space. A majority of KWD’s pieces in the studio are upcycled materials from past projects, realty staging, and vintage and antique stores, making her projects “greener” for clients.

Make It Your Own Art Studio, Interactive Art Studio

Owned by Karen Eilts-Walter, an artist herself, Make It Your Own Art Studio (MIYO Art Studio) is a second story art studio on Canal Street. This 12-years-old art studio is truly a hands-on creative space for artists of all skill levels to access their creative brains and create their own work-of-art. Karen works to allow various creative outlets for artists. Take advantage of MIYO Art Studio’s reservable studio time, workshops, classes, art camps and more! Get creative with any medium like painting, sketching, pottery and glass.

How is Make It Your Own Art Studio making a difference? MIYO Art Studio opens tables to artists of any skill level to create what their imagination wants. In a world of seemingly endless noise, MIYO Art Studio provides affordable access to silence the noise through creativity, which is perfect for families, friends or even solo artists.

Bluebird Boutique, Premiere Women’s Clothing Boutique

Bluebird Boutique opened its doors in Downtown Wabash, Indiana for the first time on March 6, 2020 and overcame early 2020, when most independently owned businesses had to halt operations or transition to online sales only. This unique boutique offers a variety of respected US brands including Kan Can, Liverpool, Fifteen Twenty and Brighton and local artisans. Bluebird Boutique will go above and beyond your customer service expectations with personalized fittings, styling, gift wrapping and much more.

How is Bluebird Boutique making a difference? Bluebird Boutique soars above the customer service guidelines, helping women feel comfortable and confident in what they wear. Owner Kim Gangstad demonstrates through her staff that clothing is meant to be comfortable, look great and shopping to find that clothing should be an experience you always come back for.

Ellen’s Bridal, Dress & Bridal Boutique

Founded in 2012, Ellen’s Bridal continues to rise to the occasion for brides-to-be. This mother-daughter boutique ensures nothing but excellence and elegance through available gowns, tuxes and accessories. Upon entry, find walls lined with exquisite wedding gowns and an elegant, front-window, mirrored riser for brides to fall in love with their perfect dress. The Ellen’s Experience translates into pre-appointment, day-of and post-appointment tasks and rituals like getting to know your tastes in styles, popping champagne to celebrate finding the perfect dress and reminders for the bride and her entourage to complete alterations and more.

How is Ellen’s Bridal making a difference? Ellen’s shares the love throughout Wabash County and connects their brides to other independently owned wedding businesses. Other highly regarded wedding services like hair and makeup, cakes, venues, music, flowers, photography and more are recommended by Ellen’s, keeping the small business support going.

White Rock Recreation, Five-in-One Outdoor Recreation Hub

Once an ice cream shop, now an outfitter, ice cream shop, pizza parlor, fitness court and social gathering site. White Rock Recreation holds all five amenities in one, making it the perfect weekend adventure spot. Start with a 3-6 hour float down the mighty Wabash River, exit the river and head up to White Rock for wood fired pizza and ice cream. After you’ve enjoyed your long day’s trip down the river and you’ve finished your food, hang out for a bit with family-friendly yard games, live music and the sounds of the roaring river.

How is White Rock Recreation making a difference? White Rock is activating the natural resource (Wabash River) that cuts through Downtown Wabash, Indiana, making it accessible to anyone interested. Using fitness and healthy lifestyle components of the Wabash Fitness Court and Wabash River Trail trailhead, White Rock Recreation successfully marries hard work and wholesome play for a weekend of fun.

Reading Room Books, Used Bookstore

Boasting as one of Indiana’s largest used bookstores, Reading Room Books is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, corner-to-corner books. This cozy, classic bookstore features a special wall of Hoosier authors, keeping its own contents within its walls as local as local can get. Sprinkled throughout the bookstore are quiet pockets of comfortable reading chairs and coffee tables. Picture yourself as a character of a book, reading a book about bookstores, and that’s what Reading Room Books is like. This bookstore is also a verified Amazon Seller and ships out hundreds of books regularly. Have books that someone else should read? Bring them to Reading Room Books for a quick sale and earn in-store credit toward even more books.

How is Reading Room Books making a difference? While shopping at Reading Room Books keeps the local economy thriving, thrifting these used books keeps the books and paper out of landfills, reduces carbon and chemical pollution caused by book production and lowers water consumption used to create new books. Used books are the new green.

Nicole A. Howard Photography, Photographer

Nicole Howard has been snapping memorable photos since 2004. Over the years, Nicole’s photography has adapted and her studio in Downtown Wabash, Indiana adapts with it. Book Nicole for newborn, senior, family and maternity photos at an affordable cost and options for in or out-of-studio photos. Nicole often runs a themed, digital files special at Wabash First Fridays in her studio; walk in for two photos for $25 with a digital file sent to you soon after. 

How is Nicole A. Howard Photography making a difference? Nicole understands that newborn photography can be a delicate craft. Her studio in Downtown offers newborn families flexibility to hold an entire shoot in a quiet, comfortable space with many props and backdrops. This all-in-one offering at Nicole’s studio makes the session stress-free for families.

Myo Wellness, Massage Therapist

Myo Wellness is located in Downtown Wabash, Indiana, owned and operated by Mandy Combs. Myo is located inside Market Street Square and has a quiet, comfortable space for new and returning clients. Services include 30-Minute Focused Cupping Sessions, 60, 90 and 120-Minute Customized Massage Therapy Sessions, Mobile Massages and Chair Massages. Mandy was inspired to pursue massage therapy work as her career after enduring repetitive stress injuries in office settings. Her ambition led her to offer a variety of services that aid in relieving both physical and mental stress.

How is Myo Wellness making a difference? Myo Wellness gives thanks to veterans, active duty military members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, EMTs and first responders with a 10% discount. Mandy’s care and emphasis for veterans and active service members promotes healing and wellness in areas that are often neglected after and during service.

Modoc’s Market, Coffee Shop

Modoc’s Market, a longstanding local favorite, serves locally roasted, high quality coffee beverages, homemade pastries, small batch lunches and other specialty treats. Inside Modoc’s you’re greeted by elephants, paying homage to the tale of Modoc the Elephant, the Ringling Bros. Great American Circus Elephant. Modoc’s Market has a merchandise table available with various local goods, Modoc’s merch and bags of the same locally roasted coffee they use behind the bar. Grab a cup of coffee and sit among the delightfully decorated windows that wrap around the entire cafe; the windows change by season and give great scenery both internally and externally.

How is Modoc’s Market making a difference? Modoc’s is reducing its carbon footprint every single day. Your next beverage at Modoc’s Market is “green,” meaning that it’s either in a plant-based material to-go cup with a sippable lid and paper straw or it’s in a for-here mug to be used during your longer visit. Modoc’s helps its community by making tangible, sustainable changes to save the environment, one coffee cup at a time.

How are your favorite independent retailers in Downtown Wabash, Indiana making a difference? Odds are that the difference is bigger than you think! Celebrate Independent Retailers Week with us and tell your favorite shop owners “Thank you for choosing Wabash!”

Keep the love going and visit a new shop in Downtown Wabash!