Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
PAOLI – Rarely would anyone consider a tornado hitting their town as a positive development, but when a twister blew through Orange County in 2023, damaging several structures on the Paoli square, residents quickly banded together for cleanup and repair efforts.
Lost River Market & Deli brought and water for volunteers, messages of encouragement such as “Build back better” were painted on the windows of local businesses.
Plans to create a more vibrant downtown were already in progress when the tornado hit, but the response of community members to help their downtown has ignited a new interest in working together to energize the Paoli downtown.
Possibilities in Paoli, a downtown revitalization group, was recognized by the Office of Rural and Community Affairs as an OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network earlier this month. The group spent a year holding community conversations to gauge interest.
Led by officers Chelsey Thomas, president; Brandon Query, treasurer, Stevie Allen and Mindy Rogers, the group has a business plan, board of directors, officers and committees. Its next activity is a downtown spring cleanup day March 30.
“This has always been a tight knit community. We’ve given a platform for the community to share ideas and created an avenue for ideas to manifest and happen,” Query said.
The group is active on social media, promoting local events. Thomas said just keeping the community connected and informed about downtown happenings is bringing people together.
“I am incredibly excited for Possibilities in Paoli and I think it’s crucial to point out how quickly their efforts have been recognized – it was only about a year ago that this group got going!” said Skylar Whiteman, executive director of the Orange County Economic Development Partnership. “There has been so much energy brought to this effort and you can see the focus and excitement paying off. Revitalization takes time and dedication and I know these passionate volunteers will continue to push forward for more businesses, more investment, and more pride in downtown Paoli.”
Before the PIP received its ODAN status, interest in downtown was already picking up. Over the past year, several new businesses have opened on the square – Happy Life Health and Wellness, Jazzy J’s Paw Spa, Wild Polka Dots and Purple Moon Aquatics have all opened.
Team OC, a youth mentoring program is planning to move downtown. A block off the square, the Lost River Market & Deli, will re-open in April following a renovation that will add a community space and cafe.
Thomas, president of Possibilities, said Paoli was never lacking in potential, it just lacked a group focused on downtown.
“Possibilities in Paoli has brought concerned citizens, business owners, and community leaders together to move the needle forward for Paoli,” Thomas said. “This group has opened the floor for motivation, inspiration, and creativity for Paoli. We have big plans for this organization and are even more excited to take action with our ODAN status under our belt.”
‘There’s power in numbers’
William Windhorst owns Windhorst for the Home, a furniture, appliance and mattress store on the square. The business dates back to the 1930s and he has owned the business since 2001.
He has seen the ebbs and flows of downtown Paoli and admits he’s seeing a new enthusiasm for being downtown.
“There’s more excitement than I’ve seen in the 23 years I’ve been on the square. People are realizing there’s power in numbers if we all get together and that’s what is exciting,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst recalled a time when Saturdays were so busy at his store, he had a half dozen sales people working the floor.
“About three or four years ago, the square was very stagnant and there was not a lot going on. There were empty storefronts and not many businesses were opening,” he said. “I credit a lot of what’s happening to the Paoli Chamber and Possibilities in Paoli. We have these organizations trying to get to the finish line and all these groups are on the same train now.”
Josh Beaty opened Purple Moon Aquatics on the square last month. He started the business out of his home and outgrew the space. He looked at a couple of options, before locating downtown. Beaty’s business, which sells 500 varieties of fish, frogs, plants and aquarium supplies, was one of five Paoli businesses that received a $1,000 small business grant from the Paoli Chamber.
“We’re excited to be here and wanted to be here because there is more attention on the square,” he said. “It feels like a little community here. Everyone on the square has been super nice and welcoming.”
In 2022, Windhorst opened his second downtown Paoli business – Dub’s Custard & Coffee.
Serving frozen custard, coffee drinks and donuts, Windhorst transformed an old service station into a warm and spacious place to meet up for coffee and treats. Dub’s combined what he saw as a need for a local coffee shop and his love of ice cream and creating new flavors.
“It was a 10-year dream,” he said. “It was something I think people wanted.”
Windhorst was originally from Louisville and moved to Paoli, which was his wife’s hometown. He said he often tells people he could have picked an easier job that would have paid more but he loves being part of the Paoli community.
“It’s the cutest square in the country. It’s quaint and picturesque. My store faces the courthouse and people are constantly stopping to take pictures,” he said.