Shipshe Casuals, Our Front Porch, Options, Back Home Again, Red Barn Bargains, Apple Creek Alley, Shipshe General Store. All the following stores in town have one thing in common. They’re all owned by the Joneses under the Schrock Shoppe name.
Eric is the co-owner of Schrock Shoppes along with his sister, Lori. But it all began with his mother, Donna, in the early ’90s.
“Donna, my mom, decided to open a store in Shipshewana. At that time, it was entirely clothing at Shipshe Casuals, with all the work in the back room of our home. But as us kids grew, she expanded to additional locations around Shipshewana and eventually moved the production area into Shipshewana and out of our house,” said Eric Jones.
The work eventually moved out of the family home into Shipshewana. “Currently, we have seven different stores in town, ranging from home decor, gift, textiles, & clothing. Apple Creek Alley is now on Harrison Street. We purchased that business when it was on Middlebury Street and eventually purchased the big yellow house on Harrison to give us more room for all the textiles, rugs, and lamps. When the Mercantile was rebuilt, we opened three stores, all on the second floor: Shipshe Casuals has locally embellished clothing, shoes, and a kids section, Options includes dresses, tops, purses, and ladies accessories, and Back Home Again is a home decor store now featuring Fiesta dinnerware, artwork, gifts, quilts, & rugs.”
As for the three remaining stores:
- Our Front Porch is located at the south end of Shipshewana. It acts as the production area for the overall business.
- Red Barn Bargains is on the second floor of Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes. It’s been there since the building was built. You’ll find clothing often at slightly lower pricing.
- Shipshe General Store is across from the feed mill and has bargains, luggage, quilts, and more.
Before the stores existed today, they were in various locations throughout Shipshewana. “The original store is now a parking lot for Blue Gate; the second, third, and sixth stores burned in the Mercantile fire. The fourth store was torn down and is now the Shipshewana Furniture store. The fifth store by Yoder’s Hardware was torn down as well. My mom always said she kept adding locations to give us kids something to do.”
While the kids certainly had something to do, it was providing visitors with something to do as well. It’s those people that Eric says he enjoys most about working in Shipshewana. “I think because of the strong Christian heritage in the area, we are blessed to have people who are just good people.” He continued by saying, “I think the culture is so different than anywhere else, there is a peace within the community.”
When it comes to the future, Eric stated, “I think as the area continues to grow, we are able to offer customers an even better experience, more activities, more shopping, more food, etc., and we can continue being the oasis & “safe spot” for friends and families to gather and step away from the world a bit!”
You’ll find information about each of the Jones’ businesses at visitshipshewana.org. Stop by the seven shops in town and you’ll find warm hospitality, quality service, and a treasure for the road.
“You have to plan a trip! Shipshewana started in a lot of ways at the flea market, but if you want to beat traffic and experience something different, come during the fall and Christmas seasons. The decorations are amazing, and it really feels like you’re in a Hallmark movie.”
