Discover some of the area’s top locally owned businesses in 2025
Locally owned businesses are the backbone of Greater Lafayette, and those small business owners invest time, finances, energy and passion into their companies. Here we take a look back at the small business of the month winners recognized by Greater Lafayette Commerce in 2025, along with the Small Business of the Year winner. Old National Bank is a longtime sponsor of the Small Business of the Month & Year program. The winners were recognized each month at a ceremony at Ripple & Co.
JANUARY – THIS OLD BUTCHER SHOPPE
This locally owned full-service butcher shop serving the Greater Lafayette area was launched in September 2021 by owner Jessica Roosa, a Purdue University graduate, as an offshoot of the family’s agriculture business (This Old Farm) and with a mission to bring sustainable, locally sourced meats to the community. What sets This Old Butcher Shoppe apart is its emphasis on transparency, regenerative agriculture and traceability. It offers pasture-raised pork, non-GMO-fed poultry, grass-fed lamb and beef, and dry-aged beef cuts — all sourced from known local farms and processed under USDA inspection. Beyond its product selection, the shop is praised for knowledgeable staff and superior customer experience: reviewers highlight the butchers’ willingness to explain cuts, give cooking advice and consistently deliver high quality.
This Old Butcher Shoppe
3623 Braddock Dr., Suite B Lafayette (765) 767-4886
FEBRUARY – BUDGET BLINDS OF KOKOMO AND LAFAYETTE
Serving the Kokomo and Lafayette areas, Budget Blinds has been operated by owner John Fansler since 2005. The business emphasizes a full-service model: it provides free in-home (or virtual) consultations, brings the “showroom to your home,” takes precise measurements, manages the ordering of custom window coverings (blinds, shades, shutters, drapes) and performs professional installation. This business is known for focus on design consultation and customized solutions. Products offered include a wide variety of blinds (wood, faux wood, vertical); shades (roller, cellular, Roman, woven); shutters (plantation and vinyl); draperies, outdoor shading solutions and motorized/automated coverings.
Budget Blinds of Kokomo and Lafayette John Fansler jrfansler@budgetblinds.com (765) 234-1681
MARCH – FLORA CANDLE COMPANY
Flora Candle Company is a locally owned artisan candle shop whose mission is rooted in sustainability, inclusivity and community. The business was founded by Nolan Willhite and Troy Weber in tribute to Nolan’s late great-aunt Florann, and they chose to keep the name “Flora” as a way to honor her memory.
The two use 100% soy wax sourced from the Midwest, favor natural and low-emission materials and maintain an eco-friendly business model—emphasizing local sourcing to reduce transportation impact and using toxin-free ingredients. Inside the store, you’ll find a lively selection of hand-poured candles, room and linen sprays, wax melts and other fragrance products. Its catalog features hundreds of unique scents, such as names inspired by regional themes, pop culture and seasonal moods.
Flora Candle Company 609 Main St. Lafayette (765) 767-4819
APRIL – GIBSON PAINTING GROUP
Gibson Painting Group is a family-owned painting and construction contractor serving the Greater Lafayette area. With a long legacy of five generations of experience, Gibson is committed to craftsmanship, attention to detail and delivering projects on time and on budget.
Its services cover both commercial and residential painting: everything from new construction and large facility repainting to home interior and exterior work, refinishing kitchens and bathrooms and preparing homes for sale.
Gibson Painting Group
105 N. 36th St., Suite C
Lafayette (765) 838-1233
MAY – THE OUTPOST CATERING
Established in the early 2000s originally as Sgt. Preston’s Catering before rebranding to The Outpost in 2007— the company grew from a downtown catering operation into a full-service venue offering onsite and off-site catering for weddings, corporate events, reunions and more. The Outpost’s catering service is highlighted by a diverse menu and flexible service styles, which include plated dinners to buffet setups, outdoor cookout themes and full bar service with licensed bartenders. THe Outpost is owned by Doug and Karen Cooper.
The Outpost Catering
2501 Old U.S. 231 Lafayette (765) 471-1706
JUNE – THE SPINNING AXE
The Spinning Axe is an indoor axe-throwing venue offering an energetic and unique entertainment experience. It opened in January 2021 after owners Barbara and Jason Whitenight were inspired by a visit to an axe-throwing facility in Kentucky.
This physically entertaining business caters to a broad audience—from families and birthday parties to corporate team-building and private events. Inside, guests will find multiple throwing lanes, a full-service bar, a patio with games, and concession-style food offerings, creating a lively atmosphere that blends sport, socializing and casual fun.
The Spinning Axe
351 South St.
Lafayette, IN (765) 637-7775
JULY – COORS REMODELING
Coors Remodeling is a family-owned, full-service residential remodeling company that has been serving the Greater Lafayette region since 1993. Founders Bart and Michelle Coors leveraged their backgrounds—Bart in construction and Michelle in interior/design education—to evolve the business from an exterior-focused remodeling company into a full-scope firm covering kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks and whole-home renovations.
Coors Remodeling offers a wide spectrum of services across both interior and exterior domains. On the interior side, it handles kitchen remodels (custom cabinetry, quartz/granite counters); bathroom updates (luxury surrounds, accessible design); basement finishing and living-space reconfiguration. For exteriors, the company designs and builds custom decks and outdoor living areas, as well as siding, windows and doors from premium brands.
Coors Remodeling
3480 Kossuth St., #5
Lafayette (765) 449-2600
AUGUST – GENERATION NA
Generation NA is a pioneering functional bottle shop and taproom specializing in non-alcoholic (NA) beverages. Founded in 2022 by owner Rob Theodorow, the business launched with the aim of providing an inclusive social space where people could enjoy beer, wine and spirits without alcohol. With an exclusive variety of unique non-alcoholic beverages, there also is a lively atmosphere with pinball machines and relaxed events such as open mic nights. The venue positions itself as a social space not just for those abstaining from alcohol, but for anyone seeking a different kind of drink experience — for health, wellness or simply curiosity.
Generation NA
504 Main St. Lafayette (765) 233-2366
SEPTEMBER – GARCIA INSURANCE AGENCY
Garcia Insurance Agency is an independent insurance firm that offers a variety of coverage options tailored to individuals, families and small businesses. According to its website, it carries policies for auto, home, renters, business, bonds, special events and more. Affordable and responsive service is a key selling point, especially for clients who may appreciate a more personalized experience than large national carriers. Owned by Diana Garcia, the independent agency represents multiple carriers rather than a single insurance company, which allows the agency to compare options and find competitive rates and coverage combinations for its clients.
Garcia Insurance Agency
2927 Union St. Lafayette (765) 449-4544
OCTOBER – CAMFLO HEATING & COOLING
Camflo Heating & Cooling, LLC is a familyrun HVAC firm that has been serving the area since 2009. Its name reflects its origins in the towns of Camden and Flora, and the leadership of the Hess family emphasizes a people-first philosophy: being easy to do business with, valuing your time and delivering on its word. The business places strong focus on honest service, expert workmanship (with many NATE-certified technicians), and longterm relationships rather than high-pressure sales.
Camflo offers a full range of HVAC services for both residential and commercial clients across the Greater Lafayette area. Its offerings include heating system repair, installation and maintenance (furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, ductless systems) and cooling services, including central air, ductless systems and full replacements.
Camflo Heating & Cooling
110 S. Center St.
Flora (574) 381-9919
TRISH’S RED BIRD CAF É
This year’s Small Business of the Year winner is Trish’s Red Bird Café, which was a Small Busines of the Month Winner in 2023.
Trish’s Red Bird Café opened in April 2018 in the historic community of Dayton just off I-65 — making it a convenient stop for locals and travelers alike. Named after the “Red Bird” horse-drawn sleigh that once transported people from Lafayette to Dayton in the 1800s, the café embraces a strong sense of local history and nostalgia.
“Being Small Business of the Year for 2025 is beyond anything we could have dreamed of receiving,” says owner Trish Brown. “We do the things that we do just because it is the right thing to do. Being able to give back to those that need help is just a dream come true. As I mentioned in my speech [after accepting the award], my husband and I just wanted to make a small profit to support ourselves, and anything above that was a blessing that we would be more than happy to share.”
Trish’s Red Bird Café offers a full-day menu: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its breakfast menu includes pancakes, omelets, biscuits with
sausage or pepper gravy, eggs any style, and its “Bird in the Nest” — eggs in toast — among others. For lunch and dinner, the café serves a broad array of comfort-style American fare: burgers, sandwiches, wraps, chicken tenders, catfish and cod meals, pulled-pork BBQ sandwiches and more hearty options such as country fried steak or prime rib sandwiches.
Brown adds, “The fact that we are becoming a favorite restaurant makes us very proud. We love sharing our family recipes with a modern-day twist. That is what we are based on and love to share. We hope to be able to continue to share our dreams for many years to come with our amazing staff that are so dedicated to our dream.” ★
Trish’s Red Bird Cafe
696 Walnut St
Dayton
(765)-296-6964
