One of the goals of Frankfort Main Street is to introduce our small business owners and allow folks to get to know the person or persons behind the scenes. The following is a snapshot of three of those small business in downtown Frankfort.Creekside Music fills Clinton County with music
Creekside Music provide Clinton County a small venue for local musicians, lessons for guitar, bass, and drums, and repairs instruments.
Specializing in guitar, bass and drums and percussion, the store is the creation of Fred Myers, owner of Creekside Music.
Myers, who spent nearly 45 years in manufacturing, decided to open the store as he neared his retirement.
“This has always been [a] favorite hobby,” Myers said. He added that he “saw a need” in the community and opened the store.
“This is the only place locally like it,” he added. “[The] nearest other stores [are] in Lafayette.”
In addition to stringed instrument repair, Myers said the store also offers instruments and accessories for purchase.
Creekside Music also offers a small venue for local musicians to share their talents.
Myers said he loves meeting and being able to support local musicians.
“[I] enjoy the company of local musicians,” he said.
The music shop was closed throughout much of the stay-at-home order by the Indiana Governor, but continues to offer curbside pickup and appointments for music lessons.
For more information on Creekside Music, Myers encourages customers to check out the store on Facebook.
Local store offers “Stellar” homemade products
Custom products, hand poured candles and unique gifts are just a few of the offerings at Stellar Creations on Main.
Crystal Reichert and her mother, Linda Harrison, originally started their business as a hand poured candle company, but soon their company grew into something much more.
Stellar Creations on Main offers custom products, including memory bears and embroidery. The store also offers jewelry, silk flower arrangements, men’s grooming products, among other products.
“One of the most rewarding items are our memory bears and pillows,” Reichert said. “Each bear is very special, and the clothing item has a special sentimental value.”
Reichert said she loves seeing her customers’ reactions when they receive their personalized creations, often made from a loved one’s clothing items.
“To you or me, a particular shirt has no meaning,” she explained. “For our customer, they saw their family member wear it and they remember those moments.”
Reichert said her favorite part of her business is helping customers find the perfect product.
“If a customer is looking for a particular gift, I really [like] the challenge of creating something for them,” Reichert said.
Reichert has always wanted to own her own business and has loved bonding with the community she grew up in through the business.
Harrison and Reichert moved to Frankfort when Reichert was in the second grade. Reichert left Clinton County after she graduated from high school, and eventually moved to Massachusetts to work in missile defense and radar systems. She returned to Clinton County in 2014, and soon after, Stellar Creations on Main was born.
Working with Harrison has been enjoyable for both Reichert and Harrison.
“We have a similar humor, we do funny things to make each other laugh,” Reichert explained.
Together, the mom and daughter duo have been working to revamp their business to provide additional products to customers and different avenues for customers to shop.
“We are building up our local delivery structure, more online shopping, and more shipping options,” Reichert said.
She added that the store will offer classes, such as candle making, after the pandemic settles.
Until then, Stellar Creations on Main is offering one-on-one shopping by appointments and is even offering options for small groups to have the store all to themselves. They also are offering delivery.
Reichert said customers can set an appointment by reaching out on Facebook, and the company is working on creating a new website, which should be launched soon.
“The virus has helped us shape our business for the better,” Reichert said. “We do miss everyone and look forward to what the future may bring.”
Whiskey Rose offers customers casual, comfy clothing
Whiskey Rose Boutique is more than a clothing store. The boutique doesn’t just help its customers find new apparel. It helps prepare its customers for life’s big moments.
“I love my customers, I love this small town, and I love helping others feel and look their best,” Casey Allen, owner of Whiskey Rose Boutique said. “We have helped pick out outfits for first dates, dances, baby/bridal showers, date night, funerals, etc. To be able to help people in those life moments is extremely rewarding.”
The store’s motto is “when you look good, you feel good,” and the boutique doesn’t disappoint. Carrying sizes from small to 3x, Whiskey Rose Boutique offers what it describes as “cute, comfy and casual” women’s clothing.
Offering a variety of products, customers can also find accessories such as jewelry and shoes.
“We also carry Bass Farms Goat Milk Skin Care Products, Ambre Blends, Unplug Soy Candles – all of which are Indiana-based businesses,” Allen said.
Allen said she started the business after working in proprietary education in a financial aid department. She decided to “take a leap of faith,” and start her business in Frankfort.
“After many years working in corporate America, I was ready to have something all my own,” Allen said.
She added that she saw a need in Frankfort for women’s clothing stores and wanted to provide a local shopping destination.
“We love our customers,” Allen said. “We know and greet them by name. They know they can count [on] us to keep things fresh, exciting, and new. When we buy, we have specific customers in mind. We buy for you, not us.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Allen and the boutique have been doing their best to keep customers safe while still offering their products to customers.
Allen said the boutique has been following local and state guidelines for safety and sanitization procedures in light of the pandemic. Allen added that the store has added more hand soap and mini hand sanitizers to its product line to promote its customers’ health and safety.
The boutique has also added online and curbside options for those who don’t want to leave the comfort of their homes.
“We’ve added curbside pickup, which has been a comfort to many who want to shop but have small children or who aren’t ready to shop in the store just yet,” Allen said. She added that for order of $30 or more, the store offers free shipping.
Allen encouraged residents to check out local stores before heading out of town, adding that local businesses like hers appreciate everyone’s support.
For more information about Whiskey Rose Boutique, you can call 765-656-9539 or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.