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Veni’s Sweet Shop in Nappanee, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

Nappanee, Indiana is thrilled about the new kid in town, Veni’s Sweet Shop!

Yes, Veni’s Sweet Shop is as good as it sounds.

Veni’s Chocolate Shop in Nappanee, Indiana

Nice and bright, this shop is so welcoming. Rows and rows of chocolates in all shapes, sizes, and flavors beg to be bought and eaten behind the shining glass.

I would be lying if I said I came out of Veni’s Sweet Shop empty-handed!

But it’s research, right? I mean, I don’t really even have a choice in the matter. I owe it to all of you to tell it like it is.

Indiana Sweet Shop

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

After an agonizingly difficult decision, I ended up with Orange Creme, Vanilla Creme, and Mint Creme. My favorite flavors right here in little Indiana! Awesome.

Smooth and delicious–there’s no additives, wax, or preservatives in these chocolatey bites of Heaven. You can definitely taste the difference. Fresh and fantastic.

At this Indiana candy store, the Orange Creme was my favorite!

Personally, I would love to do more research on Veni’s Sweet Shop. Seriously. Name the day!

More Than a Chocolate Shop

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

This Elkhart County shop isn’t only for those who need a Chocolate fix (though it certainly does the trick!).

There’s a selection of nuts, candy, and even drinks–like an ice cream float or Hot Chocolate.

But more than that? I see Veni’s Sweet Shop as one more reason to bypass the big box shops and to support local business. Oh, how sweet it is!

Go There

A sweet shop is just what Nappanee needed! I can’t think of a better fit for this bustling Indiana town.

Find Veni’s Sweet Shop images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Veni’s Sweet Shop
101 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.4242

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Yoder Brothers Mercantile Images from Wakarusa, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Make your way into Wakarusa, Indiana and head into Yoder Brothers Mercantile.

This is an Indiana antique store with a fantastic history–and many very unusual pieces!

Yoder Brothers Mercantile is awesome inside and out. Just make sure to ask the owner about the various other businesses that once had a home here. I think you’ll find it very interesting.

Yoder Brothers Mercantile in Wakarusa, Indiana

Yoder Brothers Mercantile: Wakarusa, Indiana Ball Jars

Wakarusa, Indiana: Yoder Brothers Mercantile

Yoder Brothers Mercantile: Wakarusa, Indiana

Yoder Brothers Mercantile Wakarusa, Indiana

Yoder Brothers Mercantile: Wakarusa, Indiana Ball Jars

Find Yoder Brothers Mercantile images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Yoder Brothers Mercantile/Wakarusa Tribune
114 S. Elkhart Street
Wakarusa, Indiana
574.862.2179

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Yoder Brothers Mercantile in Wakarusa, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:30 +0000

Yoder Brothers Mercantile in Wakarusa, Indiana

Wakarusa, Indiana has one of the most interesting antique shops I’ve ever been in–Yoder Brothers Mercantile!

Wall to wall and floor to ceiling, little Indiana and hubby were constantly oohing and aahing at all the fantastic Indiana antiques.

Yoder Brothers Mercantile in Wakarusa, Indiana

The building itself is awesome. Right away the owner pointed down the length of his shop at two indentations way down the line in the original hardwood flooring.

Those are from years ago when a cash register and sales clerk hung out thataway–in the days when this was a department store!

Pretty neat, eh? It just gets better.

He told us about the hand-operated freight elevator in the back of the shop, the last one left in this tiny Indiana town. While it’s not something you would want to use, we got to take a peek inside. I bet if you ask nicely, he’d let you look, too.

Around The Outside

Yoder Brothers Mercantile in Wakarusa, Indiana

You’ll be totally shocked to see ANOTHER building in the back. Well, you would have been if I hadn’t of told you!

Since we were there on the most beautiful Summer day ever–the door was open revealing a green-space in the back. There was even a little pond.

Get a load of the outside of the building there. It is awesome. Then head back inside because there’s a whole second side to this giant Indiana antique shop!

What Lurks Below

I still have to tell you what was in the basement. The long, dark basement. You’ll want to come back for that–for sure! It’s a rather creepy look at bit of Indiana history.

Find Yoder Brothers Mercantile images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Yoder Brothers Mercantile/Wakarusa Tribune
114 S. Elkhart Street
Wakarusa, Indiana
574.862.2179

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Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center Images

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:00:33 +0000

This isn’t your typical welcome center. Don’t let them fool you with the “Embrace the Pace” logo. In Nappanee, Indiana–they do it right!

Welcome to The Welcome Center

A very grand building serves to welcome new visitors. Museum, info, free beverages and WI-Fi, plus area brochures, well, what more do you need?

You’ll get a better sense of what the Nappanee Welcome Center has to offer based on the slew of images below! It’s a “must stop” when you first arrive at this little pocket of peacefulness.

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center Images

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Exterior

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Hartman House

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Foo Truck

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Bust

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Cards

See more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Nappanee Welcome Center
302 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.7812

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Wakarusa, Indiana: Wakarusa Pro Hardware Images

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:00:47 +0000

Wakarusa, Indiana is such an incredible small town. The smattering of shops downtown contain some of the most unique businesses we’ve ever seen.

The Wakarusa Pro Hardware Store is a great example of that! Over 100 years old, this building has a neat quirk: the wall of drawers!

Wall of Drawers

As soon as you walk inside, well, it’s something you just can’t ignore. Floor to ceiling, they are still in use today–and can only be reached by THE 100 year old ladder! Check out this awesome Indiana town for yourself and see. But in the meantime? A few pics to tempt you.

Wakarusa Pro Hardware Images

Wakarusa Pro Hardware in Wakarusa, Indiana

Wakarusa Pro Hardware: Inside the Drawer

Wakarusa Pro Hardware in Wakarusa, Indiana: Rain Boots

Wakarusa Pro Hardware: Jessica Nunemaker

See more Wakarusa, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Wakarusa Pro Hardware Store
108 S. Elkhart St.
P.O. Box 382
Wakarusa, Indiana 46573
574.862.2775

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Images

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:00:20 +0000

If you saw my last article about The Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana, you probably remember how impressed I was by it. I’ve got a few more photos here so you get a better idea of why!

Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana

This 100 year old round barn is simply remarkable. It makes for a very intimate and unique theater. I can’t imagine there are many others of its kind!

Nappanee, Indiana is very lucky to possess such a treasure. If you haven’t been over to this part of the state, I highly suggest you do! This is Amish Country.

Round Barn Theater Images

Nappanee Indiana Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Left

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Light Deck

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Seal

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Lobby

Find more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Amish Acres Historic
Farm & Heritage Resort
1600 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
800.800.4942
574.773.4188

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Thanks again to Elkhart County and Amish Acres for the free tickets to Ring of Fire at Amish Acres. Opinions, as always, are mine and mine alone.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Wakarusa, Indiana: Cook’s Pizza

Jessica Nunemaker — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Wakarusa, Indiana: Cook's Pizza

Wakarusa, Indiana is the home to a very popular pizza joint: Cook’s Pizza.

little Indiana heard that people come from miles around to enjoy this Wakarusa favorite. After our visit there? I believe it!

Cook’s Pizza in Wakarusa, Indiana

On the corner of the main street, Cook’s Pizza can’t be missed! This small Indiana town doesn’t have all that many corners in its super cute downtown.

It’s a small mom and pop restaurant. Large windows look out onto the bustling street. You can choose between a handful of tables or cozy counter seating.

Small as it is, there can also be a bit of a wait! My advice? Try to go during the “off” time or prepare to wait for awhile. Either way? It’s so worth it!

Inside Cook’s Pizza

Wakarusa, Indiana: Cook's Pizza Stromboli

Everyone knows everyone else and the conversation is non-stop. Even folks milling around waiting for their to go order chit-chat with the tables.

The walls and shelving are full of local sports teams and other small town business. Nothing fancy, but that’s never mattered to little Indiana!

In fact, we’ve heard that several years ago a few local farmers were given a key so they could let themselves inside in the morning, make coffee, clean up, then lock up again. Only in a small town!

Cook’s Pizza Menu

Wakarusa, Indiana: Cook's Pizza Menu

How on earth could we decide? Pizza always sounds good to me! But when heard about their Stromboli Sandwiches? I was torn.

I ended up getting the Ham Stromboli. Hubs got the same thing but with Sausage.

These sandwiches? Works of art! I was just telling hubs last night that I was craving it. That would be the perfect midnight snack for sure.

Cook’s Pizza Delivers!

Just what you would expect from a small town: Friendly and Good. We’d love to go back and sample some more from the menu–if I can resist the call of the Stromboli!

Cook’s Pizza
101 South Elkhart Avenue
Wakarusa, Indiana 46573
574.862.4425

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center: Your Starting Point

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:02 +0000

When you first arrive in quaint little Nappanee, Indiana, this is the place to get your bearings. This is where you can figure out your next move, your “must do,” your plan of attack.

Nappanee Welcome Center

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center

There’s a slew of brochures just inside the front door. You’ll need them!

Here is where you will find maps to the country shops (that you really need to go to), area attractions like Amish Acres, and other nearby can’t-miss destinations, like the Wakarusa Dimestore.

Not only can you figure out your game plan, but you can browse through a little bit of Indiana history before you leave!

Get Your Indiana History Here

The Nappanee Welcome Center has all sorts of Indiana history here. This town boasts a lot of neat artifacts from its early days–and from the people in the town.

There’s info about the Air Force One pilot from Nappanee, the famed cartoonist Bill Homan of “Smokey Stover” fame (and quite a few others), as well as a really unusual attraction: Hartman House.

Hartman House

Nappanee, Indiana: Welcome Center Jessica Nunemaker

Was little Indiana and hubby expecting to find an actual house inside and part of the Nappanee Welcome Center? Not at all! What an unexpected and very interesting feature!

You literally walk through the rooms of the furnished home to get a feel for how life would have looked in the olden days. One word? Charming!

I would have loved to see the kitchen in its original form but that room is reserved for staff.

What they did include was the front porch. You know how we Hoosiers like a good front porch!

Nappanee History

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center: Fire Truck

There is a lot of military items on display here. They actually have books of old letters from different people in this Indiana town, like military members. Isn’t that a neat idea?

As you can see, I checked out the old jail. Our kids would have loved to have seen that one!

All in all, we were impressed! We weren’t expecting such a large welcome center and museum all rolled into one.

Nappanee, Indiana is certainly putting its best foot forward when new visitors come to town.

See more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Nappanee Welcome Center
302 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.7812

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Wakarusa Hardware Store: Wall of Drawers

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:00:25 +0000

Wakarusa Pro Hardware in Wakarusa, Indiana

I can hear what you are thinking, “Wakarusa, Indiana? A Hardware Store? You want us to visit a hardware store?”

This isn’t just a hardware store. Okay, it is just a hardware store, however–it’s a neat one!

Wakarusa Pro Hardware Store

Since the business began, this building has been a hardware store. You know, back at the turn of the century.

That in itself is amazing but what makes it something you should make a point to go see is because of what is inside the building.

Drawers. There are drawers and drawers and more drawers. A whole entire wall of floor to ceiling drawers containing loose items and smaller packaged things.

How do you get to all those drawers? Well, that’s what the tall, narrow, original to the building ladder is for!

Wakarusa Pro Hardware in Wakarusa, Indiana

Up The Tall Ladder

The men at Wakarusa Pro Hardware asked me if I wanted to climb the ladder for a better shot.

Yes, the one hundred year old, super narrow, super tall, ladder.

little Indiana is afraid of heights. As in, knee knocking, can’t move, afraid of anything more than a couple feet off the ground. Hubs offered to do it for me.

But–little Indiana has a passion for, well, little Indiana.

If I get a chance to do or see something that I know would wow all of you? Then, by golly, I have to try!

View At The Top

Each drawer has a story to tell. After one hundred years of use in this small Indiana town, there’s many signs of life.

Some drawers have the item attached to the outside of the drawer. Others have black marker scrawled across the top for good measure.

Wakarusa Pro Hardware in Wakarusa, Indiana: Up The Long Ladder

Masking tape and various colors of marker also hint at the contents found therein.

Step Back in Time

While a hardware store isn’t the place I’d normally go for browsing, in Wakarusa, Indiana? It becomes an attraction–and a remarkable piece of Indiana history.

See more Wakarusa, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Wakarusa Pro Hardware Store
108 S. Elkhart St.
P.O. Box 382
Wakarusa, Indiana 46573
574.862.2775

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana holds a very awesome attraction: The Round Barn Theater.

Built of wood in 1911, it’s probably one of the most unusual theaters I have ever been in (and I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere)!

Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana

After the barn was purchased from an Amish farm a few short decades ago, 100 Amish carpenters in Nappanee and beyond were hired to take apart the old round barn.

Each piece was numbered, moved to its new home at Amish Acres, and reassembled in order to house a permanent memorial to Joseph Stein and a theatrical hub in the small Indiana town of Nappanee.

Inside The Round Barn Theater

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Walking in to the Round Barn Theater you can’t help but gasp in awe! I wasn’t expecting the inside of the theater to literally be circular.

That might sound silly, but you have all been there before–places with names that reflect what they were aren’t always accurate as to how they look today.

But the Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres? Is incredible.

The Ring of Fire at The Round Barn Theater

Thanks to Elkhart County and Amish Acres, little Indiana and hubby saw a musical, a Johnny Cash tribute, Ring of Fire. Am I someone who would call themselves a Johnny Cash fan? Not so much. However–I really enjoyed this show!

The cast worked so well together with quite a few memorable voices. I’d like to hear more from some of them! Each Ring of Fire cast member trades off playing the part of Johnny Cash and/or other Cash family members. It puts a fun spin on the (many) Johnny Cash songs performed.

I’ve been singing, “How high is the water, Papa?” off and on since we saw the show. Very catchy. Kid #1 has been playing along and singing the response line back to me.

One of the perks of being little Indiana? I walk the line. Actually, they kindly let me take pics inside The Round Barn Theater the next day so all of you could see it too!

Yes, that neat image above is inside the theater looking up. Simply awesome.

Plain and Fancy

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Marquee

Though I haven’t seen it yet, I did find out that The Round Barn Theater is the National Home for the musical Plain and Fancy.

Written by Joseph Stein, the same guy who wrote Fiddler on The Roof, I think I can add it to the list as something that I should probably see someday. It’s a story of two couples, one of which is Pennsylvania Amish and the other? New Yorkers.

Don’t Cry! Cry! Cry! that you haven’t been there yet–head over to Amish Acres and see it all for yourself! They have a couple of shows playing at any given time.

Find more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Amish Acres Historic
Farm & Heritage Resort
1600 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
800.800.4942
574.773.4188

View Larger Map

Thanks again to Elkhart County and Amish Acres for the free tickets to Ring of Fire at Amish Acres. Opinions, as always, are mine and mine alone.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.