The Women of Mass Ave :: the female business owners of Indy's busiest corridor
Just north of downtown Indianapolis is a bustling cultural cornerstone, filled with locally-owned businesses, flavorsome dining, unique retail, and artisanal art experiences that create the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District. This special neighborhood has a vibrant personality, giving the impression of a small-town experience nestled in the heart of Indianapolis, a personality that comes as much from the customers as it does from the business owners. Ann Dancing isn’t the only lady rocking out on the angle, the Women of Mass Ave are making a major impact on this dynamic neighborhood.
The community of business owners in the Mass Ave Arts District is tight, patronizing one another’s establishments and maintaining close professional and personal ties. The relationships between the community and the businesses is what makes this area special. "100% Mass Ave has shaped the businesses," said Silver in the City owner, Kristin Kohn. "If there are businesses that have shaped Mass Ave, it is the historic buildings, the art galleries, theatres, jazz club that were established in the 80's and 90's... They are what attracted innovative chef-owned restaurants that attracted people from all over the city to visit." The arts community of Mass Ave brought a variety of quirky, independent businesses to the district and evolved into the neighborhood you see today.Let us introduce you to some of the Women of Mass Ave, who are shaping this little wedge of Indy into a pretty terrific place.
Boomerang BTQ
Boomerang Boutique is loaded with playful fashion and home décor, curated by owner Felicia Kiesel, who personally selects the special finds. In addition, Boomerang sells her line of Felicia Tees, a line of fun and funky shirts for guys and gals alike. It's clear Felicia thrives on the relationships she is able to create with her suppliers, customers, and fellow shop owners. “My goal is to not only support local artists and my community, but treat every single person who comes into the shop… with the utmost respect and spread kindness every day!” she said. Though Felicia has been one of the Women of Mass Ave for seven years, she was a resident long before and says the neighborhood is special and she loves how inclusive it is. “The charm of the homes and businesses that have been here for decades is what makes Mass Ave unique and a destination.” The COVID 19 pandemic has created challenges for businesses owners throughout the city, but especially small businesses, like those found on Mass Ave, and Felicia is looking to the future, hopeful her the support of her customer base will keep her storefront open. “The joy of a small boutique is the unique locally-made pieces I carry, but I've found it challenging to showcase that just via social media and my website [during the pandemic], but my customers have been so supportive!” she said.
City Dogs Grocery
Animal enthusiast and pediatric nurse, Christi Rider, stumbled into entrepreneurship one day after a meeting with the owners of City Dogs Grocery. Wanting to explore the idea of her own pet shop, she asked for their advice over dinner and at the end of the meal, they offered to sell her the business, and the rest, they say is history. City Dogs Grocery, a dog and cat boutique, now has three locations {Mass Ave, Speedway, and Fountain Square}. Christi has said being a female business woman is empowering, and its clear to see it suits her. Not only have the stores allowed Christi to immerse herself in her passion of animals, but she has committed to giving back to area nonprofits supporting animals through the chip-in program. Shoppers and their pups can pop in to City Dogs for furry friend’s needs {including treats made by local bakers} and Christi and the staff can often be found giving belly rubs and ear scratches to their canine customers.
Crimson Tate: Modern Quilter
Local artist, Heather Givans is putting a modern twist on an old classic with her shop Crimson Tate. Heather masterfully creates non-traditional quilts from contemporary, modern, and repurposed vintage fabrics, which inspired her fabric shop, the perfect spot for someone looking to make one-of-a-kind masterpieces. In addition to running Crimson Tate, Heather designs fabric for Windham Fabrics and creates new quilting patterns. While the pandemic has put a temporary halt on workshops, Heather has kept herself busy by switching from quilt making to mask making, gifting a mask to someone in need for every mask sold. She’s also donating masks to local businesses to support essential workers in need of additional PPE.
HERE'S ANOTHER FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESS WE LOVE: Check out our feature on the Drag Brunch at Baby's Indy
The Hot Room Indianapolis
Hye Jin Kalgaonkar has been heating up the Indianapolis yoga scene for seven years. A former businesses executive, she left the corporate world to invest in her passion and her community with the establishment of her yoga studio. She now oversees three studios {Fishers, downtown Indianapolis, and North Shore Chicago}. Though the downtown location is just off Mass Ave, the community has welcomed Hye Jin and her staff with open arms. Her specially designed studios are not the only thing that sets the Hot Room apart, it is Hye Jin’s investment in people. She focuses on developing and mentoring her staff, but also cares deeply about helping the community find peace in their lives through yoga. Her philosophy is to embrace all students, especially beginners, making hot yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of age, shape, size, and abilities in an encouraging environment. “You walk into our studio and you will see the most diverse community ever, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” she said.
Peabody’s Parlor
New Mexico native, Steffanie Peabody Boram, has put a refreshing twist on the hair salon industry. Many salons or stylists cater to male or female cuts and styling. Steffanie recognized the difficulty this can create for gender non-conforming individuals, and instead Peabody’s Parlor makes appointments based on length of hair and service time, not gender identity. Peabody’s moved to Mass Ave in 2017, immediately fitting into the inclusive vibe of the community. “When I envisioned the opening of Peabody’s Parlor, I knew I wanted to create a salon where everyone felt welcome,” said Steffanie to Indy Maven. “It is important to me that no matter who you are—the color of your skin, how you identify, your gender—when you are in our house you will always feel comfortable and seen.”
Silver in the City
Kristin Kohn’s specialty boutique has been a beating heart of the community on Mass Ave for 20 years. Silver in the City is a quirky boutique filled with jewelry, unique gifts, and interesting finds you won’t get anywhere else. Kristin opened the shop so she could finally buy the things she had been looking for, but was unable to find. “I get to buy the things I fall in love with, and I get really excited when my customers fall in love with them, too,” she said to Towne Post. The secret to Silver in the City’s popularity is Kristin’s ability to adapt to the needs of the community, whether that means adding inventory or product, the creation of Summer Camp boxes for families who were sheltering in place this year, and even boarding up the windows of her shop in support of the Black Lives Matter protests. Silver in the City was one of the first downtown businesses to offer their boarded up windows in support of the BLM movement, listing the names of the men and women who have killed by police. Many other downtown businesses followed suit and partnered with local black artists in solidarity with the community. Silver in the City stated in an Instagram post that the painted boards have been donated to the Indiana State Museum for historical preservation. Kristin shared the key to her entrepreneurial longevity is prioritizing the needs of her team. "They take care of my business so that I can spend time with my family, so I need to be sure I am taking good care of them," she said. "Doing the best job I can as a parent and a partner is way more important than being 'successful' at business. This means learning how to let ideas, opportunities go, learning how to say no, to protect my family time." The culture of inclusion and embracing one another has set the stage for a wide variety of business types and styles in the community. These are just a few of the Women of Mass Ave, blazing a path through female entrepreneurship and reinvesting into our communities in impactful ways. Other female-owned Mass Ave business we’d recommend visiting are listed below. Please note, hours and services may have changed due to COVID-19 restrictions. We recommend calling for the most up-to-date business information.
Nurture Baby & Child - hi Ashley!
BIG thanks to Silver In The City for their oh-so-perfect photo used in the feature image of this post. Speaking of features, this pic includes a fabulous "Ladies To The Front" sweatshirt designed by local female artist Martha Latta/Sunday Afternoon Housewife and @cordialkitten, as sold by Silver In The City. And we think everyone needs this in their closet.
