More Than A Plant Shop, Botanical Bar Sows The Seeds Of Curiosity And Inspiration In Indianapolis, Indiana
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 21, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Gardening is not as easy as Martha Stewart makes it look. I have four healthy kids, one rambunctious dog, and two spoiled bearded dragons. I’m great at taking care of people and animals… but plants? Even the tiny succulent I purchased from Trader Joe’s has seen better days.
I’m not alone; gardening is hard. It takes hard work and diligence. It takes practice and patience. It’s one of those pastimes that’s so ubiquitous that it has to be easy, right? For folks looking to (ahem) grow their green thumbs in Indianapolis, Indiana, it *is* as easy, thanks to Victoria Chantel and her Botanical Bar. This boutique specialty plant shop operated as a pop-up for two years before putting down roots at 1103 N College Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana. Step inside, and you’ll be transported into an oasis full of affordable houseplants, seasonal gardening supplies, and endless inspiration.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
In popular culture, the neighborhood bookstore is a common trope that conjures up feelings of coziness and comfort. Simply put, books – and by extension, bookshops – just make people feel good.
"My mother was a hairdresser; she would burn my forehand and tell me to go pick off the tip of the aloe plant and put it on my burned skin – that's when I realized the healing power of plants."
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This seed of inspiration from her childhood blossomed during the pandemic, when people turned to nature en masse.
Chantel, already familiar with the curative power of nature, had resigned from corporate America and gone through a farming program.
"While locked down, I became inspired to launch The Botanical Bar after visiting local plant shops," she says. But every successful small business owner will tell you that they need more than mere inspiration; they need a why -- a raison d'être. And for Chantel, it was representation.
The thing about these local businesses was that none of the owners looked like her. Chantel, "not seeing anyone who looked like me working or owning the stores," had her why.
As a Black woman, Chantel says she "wanted to provide a safe space for people of color to connect over the love of plants and inspire our community by creating an oasis that brings people closer to nature through indoor plants and urban farming."
Selling high-quality, affordable houseplants and gardening supplies was only one part of the equation. Chantel had much bigger plans; namely, she wanted to "alter the face of the horticulture industry."
And so in 2022, after success at local pop-ups, Chantel opened The Botanical Bar's brick-and-mortar shop at 1103 N College Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana.
To call The Botanical Bar a "plant shop" doesn't capture the soul of what this small business truly is: it's a beautifully curated botanical boutique that's infused with color and art; it's a boundary-breaking business that's become a cornerstone of its community.
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Because Chantel doesn't merely want to sell plants; she wants to set folks up with the tools they need for gardening greatness while also providing an education in the healing power of the natural world.
"Our workshops, especially those centered around wellness, plant care, and mental health, have fostered connections and nurtured personal growth," she says.
In addition, the shop's unique services, like repotting houseplants, and its commitment to products made by women and women of color, set The Botanical Bar apart.
"In our first year alone, we've helped hundreds of people bring nature into their lives, and we've been overwhelmed with support from our community," says Chantel.
Chantel adds that she attribute the shop's success to its "authenticity, deep-rooted community engagement, and the undeniable passion behind what we do."
But she's humble, because the most crucial part of The Botanical Bar's success is Victoria Chantel – a plant-loving, boundary-breaking, community-minded visionary who's growing great things in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Many thanks to Victoria Chantel for sharing the inspiring story of Botanical Bar. Learn more and support this incredible Indianapolis business by visiting the Botanical Bar website and brick-and-mortar shop at 1103 N College Avenue — and be sure to follow this Indiana business on Facebook and Instagram, too!
Of course, Botanical Bar is one of many amazing businesses in Indiana that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another local business you’d like to see profiled on Only In Indiana, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In Indiana on Facebook and Instagram to stay to in the know about the Hoosier State’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems!
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