By Dawn Pearson
The North End Collective, which features a collection of local boutiques, is now open at Clay Terrace. It features Lil Bloomers Children’s Boutique and Harvest Boutique and is expected to add additional offerings in the future.
“Together in one space, the boutiques offer easy shopping from local owners,” said Megan Coors, area director of marketing and business development for Clay Terrace/Village Park Plaza. “Other nooks still open within the North End Collective and any interested local business can contact the mall office.”
Lil Bloomers is made up of 17 local artists, owner Shauna Metzger said.
“We are a storefront Etsy shop. Several of these makers are moms, retired teachers, grandmas just trying to make some extra money,” Metzger said. “We love being able to support our local economy as much as we can. We also carry several children’s boutique brands.”
Etsy stores sell products that are handmade or one-of-a-kind items by independent makers or crafters.
“We also have a program called 4 Kids By Kids. This program encourages students to make products for kids, such as shirts, dresses, headbands,” Metzger said. “Each item the students make they get to keep 100 percent of their profit to use towards their own creative entrepreneurship.”
Lil Bloomers has two other locations in downtown Noblesville and Brown County’s Heritage Mall.
First Harvest owner Kimmie Bridges travels across the nation to bring hot and trendy styles to Indianapolis, with 10 percent of profits going to women recovering from abuse, addiction, sex trafficking and more.
“We’ve also started designing our own clothing line as well that has a preppy vibe,” Bridges said. “You’ll find a section dedicated to our designs and pieces made here locally in Indiana.”
First Harvest Boutique started a year ago online. Since then it has opened satellite locations inside of Carmel’s MDG Salon and downtown Indianapolis.
Regular mall hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 pm.
