Shop Local Indianapolis :: GUIDE
DISCLAIMER: Hey reader! Please know the City of Fishers is a valued partner of theCityMoms. Because of this relationship, we occasionally share sponsored content we feel could be valuable or interesting for your family, like this guide to our favorite spots to shop local in the Indianapolis area. Small Business Saturday arrives this year on November 30th, including the Shop Fishers initiative - a special local celebration of Small Business Saturday with special deals and promotions at businesses throughout Fishers. To celebrate, we're doing a fun + spirited review of our favorite local businesses. We think you'll discover some new faves here! Read on, reader…
For as big a game as we talk, the fact is this: theCityMoms is a proud small business. And maybe it's that entrepreneurial spirit in us that makes us recognize it in others, but the fact is, we're here to support local moms, the local community and the businesses inside it.
Here's a look at the small businesses of Indy where we love to shop local and why they're so important...
They keep us caffeinated...
We're looking at you Aahaa Chai. Available at local farmers markets and via Market Wagon's online farmer market delivery service, Aahaa bedazzles and be-caffeinates us with their masala chai concentrates from the classic bold to their chocomate. Moms, you need this in your daily lives. Plus their owners + staff could not be sweeter. Call us smitten.
But when we're craving a little coffeehouse nook to catch up with other CityMoms, our monthly Moms+Littles group alternates locations around Indy. The local faves we've discovered this year? Bovaconti Coffee in Fountain Square, Schoolhouse 7 Cafe in Fishers, Della Leva of Fishers, and Java House Coffee Bar of Carmel. {Coming up in 2020: LaTea Lounge on Mass Ave + Brickhouse Coffee Roasters in Greenwood!}
They keep OUR fashionable lewks on trend...
Where to start really? Dottie Couture has long been a bestie of ours for trendy clothing a} without breaking the bank, and b} keeping us in the loop on what's good like NOW. We remember them during their awkward teen phase under the brand name Lottie Dottie Boutique and love them even more now that they're prom queens destined for Ivy League. This may not be a small biz much longer!
Then there's CityMom alum Brandi Linn whose own boho brand Sister Bird Boutique has us salivating for fringe, prints and all the flowy pants possible. We're ready to pre-order the Spring line already. Other faves?
317Knot Studio - Girl. You need creator Sara's GORGE macrame earrings/necklaces/all-the-things in your life. Put in your holiday orders now or get out of the way because we're right behind you.
Rebel Vintage - a new{er} Midtown stop specializing in vintage clothing, records, home decor and - if we're being honest - one of the best accessories selections in town.
Shop Gina Celeste - an online boutique that often partners locally for pop-up shops {bonus: CityMoms members save 15%!}
The Toggery - Cannot go in here without checking out the rack curated by local stylist Laura Walters {aka "Style Riot"}. She'll have you thinking mixed prints in no time. Toggery offers upscale resale clothing we die for and Anthro goods to boot. CityMoms members save an add'l 10% here too!
They make our CityKids look good {when they want to stay dressed that is}...
First up is Roman + Leo, an all-boys boutique located in Fishers that stocks cool, mod boys clothes + accessories. Where some think boys should be limited to sport logos or construction vehicles, R+L reminds us ribbed henleys, drop crotch cotton, and hints of hardlines are just fine. #BoyMomApproved
Nurture did you think we'd get through this without mentioning you? Notachance. Nurture Baby + Child Boutique is a go-to for adorable apparel + accessories, from Tea Collection to local Sunday Afternoon Housewife to owner Ashley's own Kitten & Acorn lines. Even better - a permanent Mass Ave location and Fashion Mall pop-up make it even more convenient than their online shop to 'pop' in.
Southside's Little Love by Lok {intro'ed to us by Yelp Indy - heyyyyy friends!} + the twice-annual Whale of a Sale Children's Consignment Event where many CityMoms stock up seasons of clothing on the cheap round out all our local littles shopping love.
They keep our homes looking fiiiiiine...
We knew Allisonville Garden + Home was a go-to for outdoor needs but a recent CityMoms trip brought light to their robust selection of housewares and holiday goods and now we may never go anywhere else again.
However if AG+H doesn't have it, Habig definitely will. This top-secret spot for fiddle leafs and houseplants galore will have you screaming sansevieria at first glance.
If you're in search for more mod finds, Inhabit of Irvington, Haus Love in midtown, Grounded Plant + Floral Co in downtown Indy, and FLUX of Fountain Square {specializing in MCM goods} definitely do it for us. For more unique finds, head to Midland Antiques near downtown Indy or Consigned by Design in Fishers.
They dress the guys in our lives...
Oh hey The Shop of Indy, this is your territory. We love you for all the sports+hometown swag like Hoosier Dome tees and Rik Smits reminders. The fact that you honor a CityMoms-exclusive perk of savings is just an added bonus.
Repeat offenders: The Toggery of Broad Ripple's new mens section and those friends in Fishers at Roman + Leo again! Then James Dant off Washington Street in downtown Indy and Toolbox Men's Supply on Mass Ave help round us out.
They keep our inner {and outer} goddesses looking good...
When we're looking for a hard sweat, we're tracking down The Hot Room. Owner Hye-Jin has long been a supporter of theCityMoms and we love her for it. To boot, her team's piping-hot yoga classes help us cleanse the parental angst from our system and feel refreshed when we leave.
Speaking of yoga, Invoke Studio at 86th and Ditch and downtown boasts class schedules that fits perfectly with preschool dropoffs and weekend 'me' time.
Others on our list of faves? CycleBar locations around the city including CityMom alum Amanda's newest spot in Fishers, Hoosier Heights climbing gym, and Goldfish Swim School of Carmel and Fishers has the kids swimming laps while we relax {thanks guys!}.
They feed us...
Wow. Just wow. Way too many favorite stops to name here because the Indianapolis area is a robust foodie heaven. But if we had to toss out some must-gos-per-meal-type, this would be our starter list:
Breakfast/brunch: Rize Restaurant {Ironworks + now Fishers}, The Garden Table of Mass Ave + Broad Ripple, Good Morning Mama's in midtown, Cafe Audrey {Fort Ben}, Rosie's Place of Carmel, Zionsville + Noblesville, and frankly, Taylor's Bakery {both Indianapolis + Fishers}. OR, just pop by a local farmer's market like the Fishers' option and snack your way thru.
Lunch: Cafe Patachou we're looking at you, Pure Eatery in Fountain Square + Fishers, Half Liter BBQ of midtown, Maxine's Chicken+Waffles in downtown Indy, newly-opened Baby's {Herron-Morton} + anything at City Market downtown.
Dinner/date night: Books + Brews in all their various Indy-based locations, Late Harvest Kitchen at Keystone at the Crossing, Field Brewing {Westfield}, and literally anything on the Devour Indy list.
So tell us: Did we miss any of YOUR favorite local small businesses? We're listening over on Twitter and ready for your feedback - after all with 15 events a month to plan, we're always looking for suggestions.
MORE INFO: The Shop Fishers - Small Business Saturday celebration arrives November 30, 2019, with special offers and deals at more than 60+ Fishers stores. Discover full details and RSVP to the Shop Fishers Facebook event page to stay in the loop or visit the City of Fishers website for more.
