Dapper on a Dime Arrives in Tipton

While it’s common to see names like Armani and Versace around Indianapolis, you might be surprised to learn you can find those same designer labels in Tipton. For the first time in nearly half a century, a men’s clothing store is open on Main Street — Dapper on a Dime.

“I’m a true believer of things falling into place,” says owner Diane Overmyer.

Diane and her husband, Doug, are newcomers to Tipton from Noblesville. Starting as an online venture a year ago while the pair explored the world in their motorhome, the doors to the shop are open on Main Street.

“We’re a bedroom community, so people don’t do a lot of shopping here, and we’re trying to change that very drastically,” says Doug. “But so many people here live here, and they don’t shop here for groceries, they don’t shop here for anything, because it just hasn’t been available.”

The Overmyers are no strangers to entrepreneurship — they have bought out four boutiques, traveled to close-outs and sifted through thrift stores, rummage sales, eBay and other e-commerce websites to curate.

“There are a lot of people who are kind of blown away by the fact that you can buy some high-end brands here in Tipton,” Doug says. “We do a lot of pre-owned stuff. We’re super picky about what we buy.”

The attention to detail doesn’t end once the clothes are on the racks. The Overmyers work with a highly skilled local tailor to ensure their clients are getting clothing that fits well and looks good. They dry-clean or wash and repair everything they buy. The rejected items go to thrift stores.

“The whole ‘dapper on a dime’ concept was that you can dress like a million bucks, but it doesn’t have to cost a lot,” says Doug. “We had a kid who came in for prom last-minute, and we were able to get him situated. And then everybody raved about the suit that we got him. A purple jacket and black slacks. And he looked sharp.”

The physical location came about almost as a fluke, with a fellow business-owning friend suggesting they open a brick-and-mortar store. Doug says it was practically a necessity with the sheer amount of stock they have acquired.

“It was a blank canvas when we came in here. We stood at the door and went, holy cow, this place is huge, we’ll never fill it up,” Doug says. “And now we’re bursting at the seams and probably looking at another facility.”

The Overmyers say the biggest problem facing them as small-business owners in a small town is getting noticed. However, they’re not exactly newbies to the small-business game, already owning a promotional advertising company that does screen printing, embroidery and signage.

“We’ve been pretty proactive in marketing and advertising. I’m working on a co-branding piece right now with all the different boutiques because they’re all having the same trouble getting traffic in the doors,” Doug says. “So, we’re doing some co-branding on some shopping bags and things like that, so if you shop one store, then you get everybody else’s as well.”

For Doug, this business was a consequence of his passion for shopping, married to Diane’s desire to open a clothing shop. For Diane, this brings new opportunities to connect to others and learn.

“I like the interaction with the community. I have it easier with people coming in and talking, and I can strike up a conversation with them about anything,” Diane says.

More than anything, Doug looks to his wife for inspiration and drive each day.

“She is absolutely the driving force as far as motivation,” Doug says.

As wedding season approaches, keep Dapper on a Dime in mind for tuxedo rentals.

Visit Dapper on a Dime at 120 N. Main St., Tipton, IN 46072, Monday through Saturday.