Something positive came to be during Covid, when two friends and fellow stylists-Julia Hayes and Victoria Conrad- followed their creative passions during the mandatory shut down. They funneled their creativity into a side-hustle – making clothing, jewelry, and accessories and selling them online and eventually through pop-ups and vendor shows. Steadily, the Garrettsville residents business grew – creating the need for more space to create items, hold events, and sell their wares to the public.
And this month, they’ve opened a bright and inviting storefront on Main Street (8108 Main Street) between Business Works and the Main Street Barber Shop in Garrettsville. On Saturday, August 10th, Always Indie, this female-owned boutique that features creations from 15 local women’s businesses, opened their doors. And just as the adversities of Covid sparked the beginning of this enterprise, the storms that knocked out power for so many couldn’t keep these ladies from celebrating the grand opening of their boutique.
Always Indie features their own line of clothing, accessories, gemstone bracelets and permanent jewelry. In addition, they also feature a curated collection of items by other female entrepreneurs. Aunna Cosmetics, BakeMeaCandle, Blooming Seed Cards, Bohemian Mama skin products, Books a Go Go, with Touch and Feel Kids Books and Blind Date With a Book items provide a bevy of items for gifting. Emily’s Soaps, Kensie + Bloom crochet creations, embellished hats by Hobbitual Tinkering, essential oil products from Lemyn & Lavendar, Nurse with a Laser custom engraved tumblers and Crystals from Superbloom by Syd provide a variety of items perfect for you or someone on your gift list.
The shop is kid-friendly, with Hayes’ three and four-year-old daughters ‘helping’ mom at the shop. According to Hayes, they highly recommend the crocheted pieces as well as the kids’ books and sensory kits and playdough. They also enjoy playing with new friends in the shop’s workshop area while their grownups peruse the shop.
Always Indie offers one-a-a-kind handmade items by local artists, but also features creativity ‘bars’ for shoppers to create their own personalized items. At the trucker hat bar, you can customize your new lid (or backpack, baseball cap, or pouch) with patches, chains and pins. They’ve also got a charm bar, providing shoppers with an opportunity to customize charm bracelets or necklaces. And coming this fall, they’ll offer classes and opportunities for small groups to have fun while creating together.
The shop is open Tuesdays from 11 am – 3 pm & 5:30 pm – 8 pm; Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 am – 3 pm, Thursdays from 4 pm – 8 pm, and Saturdays 10 am until 4 pm. Always Indie is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For more information, check out Always Indie on social media: AlwaysIndie on Facebook or ShopAlwaysIndie on Instagram.
