While working my way through writing little Indiana the BOOK, I discovered that too many small businesses have since closed their doors. I grieve for a moment, then I feel just plain AWFUL. I wonder if I had gotten them up on the site if that would have helped them. But things get in the way. Posts need to be staggered. Sometimes it takes awhile to cycle back to it. Other times I just plain don’t get to it for no good reason at all.

So, here’s a sampling of shops and restaurants that no longer exist. For some, they simply went out. For others, it was time to retire or, like Hodson’s Grocery, it was due to an insurance company not helping out after decades of payments. That one still grinds my gears. But anyway. For Jerky Junction in Converse, Indiana, it was a losing battle to cancer. That town lost a very nice man.

Still shopping big box? Hopefully the images below will change your mind. In no particular order, here are the places that closed their doors this year. Just imagine, though, what your patronage could have done! Today, let’s tip our hats and try to do better in 2015! Support small businesses and change the economy! If there is a small business that closed this year, please let everyone know in the comments below. It will always have a place here.

Small Businesses that Closed in 2014

Cafe du Cirque in Peru, Indiana Exterior

Cafe du Cirque in Peru, Indiana Exterior

Social's Cafe in Swayzee, Indiana

Social’s Cafe in Swayzee, Indiana

Hodson's Market in Converse, Indiana

Hodson’s Market in Converse, Indiana

Jerky Junction in Converse, Indiana

Jerky Junction in Converse, Indiana

Ofenhaus Bakery in Huntingburg, Indiana

Ofenhaus Bakery in Huntingburg, Indiana

Knot a Coffee Shop in Tell City, Indiana

Knot a Coffee Shop in Tell City, Indiana

Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is little Indiana!

Just don’t forget to tell ’em that  little Indiana sent you!

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