Pulaski County is full of hidden gems, but Mina’s Market and Boutique might be the gem that shines the brightest. Alisha Becker, owner of Mina’s Market and Boutique, has been in business for seven years. Being part consignment shop, part boutique, part cafe, and led with a lot of love, this business leaves a lasting impression.
Mina’s Market and Boutique had quite the humble start; the business started as a side hustle for Becker to make some extra income. She sold used clothes and baked pastries all online. Eventually, her business became so big that the clothes and baked goods started taking up her entire house. It was time to expand.
Becker bought her first building two years ago, but before she knew it, she outgrew the space. She decided to put her professional culinary training to use and buy the building next door to turn it into a little cafe.
“In today’s economy, neither business could survive alone. There are not enough people who drink coffee and there are not enough people who buy used clothes. They feed off each other – we couldn’t have one without the other. Having the cafe within the boutique allows people to actually come and sit, look around while they're sipping on coffee, and spend more time in the space,” said Becker.
It didn’t take long for Becker to outgrow her space again. She looked around for the perfect permanent home for her business and ended up buying an old warehouse building on 116 N. Logan Street in Winamac. Now, her cafe and boutique are finally all under one roof.
“We just keep expanding and rotating, and we’re always coming up with new things to do,” said Becker.
Mina’s Market and Boutique’s road to success wasn’t easy, though. When Becker first tried to get a loan for her new building, she ran into some challenges because the bank didn’t believe she would be successful.
“It was really hard. I had three years of tax returns showing profits yearly and how much my business had grown, but it wasn’t good enough. It was defeating,” Becker said.
Becker didn’t let this setback get to her. She worked hard to find another bank to provide her loan and has since proved that her business is not only successful but a game-changer for the Winamac community.
“I love getting to say ‘Look at what we brought to Winamac.’ Many businesses had gone out of business and there were no stores here that sold clothes – there were no options. We’ve only continued to grow and keep bringing new things to the community,” said Becker.
Becker could have started her business anywhere, but she couldn’t be happier to serve Pulaski County. Both she and her husband grew up in Pulaski County and decided that it was important to stay and find a way to give back.
“We have done nothing but invest in our community because we love Winamac. We invest in the school; we do everything to support other local businesses. I don't know that this would have had the same impact in a bigger town – I know every single face, and so many of the students who we donate to come back to say thanks. It means a lot to them,” said Becker.
Becker and her husband are committed to bringing new life to Pulaski County by working with other local businesses rather than against them. For them, having a business is just as much about uplifting their community as it is about making a profit.
“We're here to support everybody. We're not here to run businesses off. We're not here to compete with businesses. As a county, we all need to work together. That’s the only way we’re going to continue to grow,” said Becker.
Looking to the future, Becker dreams of her daughter taking over the business, but for now, she just hopes to keep doing well to continue giving back to the community she’s called home her entire life.
“I hope that it takes off and keeps going like it is so that we can continue to support the places that we donate to,” said Becker.
Of course, Becker couldn’t have created such a successful business without the support and love of her family.
“I owe everything to my kids and my husband. It was a hard couple of years. All of this started inside my house – sometimes it was like we didn't have a house because this stuff took up so much space. They were so good about working around me and working through the mess and the piles of clothes and helping me get through every setback. I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Becker.
Mina’s Market and Boutique is ultimately the perfect one-stop-shop in Pulaski County for anyone looking for not just a delicious bite to eat or a stunning new outfit, but an opportunity to support a tenacious local business owner who does so much for her community.
To learn more about the Pulaski County Community Development Commission, visit cfopc.org.
