New Shop Brings Whimsy and Style to the Neighborhood
Writer / Fredda Kovacs
Photography Provided
One step inside Brick & Mortar, and youre immediately surprised at how spacious it really is. Located in Old Town Greenwood, Brick & Mortar is a small establishment identified by a sleek, black facade, nestled between Penelope June Salon to the east, and a new brewery coming soon to the west.
This charming gift shop is the creative collaboration of Kelly McLaughlin and her daughter-in-law Ashley McLaughlin. Ashley, a 2014 graduate of Center Grove High School and a 2019 IUPUI grad, married Kellys son Max McLaughlin in 2018.
Family travels through Europe provided inspiration for the shop owners.
We loved what we experienced in Europe – spaces that were cultivating community and celebrating makers, Ashley says. They are a meeting place for the community. We dreamed of a way to make this a reality in our community.
Upon returning home, the McLaughlin ladies wasted no time in making that dream come true. The perfect space was secured, and after a whirlwind renovation, Brick & Mortar opened on April 30.
We have a rule of sorts – everything you see in our boutique are things we love, things that you would find in our own homes, and things we feel our customers will love, Ashley says. As the buyer, Ive created relationships with amazing makers locally, nationally and even internationally. For many of the makers, we are their first and only international stock list.
Brick & Mortar offers a wide array of truly unique merchandise. Here you will find stationary and vegan leather bags by Tinne+Mia of the Netherlands, candles crafted by Indys own MOCO Candles, whimsical, fresh-cut flower bouquets by Indys Blooms by Wildwood, and much more.
Gifts, accessories, skin-care items and self-care apothecary products are just a few more of the one-of-a-kind finds in this delightfully interesting shop.
Step out back and you will find yourself on the cozy, enchanting patio – a perfect place to enjoy any of their teas or coffees and learn about the individual makers.
Ashley and Kelly are invested heavily in Old Town Greenwood, both as shop owners and as residents, and giving back is a pillar of their business plan. Theyve created a fund whereby 10% of all profits are invested back into the community to local nonprofits, awarded each season. Nonprofits can apply for donation money through the Contact form on the official shop website.
We learned recently that back in the 1980s, this exact space was occupied by a woman who sold dried flowers and teas, which are two items we will always feature, Ashley says. We feel like Brick & Mortar is a sweet homage to that bit of local history.
Visit Brick & Mortar at 215 West Main Street in Greenwood. For more info, go to brickandmortarshop.com.
