By: Isabelle LaPapa

Off of East Huntington and Main Street, the dual businesses of the Faith and Frills Boutique and the Nutrition Cafe share more than just a space as they continue to settle into their beloved community in Montpelier. 

Cari Smith established Faith and Frills Boutique in 2017 and found a brick-and-mortar home last July when Michaela Sandoe joined and established her own business making tasty drinks at the Nutrition Cafe. “It totally just fell into place,” Smith said. 

The new location is placed strategically for Smith and Sandoe’s businesses. New-comers to Montpelier can spy the shop’s red and beige exterior off the main thoroughfare. Local community members have easy access to go shopping or grab a coffee on their way to or from their destinations.

When Smith and Sandoe planted their businesses close to home, the flexible hours and central location allowed them to be there for their families, and their families for them. Sandoe stated she was grateful for the flexible hours, which allowed her to look after her five-month-old son. Both women commented on how their child-friendly store location allowed them to look after their children and bring them to work on days when they could not take them to daycare. 

The family touch extends to the shop’s decor, as well. Much of the furniture decorating the boutique has been restored by Smith’s father. The hutches and shelves painted by Smith’s father work as a display for vendor goods brought in by other women-owned businesses. Crocheted animals, cups, candy, and totes are among some of the products sold through Smith and Sandoe’s businesses. 

There are many ups and downs to working as a small business owner. Smith mentioned her greatest lesson has been in organization. There can be stresses that can take a toll, but in the end, the success is their own.

“There’s a lot of hard, but the reward after the hard makes it all worth it,” Smith said. 

The shop regulars make the hard work even more rewarding. Sandoe mentioned several regular customers who come in or receive deliveries. Her deliveries often take her to the local nursing homes. One favorite regular stops by to pick up a box from the cafe. It has become a simple joy for Smith and Sandoe to sit and talk with their guests. 

“Regular customers become more like family to you,” Sandoe said. 

A highlight of the joint space shared by Smith and Sandoe is the ability to organize and host events. Seasonal events, like the Ladies Rule Galentines Party, are popular and allow Sandoe the ability to create festive specialty drinks from the Nutrition Cafe. Birthday parties are also an option for the two women. Party-goers can enjoy all the combined services the cafe and boutique offer. 

Speaking of services, the Faith and Frills Boutique offers a range. Smith selects clothes for a variety of customers based on the season. You can be sure to find spring and summer dresses as well as jackets or toddler-sized outfits this time of year. Smith strives to stock the boutique with outfits for men and women, old and young. 

The boutique would not be complete without the graphic tee bar. Customers can select one of Smith’s thousands of designs to press onto her collection of shirts. Visitors can even order their own clothes and custom designs. This feature offers a unique experience for shoppers from Montpelier and visiting counties to own a truly one-of-a-kind item. 

In addition to finding clothes for all seasons, Smith operates a salon in the back of her boutique where she cuts and styles hair. 

If customers get thirsty or want a tasty treat while trying on clothes, getting a haircut, or browsing the vendor booths, they only have to turn and order a beverage over at the Nutrition Cafe. Flavored syrups line the small kitchen counters where Sandoe creates her orders. The cafe serves hot or iced coffee, loaded teas created with various flavors and add-ins, hot chocolate, or chai, hot or iced. 

A number of syrups can be added for a twist, but the seasonal items hold a special charm (no pun intended). For St. Patrick’s Day, the menu features a new array of drinks and flavor combos. Seasonal combos include titles like “4 Leaf Clover,” Shamrock Coloda,” and “Irish Jig.”

According to the two women, they hope to continue hosting vendors at their location, as well as adding seating to their indoor space and outdoor porch. This not only provides people with a space to enjoy their drinks from the cafe, but fosters a deeper sense of community, giving locals a place to gather, study, work, shop, and host events. Smith’s hope is to make it a “one-stop-shop with a very relaxing environment.”

Looking to the future, both the Faith and Frills Boutique and the Nutrition Cafe have much to celebrate. The upcoming Montpelier Jamboree will be the milestone that marks their first anniversary as brick-and-mortar businesses. Both Smith and Sandoe continue to improve and expand their businesses, working together to support each other and their families through their passions. 

“[We are] really thankful and grateful the community has been so supportive…and opened their arms to us,” Smith said. 

Find the Faith and Frills Boutique and the Nutrition Cafe at 114 E. Huntington, Montpelier, IN. Both are closed on Sundays, with the boutique open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. The Nutrition Cafe is open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturdays. The cafe runs deliveries on Thursdays and is closed on Wednesdays. Hours for the boutique and cafe may vary. The shops run Facebook pages under their respective names. Find more details about the Nutrition Cafe or order online on their website: https://nutrition-cafe.square.site/.