Experience Elkhart: Shopping Spree
If quaint shopping experiences are something you look for in your travels, then Elkhart County is the destination for you!
I joined several other travel bloggers on a whirlwind trip through Elkhart County recently, and one of the highlights of the trip for all of us was experiencing the diverse array of shops.
In this third installment of my Experience Elkhart series, I’m excited to provide a glimpse into the range of shopping opportunities available in this charming area of Northern Indiana.
**If you missed my previous Experience Elkhart articles, be sure to also read the posts about Luxurious Lodging and Beauty in Nature. And stay tuned…because I have even more to share that will inspire you to plan your own road trip to Elkhart County!
But for now, let’s get shopping!
Teaberry Wood Products
“Well Crafted” is the very appropriate slogan for Elkhart County, and I got to witness the slogan in action at Teaberry Wood Products.
Nestled along a country road in Middlebury you may not stumble upon this amazing shop unless you are looking for it. So take my advice and put the address in your GPS because you don’t want to miss it. You can also sign up for a bus tour through Elkhart County and Teaberry Wood Products is a popular stop on those tours for good reason!
Teaberry Wood Products is owned and operated by a lovely Mennonite family, The Millers. They take great pride in their work and create so many beautiful items. I had the pleasure of a behind-the-scenes tour with Lavern, the family’s patriarch, and he showed us how their unique wooden baskets are individually made and assembled.
Walk-in tours are available at 10 AM and 2 PM or you can inquire to see the workshop and they are very likely to comply! Just be respectful and ask before taking pictures of any staff as they employ some Amish ladies and having photos taken, especially of their faces, is not part of their cultural practices.
In addition to baskets of all sizes, The Miller family and their small staff also create nativity scenes, signs, puzzles, quilt blocks, seasonal decor, and more…all handcrafted from quality wood.
Needless to say, Teaberry Wood Products is a great place to buy unique gifts! I purchased a small basket for a dear friend, but also found several items I needed for my own home. Given that I am a sucker for red trucks, that was a must, along with cargo for three different seasons!
And I was especially moved by the elegance and simplicity of The Empty Tomb. I look forward to displaying this work of art in my home during Easter. It will also serve as a special reminder of my time in Elkhart County.
Teaberry Wood Products
1450 N 1150 W
Middlebury, Indiana 46540
574.536.3294
teaberrywoodproducts@gmail.com
teaberrywoodproducts.com
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM – 4 PM; Closed on Sundays
Dutch Country Market
One of the unique aspects of Elkhart County is the array of Amish goods and services. It’s impossible to visit this part of Indiana and not partake in amazing Amish baked goods!
Not your typical grocery store, Dutch Country Market can also be found in Middlebury and is owned and operated by a local Amish family. The market offers a plethora of food options, spices, sweet treats, and so much more.
Pick up some local honey or a bag of homemade noodles. Peruse the spice and candy aisle to stock your kitchen with quality ingredients as well as snacks to enjoy on your travels.
And who can resist fresh baked Amish bread?! You will also want to pick up several tubs of their specialty peanut butter spreads, which make great gifts.
With rows of jams, jellies, and candies galore, both kids and adults will enjoy a trip to Dutch Country Market. Their locally sourced selection of meat, cheese, milk, and butter makes it possible to get all your grocery shopping done in one stop.
The Market also sells plenty of non-food items. Handcrafted cutting boards, wooden signs, specialty soaps, rugs, and more are available for purchase. Find something to fill a practical need or stock up on mementos of your trip to Elkhart County.
Dutch Country Market
11351 County Road 16,
Middlebury, IN 46540
574-825-3594
Learn more on Facebook
Hours: M, W, Th, F 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Tues 9 AM – 5:30 PM; Sat 8:30 AM – 5 PM; Closed on Sundays
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Even more Amish-inspired shopping can be found in Middlebury at Das Dutchman Essenhaus.
If you prefer to stay put in one spot on your travels then Das Dutchman Essenhaus may be the perfect place for you. On the Essenhaus campus, you will find a large Amish-style restaurant and bakery as well as a massive yet homey full-service Inn. Oh yeah…and lots of great shopping!
The gift shop attached to the restaurant and bakery is massive with seemingly endless areas to weave in and out of. Gift items include toys and books, jewelry and cards, faith-based and inspirational resources, kitchen gadgets, home decor, seasonal items, and so much more.
Just across the parking lot and near the Inn you can continue your shopping in the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Village. Four more boutique shops can be found sprinkled throughout a charming Indiana countryside setting.
Renovated homestead buildings now house a lovely quilt shop, a clothing boutique, and two unique gift shops that serve as a shopper’s paradise.
Wander in and out of each of the shops, to your heart’s desire. And when your feet get tired it’s time to head to the bakery for some of their award-winning pie!
Das Essenhaus
240 U.S. 20
Middlebury, IN 46540
1-800-455-9471
essenhaus.com
Shop Hours: Tues-Thurs 10 AM – 5 PM; Fri-Sat 10 AM – 7 PM; Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Coppes Commons
Meander over to Nappanee and there are even more Amish-made creations to browse at Coppes Commons.
By now you may be thinking that once you have ventured into one Amish-run storefront, you have seen it all. But trust me, each one carries its own unique inventory of edible treats and decorative delights. (And stick with me as I’ll be highlighting some shops outside of the Amish community in just a bit!)
If you have heard of the historic “Hoosier Cabinet” you may be intrigued to learn that Coppes Commons is in the former factory that was the leading manufacturer of this piece of kitchen furniture that was much sought-after by housewives at the turn of the 20th century.
In the present day, Coppes Commons actually houses several amazing shops and eateries all under one roof. So plan to spend at least an hour or two here.
You can check out the historical features of the famed cabinets, purchase freshly made Amish baked goods, pick up faith-based resources, and browse antiques, home decor, and more.
There is also a cafe where you can rest for a spell as you enjoy a tasty lunch as well as a gourmet popcorn shop for satisfying both your sweet and salty tooth.
Make sure you save room and don’t miss the chance for a real treat at Rocket Science. Marvel as the talented staff prepares ice cream treats that freeze right before your eyes with liquid nitrogen. Kids young and old will eat it up!
Coppes Commons
401 E Market St
Nappanee, IN 46550
(574) 773-0002
coppescommons.com
Hours vary by shop; Closed on Sundays
Soapy Gnome
As soon as you open the door to Soapy Gnome in downtown Goshen, you realize that your senses are in for a special treat! Your nostrils immediately fill with heavenly scents from the vast array of buttermilk soaps that are handcrafted on-site.
If you have ever made soap before you know there is both an art and a science to it. Which makes a lot of sense when you learn that the owner of Soapy Gnome, is a former science teacher. Jenny Finch took her DIY passion that started with making gifts for friends and family and turned it into a very successful business.
The challenge for shoppers is finding just the right scent for everyone on your shopping list as there are so many to choose from! Lavender Eucalyptus, Honey Oat, Rosemary Tangerine, Mojito, Amber Sandlewood…I could go on and on! And they look as pretty as they smell.
In addition to full-size bars, they also sell some smaller versions, which helps make the decision-making process a bit easier and you can buy lots of them! These mini-soaps made the perfect stocking stuffers for my family last year.
At Soapy Gnome you can also find plenty of luxurious body products besides soap, all with adorable packaging and perfect for gift-giving. I especially loved the soaps that include positive affirmations.
Speaking of gifts, even though their signature soaps are the star of the show, there is so much more to discover (and buy) in this large store. Greeting cards, stuffed animals, stationery, candles, and tons of other unique gift items fill this whimsical shop.
Chances are you will wander into Soapy Gnome to pick up some fragrant soaps…and you will leave with that and a whole lot more!
Soapy Gnome
210 South Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
574-971-5294
soapygnome.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM – 6 PM, Sat 10 AM – 4 PM; Closed on Sundays
Janus Motorcycles
I must admit, I’m not a motorcycle rider and can’t see purchasing one myself. However, even I was enthralled by the craftsmanship I witnessed at Janus Motorcycles.
Located in the heart of Goshen, Janus Motorcycles has a relatively small storefront and garage/workshop where some very talented people create custom motorcycles. These motorcycles are not built simply to transport people from place to place. They are truly automotive works of art!
A tour through the garage is all you need to understand the care and quality that is put into each machine. Each motorcycle is hand-built to the customer’s specifications. These are definitely not your run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter motorcycles!
I was especially enthralled with the woman who hand paints detailed designs on each bike. She is a true bada**!
I won’t even try to sound like I know what I’m talking about when it comes to motorcycles. Just trust me, if you are a motorcycle enthusiast, Janus Motorcycles is a must-visit stop on your Elkhart County itinerary.
And if motorcycles aren’t your thing, I still encourage you to pop in and appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these impressive and stylish machines.
Janus Motorcycles
211 S. 5th St.,
Goshen, IN 46528
574-538-1350
hello@janusmotorcycles.com
janusmotorcycles.com
Hours: Operations & Sales: Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM
Showroom: Mon-Fri 1 PM – 5 PM & by appointment
Closed on Saturdays & Sundays
I’ve literally just scratched the surface of all the spectacular shopping in Elkhart County!
With revitalized downtowns in Elkhart, Goshen, and Nappanee as well as tons of off-the-beaten-path boutique shops, you can find jewelry, clothing, home decor, unique souvenirs, and everything in between in Elkhart County. So grab your galpals and credit cards and head to Elkhart County for your very own shopping spree!
If you want even more shopping fun, head over to Shipshewana in neighboring LaGrange County for another marvelous shopping mecca!
Want to learn more about all there is to do in Elkhart County? I recorded an episode on the People and Places Along the Heritage Trail podcast along with fellow blogger Lori Loves Adventure. Listen here and then plan your own trip to Elkhart County.
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to the Elkhart County CVB and Midwest Travel Network for hosting Traveling Tanya in Elkhart County and to each of the businesses highlighted in this article for all the Hoosier Hospitality! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
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