Author: Gather Shoppe
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Tales from a Shopkeep: New Year Reset
There’s this thing in the retail world – they call it a reset. I think. I mean, who am I kidding? I just make this shit up as I go! But, it sounds good nonetheless;) Every few months we make the store look new again. It’s important for us to change things out for a…
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Tales from a Shopkeep: BHM recap
Oh boy, this season has hit us like a mack truck, and there’s really no looking back! Where to start, where to start?! Let’s begin . . . at the beginning. Our NINTH annual Bloomington Handmade Market was just a few weeks ago, Nov 11, at the Monroe Convention Center. I can’t say enough positive…
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Tales from a Shopkeep : the transformation
I’ve wanted to document the transformation of our space for some time – but I made it pretty clear in my last blog that this all happened pretty quickly. Not to mention, I completely checked out for awhile and, just, I just wasn’t on my game. So, I didn’t really get proper ‘before’ photos. But,…
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Tales from a Shopkeep : long time coming
I always hate blog posts that begin with . . . “well, I haven’t written in awhile,” but, that’s just my truth right now. And it’s important to note because, well, I haven’t written in awhile because DAMN, life happened!! These past, oh, six months or so, have been an absolute whirlwind! We had an…
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Tales from a Shopkeep – political edition
It’s hard being Switzerland. And yet, here we are . . . small businesses in middle America trying to play it safe. I’ve always kept my head down. I’ve always tried to remain neutral. You have to when you run a business. You might not know that, if you don’t run a business yourself. But,…
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Tales from a Shopkeep –
There are few things better in this world than the support of friends . . . but one of the few things, is when you get the chance to see one of your friends succeed and grow and reach their dreams. I’m lucky enough that some of my best friends are fellow small business owners…
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Tales from a Shopkeep -There Goes the Neighborhood
A couple of years ago, when I first moved into Fountain Square Mall, I started to make friends with the other business owners that I would learn to call my neighbors, and eventually some of my best friends. Across the hall, I continued to get to know Nancy Bradley, the (former) owner of O’Child Children’s…
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Tales from a Shopkeep
Boy, that holiday season sure knows how to sneak up on you, eh? It all begins with the Bloomington Handmade Market – every year. And this year was no different. This year BHM had a stellar cast of characters! Reviews from shoppers tell us, our best yet. Which is just delightful to hear. It was…
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Maker Monday – Joyously Essential
As many of you know, we’re ALWAYS adding new makers to our shelves. This past month, I was blessed to meet Angie Sledd thanks to my dear friend J.D Grove who opened up her own handmade shop, Conspire, in Greencastle! Today, I get to introduce you to her, and her fabulous wares! Tell us about…
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Tales from a Shopkeep – All Hallows Eve
This past weekend we helped to organize and host our Second Annual Downtown Trick or Treat. Words can’t really express the gratitude and awe I have for our Bloomington retail community coming together to invite families downtown to trick or treat – and for our Bloomington families coming out to do just that. So, pictures…
Gather 