Put down the bang-cutting scissors, Indy. If you feel the itch to try something new this week, might we suggest checking out a local business with something unique to offer?
In preparation for Small Business Week, we asked, “When someone visits your business for the first time, what do they have to try, do, or see?” Here’s what 60+ small businesses had to say:
Food + drinks
“One of our signature lattes: pistachio, butterscotch, or ginger!” — Provider Cafe
“Our new Dubai jumbo cookies.” — Waldis Artisan Bakery
“Get a flight! Explore your options and find your new favorite!” — Ash & Elm Cider Co.
“Gourmet Blue Corn Tacos!” — Los Arroyos
“Our breakfast burrito, nitro cold brew, or wasabi toasted cheese.” — Goldleaf Savory & Sweet
“A beer flight at our taproom or a haus latte at The Coffee Haus.” — Guggman Haus Brewing Co.
“Our shortbread chocolate chip cookie.” — Pots & Pans Pie Co.
“Our sparkling wine flight!” — The Rejoicing Vine
“Our affogato!” — Lick Ice Cream
“Our creme brulee macarons.” — Filigree Bakery
“Our wine flights!” — Solely Wine
Whether you’re a horse girl or not, you’ll love the vibe at Dark Horse Hair Co.
Photo by Dark Horse Hair Co.
Beauty + aesthetics
“I highly recommend indulging in a facial or a treatment like a lash lift or brow lamination. It might seem like a simple service, but it’s really a moment of self-care that leaves you feeling refreshed and confident.” — Half Moon Brow Studio
“Checking out all of our mid-century modern decor and furniture. Most of it is authentic and very special to each of us. We each design our stations with our own flair.” — Dark Horse Hair Co.
“Nail art! It’s my specialty and my deepest passion. Let’s create some personalized hand-painted nail art together!” — Katie the Claw Queen
“They have to try one of our facials! Our aestheticians customize every treatment to your skin type, concerns, and goals, so whether you need hydration, anti-aging, or brightening, we’ve got you covered.” — Tyler Mason Salon + Spa
“Nail art!” — FairlyGrim Studio
“Candles are our bestsellers since they’re an easy, approachable way to experience fragrance — but perfume is where you truly get to explore scent as a form of self-expression. If you haven’t tapped into the world of niche perfume, there’s so much to discover about how you like to scent yourself. So I’d say — definitely try the perfumes!” — MOCO Fragrances
Help the runner in your life celebrate their finish by gifting them a personalized mug filled with recovery essentials like epsom bath salts and blister bandages.
Photo by Lindsay Martin + Athlete Bouquets
Fitness + wellness
“Your first class is free!” — Barre3 Indy
“Hit pads with a coach. Whether you’re brand new or experienced, feeling the power of a solid strike on the pads is an electrifying experience.” —KruFit
“Spread the word to runners in your life!” — Athlete Bouquets
“Show up! That’s the hardest part sometimes!” — Breathe Studio
“Any of our themed rides!” — Zest Cycle
“The Foundations Flow class. This class offers a gentle introduction to the foundations of yoga. For more seasoned yogi, this class offers an opportunity to revisit and refine the foundational elements of your practice.” — Union Yoga and Wellness
“They’ll leave satisfied knowing and trusting that their loved one is in good hands.” — EnTouch Homecare & Wellness
“Try a healing yoga workshop or intro healing session.” — Samie’s Essential Energies
The French Seam will make you forget you ever cried about JOANN closing.
Photo by The French Seam
Arts + crafts
“Touch the pottery + smell the candles!” — Gravesco
“Take a very affordable session and create an introductory item out of molten glass.” — Glass Arts Indiana
“Cutting glass! We offer a wide range of classes, but almost every class involves cutting glass! It’s a challenging but very fun step of the process.” — Groovy Greenhouse Studio
“Our glaze tile wall — it really shows off the endless possibilities of clay and glaze combos.” — Looking Glass Pottery Studio
“Feel the fabrics.” — Griffon Decorative Fabrics
“Look at the embroidery projects.” — The French Seam
Market Vintage in Irvington is a must-stop shop all year round, but especially during the Halloween Festival.
Photo by Market Vintage
Shopping
“Explore every room in our little shop; we have four individual spaces and each one has its own vibe.” — The Source Indy
“The collection of vinyl records for sale, the locally made groceries, and the free sexual health vending machine.” — Dear Mom
“Go upstairs and visit all the funky vendor booths.” — Midlands Arts + Antiques Market
“Selfies in the fitting room! I have lots of little nooks that are perfect for taking selfies, and the lighting is perfect!” — Market Vintage
“Our displays! Our team is so talented and creative with displays all around the store. The size and volume of our store can be overwhelming, but displays are an easy starting point.” — Amanda’s Exchange
“Try out our toy demos. We want you to play in the store! We also have a cool dino you can sit on for a photo, and we are in an old bank building, so come and walk into our historical bank vault that dates back to the early 1900s.” — Goodies & Giggles Toy Store
“They definitely need to check out our local creatives selection highlighting over 60 local artists.” — Hampton & Co.
“Explore everything of course, but also introduce themselves! We love meeting everyone that comes through the doors. For us, building relationships in the community is important.” — Foundry317 Home
“See the original Indy flag that was gifted to me by the creator himself!” — Flags For Good
“The one thing they have to do is explore our carefully curated selection of locally made gifts and goods from 65 Indiana makers. From handcrafted jewelry and art to small-batch foods and home decor, there’s always something unique to discover.” — Grafton Peek Mercantile
“Try on some rings!” — Grace M Design
“Treat it like an experience and visit our wonderful neighbors!” — Golden Hour Books
Pets
“Join zen dog hour!” — Paw Partner Dog Training
“Our top sellers at farmers markets are the pumpkin peanut butter snaps and beef liver jerky.” — Three to Four Dogs
Dancing With Flowers is woman-owned and grown sustainably in Carmel.
Photo by Dancing With Flowers
Flowers + plants
“Smelling and touching all the flowers!” — Dancing with Flowers
“Picking flowers from our stem wall. There are six shelves filled with unique flowers priced by the stem that rotate weekly. These flowers are chosen with a special focus on seasonality and local sourcing when available.” — Flower Boys
“They have to take a picture in front of our large plant wall.” — Botanical Bar
“Take a peek inside our Flower Sanctuary, our workshop space with a ceiling that’s adorned with everlasting flowers.” — Fishers Flower Farm
“Our contemporary floral design perspectives in the flower industry are something you cannot miss. We innovate by using unconventional materials and accessories, such as color spray, to transform the natural state of our raw materials while providing sustainable solutions.” — Flowers by Yllod
Home services
“Our initial design consultation. We help you create the spaces of your dreams.” — HER Design Build
“A Deep Clean. A deep clean doesn’t just wipe down the surfaces in your home, it resets the entire space in a way that you can see, smell, and feel.” — Indy Cleans
“They’ll love the convenience of having a storage facility close to their neighborhood or job.” — The Motor Barn Storage
“Customers love the eye to detail I have when home organizing. They love the efficiency of my packing + unpacking services.” — Just Call Kate
Business services
“Check out my previously edited works.” — Hanna’s Final Touch
“Our branding and website package.” — FlyDog Digital
Party services + experiences
“Guests will feel the warmth of the session when they see children enjoying communicating for this one magical hour. No one is on a cell phone or a device. It’s refreshing!” — The Kind Kettle
“My most popular order is a 20-ft balloon arch.” — Designs by Vonda LLC
“Try a paint party for any age! It’s always a party!” — The Purple Palette
“When someone visits a Storie Co. resort for the first time, they have to immerse themselves in the experience—whether it’s an unforgettable outdoor adventure, a cozy fireside moment, or the perfect sunset over the water. Our resorts are designed to create lasting memories, turning every visit into a story worth sharing and reliving for years to come. It’s not just a stay—it’s an experience that keeps calling you back.” — Storie Co.
“Photography sessions make for a wonderful date night or time with the family.” — The Harvest Photography
