In Shipshewana, you can expect to see Amish buggies, savor comfort food, and take in stunning views of the countryside. Yet, what you may not be aware of is the slice of island paradise at 133 Harrison St. in downtown that is Shipshewana Cariloha. The store offers bamboo-style bedding, sheets, pillows, attire, and practically everything you need to enjoy a comfortable and cozy night’s sleep. How it ended up in Amish Country is thanks to owner Brian Wilson and a trip to Hawaii.
“While on vacation in Maui, we stopped into our first Cariloha. We discovered how soft everything was, then the rest is history,” said Wilson on his visit in 2013. “We have been blessed with owning our store the last six years, and like getting to know the locals and visitors.”
While the store has been in Shipshewana since 2019, the story of Cariloha began in 2007. Cariloha is the world’s only store that’s completely merchandised with ultra-soft, comfortable clothing and bedding made of bamboo. Bed and bath sets, clothing, home decor, mattresses and more. Cariloha was started in the Caribbean islands, and now there are 70 stores worldwide with the one in Shipshewana being a standout from the rest.
“Out of 70 Cariloha stores worldwide, we are the only one in North America until Alaska or Maine. No other Cariloha in the world will have a shirt that says Shipshewana on a Cariloha shirt.”
Since opening, the Shipshewana location has won multiple awards, beating even the Maui location in sales for pillows, mattresses, and blankets.
“We were only open three months, and Cariloha Corporation had a best sales for mattresses contest. By us being a very competitive family, me, my daughter, and my wife had our own little competition at who could sell the most mattresses. We did such a great job that we actually beat every store in the world. That’s 70 locations, we got top sales in mattresses for July in 2019.”
A few months later, Brian and his team won a second award. “In November, we had a sales contest for pillows and blankets, and we got first place for that, also.”
All those sales were from walk-in visitors. If you’re interested in taking home a shirt, socks, or even a mattress, you can visit while you’re in town or even shop online.
When it comes to the future, Brian shared he’s looking forward to welcoming a new grandchild. As for Shipshewana Cariloha, “we have a new pajama line coming out in November that is very exciting for us here in the store.”
With two million visitors a year making Shipshewana a destination travel stop, local businesses are welcoming them into their stores and shops to not just sell them products, but also interact and engage with them.
“Being a part of Shipshewana is more than just having a business for my family. Having a business in Shipshewana and Lagrange County is being a part of a bigger extended family because the phrase that always comes up around the county and the Town of Shipshewana is we are all better together.”
