Brown County Shopping: Land of the Spree

From maple-bacon cupcakes to button-flap jammies, new and updated Nashville shops are loaded with cute stuff you don’t necessarily need but will almost certainly want.

This article is part of the Rediscover Brown County package in the October 2016 Indianapolis Monthly issue. For more on our favorite fall destination, click here.

Fallen Leaf Books

Darling shop on a cozy side street—how books were sold before Amazon. You can grab a stack of discount paperbacks, cradle a $4,000 relic from the collection of rare volumes, or browse a section of Indiana authors and books about the region. 45 S. Jefferson St., 812-988-0202, fallenleafbookstore.com

Forever Sweet

Almost-too-pretty-to-eat cupcakes in flavors like peach cobbler, pumpkin spice, and maple bacon. 211 S. Van Buren St., 812-720-7060, facebook.com/foreversweetnashville

Hesitation Point Bicycles

All the gear for Brown County’s primo mountain biking trails, in a new location near the state park’s north entrance. No bike? No sweat: Rentals are affordable, the for-sale stock is deep, and the onsite repair shop offers tune-ups and expert advice. 51 Parkview Rd., 812-988-4566, hesitationpoint.com

Mariposa

Home-decor shop with one-of-a-kind treasures in the farmhouse-chic milieu, many with a vintage vibe: stenciled burlap pillows, distressed furniture, and tastefully picked flea-market finds. If you see something you like, buy it (because one-of-a-kind merchandise can’t be restocked). 125 S. Van Buren St.

Mulberry Cottage

A longstanding stop for whimsical home decor and gifts, the shop has gone boho boutique with the addition of gypsy dresses, flowy tops, vintage-inspired children’s wear, and a make-your-own jewelry bar. 46 W. Main St., 812-988-9803, facebook.com/themulberrycottage

Paws and Claws Pet Gifts

The pet-sclusive store welcomes your fur babies with toys, treats, and fashionable animal duds.
41 S. Van Buren St., 812-200-1358, facebook.com/pawsandclawspetgifts

Simply 4 You

Painted mason jars. Repurposed wine cork decorations. Kitschy wood signs hand-painted on-site by the owner. ’Nuff said. 145 S. Van Buren St., 812-350-8806

The Thomas Treehouse

An artist co-op featuring functional pieces by more than 40 local and Midwestern makers, carrying everything from jewelry to hand-thrown pottery tableware to heavy wooden cutting boards. You can watch proprietor and woodcarver Rhett Thomas at work in the store. 173 S. Old School Way, 812-720-7077, thethomastreehouse.com

Trail Hobo

Outdoorsy, granola-ish shop where campers and cabin-goers can hunt and gather artisanal Hoosier foodstuffs from the likes of U-Relish, B. Happy Peanut Butter, Indiana Pickle Company, and Indiana Craft Jerky. 71 W. Franklin St., 317-498-7207, trailhobo.com