New Urban-Style Boutique Opens In SoBro

Writer & Photographer: Stephanie Duncan

Another shop has opened up in the old Big Al’s Superstore building, located at the 46th Street and College intersection, bringing more business to the area. The Urban Hippie is an Indiana-owned boutique that is hoping to serve some trendy boho and urban style to South Broad Ripple. The Urban Hippie is a small boutique run by Daisha Virgin and is stocked with a wide variety of fun, trendy pieces that embody a relaxed boho chic and urban style with an emphasis on texture and comfort.

Virgin was inspired to open up the second location after watching her aunt open up the first store in Ft. Wayne seven years ago.

“She was tired of the corporate life and wanted to try out e-commerce and started selling things on eBay,” Virgin says. “The clothing she was bringing in were super cute with a cool hippy style that embodied her vibe. So we convinced her to open up a brick and mortar shop.” 

At first, friends and family were hanging out at the small studio but business quickly exploded to where The Urban Hippie expanded into a larger space. Virgin has always been super excited for the potential of this shop.

“At first she just wanted a cool place to hang out by herself, and it just got bigger and it became its own brand”, she says.

When returning to Ft. Wayne to visit friends and family, Virgin found herself at the shop often, she realized she wanted to open one of her own.

“Whenever I’d go home, I’d be there hanging out and we’d always say we needed to open up another location in Indy,” she says.

Both locations have a variety of brands and collections handpicked by both owners with a focus on texture and the boho style, but each shop reflects their own personal style.

“I’m a little more rock ‘n roll, and I love going to concerts,” Virgin says. “So I’ll bring in items reflect that.”

The space and the timing for the second space had to be perfect. After living in the Broad Ripple area for several years, Virgin wanted her shop to be here.

“We weren’t going to just pick anywhere because style is very important to us,” she says.

With the vacant Big Al’s building being renovated, the timing was perfect. The shop has an open-loft feel, styled with inspiration from the 70s — showing off exposed brick, high ceilings with a lot of natural light and complete with VW bug in the bathroom and a vintage fridge.

“We want people to hang out and enjoy the space and the clothing,” Virgin adds.

Animal rights is also an important mission for The Urban Hippie as well. Much of what is sold in the shop is vegan leather. Monthly donations are made to the local and international animal groups like Hope for Animals in Fort Wayne, Lennox Legacy Rescue, Soi Dog Foundation, and Frosted Face. They hope to find more Indy organizations for a bike pub crawl event, Pedal for Paws, that will take place this summer. 

The Urban Hippie is located at 4601 N College Ave, next to the newly opened Scarlet Lane Taproom. You can visit them online at theurbanhippie.biz or give them a call at 260-420-4479.

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