Brown County Shopping: Land of the Spree
This article is part of the Rediscover Brown County package in the October 2016 Indianapolis Monthly issue. For more on our favorite fall destination, click here.
Fallen Leaf Books
Darling shop on a cozy side street—how books were sold before Amazon. You can grab a stack of discount paperbacks, cradle a $4,000 relic from the collection of rare volumes, or browse a section of Indiana authors and books about the region. 45 S. Jefferson St., 812-988-0202, fallenleafbookstore.com
Forever Sweet
Almost-too-pretty-to-eat cupcakes in flavors like peach cobbler, pumpkin spice, and maple bacon. 211 S. Van Buren St., 812-720-7060, facebook.com/foreversweetnashville
Hesitation Point Bicycles
All the gear for Brown County’s primo mountain biking trails, in a new location near the state park’s north entrance. No bike? No sweat: Rentals are affordable, the for-sale stock is deep, and the onsite repair shop offers tune-ups and expert advice. 51 Parkview Rd., 812-988-4566, hesitationpoint.com
Mariposa
Home-decor shop with one-of-a-kind treasures in the farmhouse-chic milieu, many with a vintage vibe: stenciled burlap pillows, distressed furniture, and tastefully picked flea-market finds. If you see something you like, buy it (because one-of-a-kind merchandise can’t be restocked). 125 S. Van Buren St.
Mulberry Cottage
A longstanding stop for whimsical home decor and gifts, the shop has gone boho boutique with the addition of gypsy dresses, flowy tops, vintage-inspired children’s wear, and a make-your-own jewelry bar. 46 W. Main St., 812-988-9803, facebook.com/themulberrycottage
Paws and Claws Pet Gifts
The pet-sclusive store welcomes your fur babies with toys, treats, and fashionable animal duds.
41 S. Van Buren St., 812-200-1358, facebook.com/pawsandclawspetgifts
Simply 4 You
Painted mason jars. Repurposed wine cork decorations. Kitschy wood signs hand-painted on-site by the owner. ’Nuff said. 145 S. Van Buren St., 812-350-8806
The Thomas Treehouse
An artist co-op featuring functional pieces by more than 40 local and Midwestern makers, carrying everything from jewelry to hand-thrown pottery tableware to heavy wooden cutting boards. You can watch proprietor and woodcarver Rhett Thomas at work in the store. 173 S. Old School Way, 812-720-7077, thethomastreehouse.com
Trail Hobo
Outdoorsy, granola-ish shop where campers and cabin-goers can hunt and gather artisanal Hoosier foodstuffs from the likes of U-Relish, B. Happy Peanut Butter, Indiana Pickle Company, and Indiana Craft Jerky. 71 W. Franklin St., 317-498-7207, trailhobo.com
