Tinkerhouse Owner Sydney Tragesser-Tina is quick to acknowledge what makes her small shop successful: her faithful customers, and the numerous other shops and boutiques in the Tipton area that are making the small town a destination instead of a pass-through spot.
“In recent years we’ve had a lot more customers from out of town – people saying, ‘We heard we had to check out Tipton,’” she says. “There are so many amazing boutiques and shops in Tipton. We have awesome businesses here ,and we all work in our own way of being unique and having something special to offer, which is really important in a small town.
When you enter Tinkerhouse, you’ll first notice the selection of candles and the baby section, driven by the popular Bunnies By The Bay children’s brand, as well as the brands Pebblechild and Tiny Human. The whimsical shop also offers clothes, home decor, and something newer in the area – permanent jewelry.
“I love our permanent jewelry selection and giving customers this option,” Tragesser-Tina says. I have a matching bracelet with my mom, sisters and grandma, and it’s very special that I can be connected to them even if we aren’t always together. It’s a great gift to give someone special and we have tons of different charms. It’s really unique.”
She finds joy in seeing her customers discover unique items in her store.
“When I order items for the store that I’m excited about, whether it be a sweater or a baby item, and then I see those items lighting up the face of my customers, I just love it,” she says. “I love seeing someone enjoy something I do and witnessing their excitement.”
The boutique owner, just 19 when she started working at Tinkerhouse and 21 when she became the owner, relies on the boutique’s former owner, Donna Jenkins, and her family and friends for support – and it all started because she wandered into the shop one day and left her phone number.
“I came into Tinkerhouse one day just browsing around and Donna was working that day, which was unusual for her at that time,” she says. “We really hit it off and I just left my number saying to give me a call if she was ever hiring.”
Tragesser-Tina had just graduated from high school and was entering her freshman year of college when she started working at Tinkerhouse in 2021, undecided regarding whether she wanted to go into graphic design. She wanted her own studio space to show her own work, and says she’s always wanted to work for herself. Jenkins mentored her through working together, and helped her feel comfortable with taking the next step of ownership. The two women have an uncanny way of being on the same wavelength creatively, and the newest owner has put her own spin on the store, but keeps the majority of it similar to what is was before – it’s Tragesser-Tina’s way of honoring Jenkins and the client base she’s built throughout the years.
“I was definitely a little nervous that the timing happened so quickly, but I have such a great support system helping me, whether it’s my family, Donna or my friends,” she says. “They just kept telling me ‘You can do this. You love what you do and you’ve been doing this for years already.’”
Looking forward, Tragesser-Tina wants to hold events in the back room, perhaps for birthday parties, bridal or baby showers, or women’s shopping event nights, and she wants to continue being involved in the community.
“For 90% of the events that are going on in Tipton, we are ready to take part in them and support what’s going on,” she says. “Being part of the community is really important to us. I was born here, grew up here and went to Tipton High School. Being in Tipton is part of who I am, and I love being part of what’s going on in town because I want to be a part of this community and help it grow.”
Tinkerhouse is located at 138 South Main Street in Tipton and can be reached at 765-675-2407.
