Buffalo Street Emporium Owner Cindy Dobbins with a display of coffee.

Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist

Column Note: Banter is a new semi-regular column written by Guest Columnist Shari Benyousky of Diners and Dives.

WARSAW — On a warm summer Friday evening in downtown Warsaw, Matt Fawcett pulled up and began setting up his sound equipment in front of Finley and Company. He showed me how his guitar came apart to travel easily and promised that he “would look pretty” when I returned to get his picture after Sip n’ Shop officially began at 5 p.m. He did.

What’s Sip n’ Shop?

Main Street Warsaw partnered with several local businesses to open late hours on a Friday evening and hand out complimentary wine and cheese to shoppers. Jenny Finley, owner of Finley & Company, raved about how “successful this event has become. It’s so nice not to have the streets closed, so people can drive by and see something happening,” she told me as she folded a shirt at her shop, which offers boutique women’s clothes of all sizes.

Moving Pictures

Pictured, from left, are Moving Pictures’ Orion Fritscher-White, Alex Neff, Nathan Underneath, Jackson Moeller, and Baxter Rowland.

Further down Center Street, we stopped at the second Sip n’ Shop location: Moving Pictures Tattoo. The gang agreed to come outside and pose for a picture in front of their sign: “Come on in! We’re more scared of you than you are of us.”

Nathan Underneath is the owner and wears his hair high and his earrings large. He’s been tattooing sunflowers lately but says that he is “always trying new things. I need to be better each month.”

I asked if the tattoo shop was serving wine too. “Yes,” photographer Alex Neff chuckled.

Nathan grinned. “Normally, we say that drinking and tattoos together aren’t a good idea!”

Alex added, “But drinking and looking at tattoos. That’s ok!”

I asked Nathan’s apprentices about their favorite tattoos. Jack recently drew by hand some ice climbers from the video game “Smash Bros.” Baxter laughed about a cartoonish Cheese-It cracker tattoo. Baxter also functioned as the cheese connoisseur and chose smoked Gouda, cheddar, and honey goat cheese for the complimentary charcuterie
board. Orion is the self-described “shop gremlin. But someday I want to do tattoos in the style of Pablo Picasso!”

A Little Glam

By now, up and down the street, it was obvious that Sip n’ Shop was in full swing. For two wonderful hours, from 5-7 p.m., the community came together, transforming the downtown district into a vibrant, social event.

After perusing the art tattoo books, we next went into Glam, where owner Michelle Hansen was busy giving personalized advice to her customers. I heard her give advice about whether gold or silver jewelry worked better with a specific outfit. She hugged several customers like dear friends.

When Michelle had a moment to offer a toast with her colleague Landyn Brune, they stood in front of the “Press for Champagne” doorbell out front. “Cheers to a successful Sip & Shop,” Michelle raised a glass of white wine. “We’re so grateful for the support, and we are proud to be part of a downtown community that shines brighter when we collaborate.”

A Safe Cove

Some of the customers at the newly rebranded The Cove, including Tina Bergman, pictured second from right.

It was obvious that the Sip n’ Shop evening was a resounding success when we next entered the newly rebranded store The Cove (formerly Elysian) and counted 16 customers shopping. Owner Tiny Bergman offered her enthusiasm for Main Street’s Sip n’ Shop and offered DORA cups of white wine and charcuterie cups. The store offers curated clothing, home styling, and gifts. Each time we passed it during the evening, it was full of shoppers.

By now, we had reached the corner of North Buffalo and East Center Streets, where musician Jerry Nenycz’s captivating moments of relaxation with his guitar guided us around the corner to the next shop.

Lakeland Art Gallery

Out front, we talked with local award-winning painter Brenda Stichter, who pointed out several modern pieces that had recently been featured in national magazines. “This blue one is called ‘Duly Noted.’” She posed next to a gorgeous piece with blue tones and added, “It was in ‘Artists Magazine.’” The painting won in its annual competition.

We also admired Elizabeth Wamsley’s sculpture. “My favorite is this twirly teapot,” she pointed with her cell phone. “I do make practical pieces,” Elizabeth smiled. “But my great love is to make sculpture. I have work all over the West Coast and in England and even Greece!”

We entered the art gallery to admire an exhibition of Cardinal Center’s Red Bird artists. Director Melodie Koher told us that exhibits run for six weeks. Red Bird pieces will be available until the end of September, so stop by and peek like Steve and Alicja Block.

Something For the Men

We walked across to the amazing shop of Tim Hamman called Male Fashions. Tim moved to this new spot not long ago. “I love the new location.” Tim flipped through some of the specialized ordering books he stacked on the counter. “It’s bigger and the open brick walls are cool.”

Hamman is well-known for his attention to detail and for helping his customers create a look that suits their age, body type, and style. He pursed his lips as he studied a look and adjusted the fit. Hamman also has the perfect options for special events, weddings, and prom.

Books and Coffee

Next to Male Fashions is another downtown staple, Buffalo Street Emporium, where Cindy Dobbins poured tiny glasses of Carolina Cream. “It’s wine-based,” she told us. “And I have some of my famous coffee brewed if you want to put them together. I have decaf too.”

Buffalo Street is filled with books and the smells of coffee and chocolate. “Pretty soon, I’ll have a bunch of hardback Harvard Classics too,” Cindy promised as she ran up our order of chocolate-covered almonds. She also offers new and gently used children’s books.

The last location offered something a little different. On the way there, we passed Ben Essick filling the air with energy and soul on his saxophone.

Nicodemus Card Shop

Giant purple cat eyes watch as you enter Nicodemus Cards and Gaming Shop over on Market Street, next to The Papers office. Nicodemus began during the boredom phase of COVID-19 and has flourished since. Owners Diana and Mike Hadley and Mark Liddell greeted me inside.

“The wine and cheese are in the back room,” Mike told me. I asked if there was a password, and he laughed. “Like an email code? Then you must knock three times and shake with your elbow?” You never know about a gaming store with all the cards, games, and sports you’ll ever need.

Next up – Nicodemus hosts their first ever Dungeons & Dragons game night from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 27. Seats are limited to six for the first run, so if you’re interested, give them a call ASAP. They are also part of a Card Show at Grace College on Sept. 28.

When’s the Next Sip n’ Shop?

As the clock struck 7 p.m., the music faded and the streets slowly cleared, but the sense of community and the memories lingered. The August Downtown Warsaw Sip n’ Shop was a testament to the vibrant spirit of downtown Warsaw, a perfect summer night well spent. Put the next Sip n’ Shop on your calendar – 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. And
keep another eye out for a Fashion Show in early October.

Do you know of an interesting place, restaurant, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured in Diners and Dives or Banter? Send Shari Benyousky of SB Communications LLC an email at [email protected].