Sometimes a change of scenery can offer a whole new perspective. The Barefoot Cottage owner Beth Martin and her staff have experienced that and more through the move from a location on Fruitwood Lane to the former Secret Garden location in Historic Downtown Newburgh, Indiana.
“It’s been pretty fantastic being downtown,” says Hannah Theiring of Newburgh, Barefoot’s marketing and branding manager. “I think we’ve become a staple stop for downtown Newburgh.”
Martin purchased the building at 101 State St. in February 2015. After renovations, The Barefoot Cottage relocated and opened in the new space in November 2016. The process of redesigning the iconic building on the corner of State and Jennings streets was a labor of love that brought the staff together.
“Every day was a new challenge or adventure,” says designer Brian Ferguson of Evansville. “We really got to know each other more.”
While the new location tripled the floor space for The Barefoot Cottage, it is the character of the building that has been one of the favorite aspects of both staff and customers.
“I think customers really appreciate walking into somewhere that’s not a big box store,” says Theiring.
“The building does the talking,” adds Ferguson. “Customers like the mix of contemporary with the old charm of the building.”
"We put a lot of thought into the layout of the store,” says Martin. “We decided to put the boutique items downstairs and the décor upstairs. It really has worked out well.”
The addition of space has allowed Barefoot to expand in its current lines of products as well as introduce new items to the Tri-State. With a larger boutique space, the store’s apparel options have become the No. 1 selling product.
“It’s been really exciting to see it flourish,” says Martin. “In fact, we hired a stylist who will be here four days a week to help women find the clothes they feel best in.”
Along with apparel, Barefoot has brought in lines such as Lee Industries furniture, Magnolia Home Paints, Mariposa kitchen goods, Mistral soap, and more. The space also allows for a kitchen showroom complete with Fehrenbacher Cabinets and an area for designers and customers to sit down and browse through the new sample studio, which features options for rugs, curtains, upholstery, and more.
“There’s been an influx of new faces creating a new excitement for us and the community,” says Theiring.
For more information about The Barefoot Cottage, call 812-401-3383 or visit thebarefootcottage.com.
