GREENFIELD – Two new boutiques opening in downtown Greenfield are using the backdrop of the upcoming Riley Festival to get acquainted with a community they’re ready to make their home.
Frances + Fern recently opened its first brick-and-mortar store at the corner of State and Main after years of success online, and popular Shelbyville-based shop Lemon Lane is opening its first Hancock County location in the heart of Greenfield as well.
Each carrying an array of clothing and knickknacks, mostly made in the U.S., Frances + Fern and Lemon Lane join the already established downtown boutiques of Red Banana and Ella June to fill out storefronts along the city’s main street.
Owners at both shops were eagerly awaiting the four-day Riley Festival, which will take place right outside their new front doors, to meet and interact with residents they hope will become their regular customers.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryFor nearly three years, Erin Meek of New Palestine and her college pal, Kim Pauszek of Franklin, ran Frances + Fern as an online-only store, developing a loyal customer base with a website, appearances at craft shows and in-home parties.
Now, they’re bringing their offerings of jewelry, accessories and clothing to the Greenfield Creatives Arts and Events Center, located at 2 W. Main St.
Meek said when the opportunity to move into the place presented itself, she and Pauszek couldn’t resist the chance to expand.
Frances + Fern offers brands and products that are American-made and focus on fair trade or charitable efforts.
The shop features clothing that’s made in the U.S. whenever possible, Meek said, and their shelves are filled with wares from local vendors, including Fortville-based Unplug Soy Candles.
They also carry jewelry made by first-generation college students who are looking to gain business experience, earn scholarships and income, through an effort by the Shine Project out of Phoenix, Arizona.
Frances + Fern opened its doors in late September but is hoping the Riley Festival will introduce the business to new visitors.
With the same goal in mind, Lemon Lane plans to have a booth of goods at the Riley Festival, set up right outside the site of its future Greenfield shop at 113 W. Main St.
Owner Christa Weaver said she and her business partner, Anne Lawson, had hoped to have their boutique open in time for the annual festival, but time got the better of them. Instead, they’ll use a booth outside to meet and greet locals, offer a peek of their product line and announce their grand opening, Weaver said.
Lemon Lane already has a successful shop in downtown Shelbyville, offering a variety of clothing, home goods and the occasional piece of furniture. The shop often draws visitors from as far north as Fortville and McCordsville, who regularly remark they’d eagerly patronize a closer location if one existed, Weaver said.
So, she and Lawson did a little shopping of their own and discovered the little storefront in Greenfield. Now, they’re putting the finishing touches on the place, making it their own and bringing a pop of bright yellow to the downtown landscape.
Lemon Lane will offer mostly clothing for women and girls, Weaver said, though they also carry some men’s clothing along with a selection of shoes and accessories. Their products, too, are usually made in the U.S.
Weaver said she and Lawson are excited to join Main Street’s lineup, and they’re eager to embed themselves in Hancock County. Being heavily involved in the community is an important part of their mission, she said.