A boomerang Indiana family is opening a new store in Mitchell, Indiana that will feature a selection of handmade items produced by the area’s large Amish population.
Blair and Mary Martin are Indiana natives who have moved back to Indiana after living outside the state for several years, and they are opening Martin’s Market beginning on September 17, in time to be open during Mitchell’s Persimmon Festival.
According to 2010 data from the Association of Religion Data Archives, Indiana has the highest percentage rate of Amish adherence in the US, followed closely by Ohio and Pennsylvania. Daviess, Martin, Orange, and Washington Counties form the heart of the southern Indiana Amish settlement region; Daviess, Martin, and Orange Counties are ranked in the top ten counties in Indiana for Amish percentage of population, and Daviess County is in the top ten for the nation. A larger concentration of Amish families resides in northeastern Indiana.
The Martins are focusing on bringing together products from multiple local Amish families in their store. Co-owner Blair Martin said, “Since everything is handmade, it will take some time to build the inventory. We decided to feature goods produced only by our local Amish communities in Lawrence and Orange Counties. We don’t want to order from Ohio or Pennsylvania when we can support our own community. We are now working with sixteen individual Amish families around the Mitchell area and will continue to add more as we grow.”
The store will also feature a section that showcases products from other Indiana-based vendors, such as Yoder Popcorn (Shipshewana), Sugarbush Maple Syrup (from nearby Salem), Tell City Pretzels, and three Mitchell-based companies, JavAroma, Back To Nature Farm, and Sweet Soul Jewelry & Decor.
Additionally, the store will feature overstock items from traditional, larger wholesale and retail suppliers.
Martin’s Market is located at 1307 W Main Street in Mitchell, not far from the intersection with Highway 37. The Persimmon Festival runs from September 17 to 24 in Mitchell, and is celebrating its 75th year in existence. Further information on the Persimmon Festival is available at http://persimmonfestival.org/.