Artisans & Locally Made

FROM HOBBY TO BUSINESS – MEET JESSE WOODWORTH In the heart of downtown Shipshewana, Riverwood Pottery stands a beacon of artistic perseverance and community harmony. Founded by Jesse Woodworth, whose journey from hobbyist to business owner encapsulates the essence of turning passion into livelihood, Riverwood Pottery is not just a shop. It’s a story of […]

Artisans & Craftsman Patience and craftmanship are prized in LaGrange County, which helps explain why these communities are known for well-crafted furniture, quilts, hand-loomed rugs, wood crafts, leather goods, and pottery, as well as hand-made foods, ice cream, and candy and so much more. A visit here means a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and […]

Barn Quilt Trail Expansion Driving the scenic country backroads of Northern Indiana, you might see something called a Barn Quilt adorning historic barns, family homesteads, Amish farms, and public spaces. Similar in design to traditional quilts, Barn Quilts are constructed using wood, and painted with heirloom or newly designed quilt patterns,  chosen by the owner […]

Menno-Hof Museum The Menno-Hof Cultural Museum shares a narrated history of Anabaptism and how the religion eventually became the Amish and Mennonite cultures that we know today. See and hear the Amish-Mennonite story through multimedia presentations, historical environments, and colorful displays. Step into a 16th century courtyard where Anabaptism began, then board a ship of […]

Carrie Miller is the Store Manager of Rise’n Roll Bakery located at 1065 N. 1150 W. (right on the corner of 1150 & SR 20.) The incredibly popular bakery is a Middlebury institution, located right outside of Shipshewana. A favorite of visitors and locals alike, Rise’n Roll is the home of the beloved Cinnamon Caramel […]

The Shipshewana/LaGrange County area is a beloved destination for millions of visitors every year, and tourism is a increasingly large part of the local economy. National Tourism Week gives CVB employees the chance to go out to local establishments, meet people and employees, and share information about all the important things about Shipshewana and LaGrange County […]

DISCOVER SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET TRAILS People who love to shop and hunt for bargains obviously love the Midwest’s Largest Flea Market. Sometimes, because it is THE LARGEST, the sheer size and shopping possibilities might seem overwhelming. Luckily! The smart folks over at the Flea Market, have solutions for that! There is, of course, a Vendor […]

Auctions can be a blast and an amazing resource. But Where? How? When? And why do they talk so fast? Here’s some help for the Auction Newbie. The wonderful people at Shipshewana Trading Place and Flea Market hold a weekly auction of COOL STUFF every Wednesday, all year long. We’ve put together some helpful tips […]

In Amish Country, fabric creations are an art form. In Shipshewana you can find: knitting, macrame, hand-sewn clothing, weavings, hand-loomed rugs, but this area is well-known for beautiful quilting. Amish Quilts are beloved as decor, and so well-made that they can be handed down as family heirlooms. Not only that, but quilting as a past-time […]

One of the best parts of any visit to the Heart of Amish Country is the delicious food! There are a bunch of tasty bites this area is known for, so trying them all can take some time and planning. But what a great goal! We’ll tell you where to try all the signature Eats & […]

How do you turn a leisure activity into an expansive hospitality group drawing millions to a town of under 700? Hard work. Craftsmanship. A welcoming spirit. For Blue Gate Hospitality Company in Shipshewana, IN, these same traits that define Amish Country also embody the quality goods and services they provide for the many who trek […]

It’s officially Spring in Northern Indiana! That means it’s time to get to planting and pruning and plotting and potting!   One of the first plant and gardening goods stops we always recommend is, of course, the Largest Flea Market in the Midwest. They have produce, plants, and gardening areas, and stock changes from week […]

Are you a Picker? A Home-Improvement Guru? Landscaper? An Antique-Hunter? A DIY’er? Whatever the hands-on hobby, if you like to get your hands dirty, Shipshewana’s for you! Everyone knows that Shipshewana is home to the Midwest’s Largest Flea Market (opening for the season on April 30th.) Fewer people know that the Flea Market location (Shipshewana Trading […]

Amish, Mennonite, and other Christian denominations all regard Good Friday and Easter as important days in their religious calendars. On Good Friday you’ll find that many government entities, banks, and offices are closed for the holiday, and Amish businesses will be closed as well. Amish who work outside of the Amish community may take Good […]

Driving the scenic country backroads of Northern Indiana, you’ll likely see Barn Quilts adorning historic barns, family homesteads, Amish farms, and public spaces. Similar in design to fabrics quilts, traditional Barn Quilts are constructed using wood, and painted with heirloom or newly designed quilt patterns chosen by the owner or artist. Barn Quilts are either geometric […]

Shipshewana, Indiana is a beloved destination for a variety of travelers due to the kinds of attractions, events, and experiences available. It’s a unique location in the U.S. because although the official population of Shipshewana is under a thousand, it is still the 3rd largest Amish population in the country, as most residents live in […]

Local artist Karen Weiland is busy this winter season, working with the all the local farm and business owners who applied to host all new Barn Quilts in 2024. As both Project Manager and Artist, she collaborates with them to choose sizes, patterns, and colors to design a one-of-a-kind Barn Quilt for prominent display on […]

Amish individuals do not possess photos of themselves because it’s believed that they may encourage vanity, which runs counter to their  religious ideals of community and equality. The dolls played with by Amish children are faceless for the same reason. The lack of a face or any other distinguishing characteristics also make the dolls “less […]

Oatmeal Cake has been around for a very long time, and it sometimes referred to as a heritage recipe. It became a regular household staple after Quaker Oats started printing a version of it on their Old Fashioned Oats and Quick Oats containers in 1950, calling it the Lazy Daisy cake, because it was so […]

Happy Salt has been around since since 1985, a Shipshewana staple for almost 40 years! Kevin Horn is the owner of Shipshewana Spice Company, and Happy Salt was created by his parents. Kevin’s father worked as a professional in the food industry for many years, and created the Happy Salt blend using pepper, onion, garlic, […]

Smile! The newest art piece in Shipshewana is a special one. The astounding 3D metal sculpture constructed by local artisan and metalsmith Christy Miller, of Countryside Creations, was made possible by a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and is the third public art project to result from it. The first two are […]

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Shipshewana now has another beautiful mural to admire in the Downtown Shopping District. It’s called “Greetings from Shipshewana.” Completed recently by artist Cassi Graber, the gorgeous and colorful design shows off the vivid local colors, as well as a few things that help make Shipshewana […]

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your life here in Shipshewana? A: What most people don’t know is that not only do I have a catering business and bakery but I also live on about 300 acres in Lagrange where I raise Beefalo and bale 110 acres of hay with my husband […]

The origins of the Davis Mercantile building can be traced back to 1891, when original owner Hezekiah Davis built a hotel near the train station to house travelers. What followed was more than 130 years of prosperity, growth, new ownership, relocation, the addition of retail enterprises, a devastating fire, uncertainty, rebuilding, ingenuity, new growth, and […]