It’s unfortunate that two more great shops in Indy are closing. I’m baffled by the fact that many people here complain that Indy isn’t cool enough, but when shops like these take a risk by doing something culturally progressive in this city, there isn’t enough support to keep it going. I’m sure the economy is a factor, but isn’t there enough collective support to have ONE vinyl toy shop / urban art gallery and ONE truly alternative book / art shop in the 12th most populous city in the US?

To try to stay positive, why not open this thread up for ideas about what action individuals (especially ones who complain about how uncool Indy is) can take to improve the situation. (And to not derail Taffy’s original post, hopefully keep more of the small local shops around.)

Any ideas?

Derail away, derail away, my friend.

Mix the economy and internet and it will continue to put pressure on the little guy. It is the monster that we built. Tax internet purchases and it would be a new ball game…. Not a consumer friendly idea, but it would be an instant impact.

I agree with Dave though… people complain about the lack of culture here, but don’t support local shops & restaurants, go figure…

-WIBIA

So true! I was managing the boutique tantrum when it closed in January. It was unbelievably frustrating to listen to people complain about how uncool Indiana is and behind on fashion but would then shun anything fashion forward in the store or complained about how expensive it was. Not necessarily because it was more expensive but it wasn’t a brand they had seen at Circle Center.

Mass Ave video actually turned their heat off this winter because they couldn’t afford it. The only solution I can suggest is for everyone to support small businesses and shop local!

Lesalina, I was so disappointed to have missed out on your boutique entirely! I just found out about it when I looked up Lorick dresses and the site said that your store was the only one that carried them in Indiana. I’m one of those people who would love to buy the expensive, fashionable things, but I’m still too poor now (Herron grad, working for a bank). I’m not ignorant of what’s out there. That’s horrifying to think that Mass Ave Video might not make it, either. I really want to support all these things, I don’t want to have to leave because the cost of living is decent here, but I need to earn more in the first place. $28K a year just doesn’t really cut it. Plus, I’d love to live closer to where all the action is (downtown, Broad Ripple, north side) but instead I’m stuck in this horrible dead zone out on west 10th Street past 465. There’s nothing out here. We barely even have sidewalks so I can get anywhere. We need to get our acts together here. I don’t even know where to begin as an individual, really. Thank you Lesalina and the others here for making an effort. I hope you will try more things, and I’ll try to find out about them so I don’t miss out next time.