Fort Wayne, Indiana Shopping Guide
The First Stop: Downtown Boutiques & Shops
Fort Wayne’s downtown is experiencing a major metamorphosis, and the expansion of boutique shopping has not been left out of the economic chrysalis. With numerous downtown boutiques and many more located in the greater Fort Wayne area, the opportunities are endless to shop locally.
My summer boutique shopping list started at the athleisure and Pilates store Idlehour. Idlehour is tucked into the side of the building so finding the entrance can be tricky if you’ve never been in the store before. However, the owner does a great job setting a sign by the parking lot to direct you to the front door. Idlehour specializes in an array of women’s fitness clothing, including fabrics that breath and wick sweat during your workouts, but also feel great when lounging on the couch. Also, in-stock are candles and homemade jewelry crafted by local Fort Wayne artists.
Lunch Break
Upon my shopping quest, I found myself starving from all the calories I was burning trying on piles of dresses. So, I grabbed a bite at one of Fort Wayne’s many downtown restaurants. With over 20 downtown restaurants to choose from, you’re sure to find a favorite.
As I walked down Harrison Street after lunch, I stopped by the Ash Skyline Plaza, the new Ash Brokerage building has magnificent offices on the top floors with businesses rented out at the bottom. If you need some sugar to boost your energy before starting your next round of shopping, get a sweet treat at one of the many delicious spots downtown like Kilwins Fort Wayne, Buyamba Sweet Shoppe, or Kanela, Blended Drinks, Coffee, and Bites.
Downtown Boutiques Round 2
Another downtown "must visit" is The Find. I was immediately digging the vintage chic look and feel of the wooden accents and distressed end tables. The “finds” you’ll discover in The Find though are hardly distressed. With a wide array of goods for sale, you can buy women’s clothing, skincare products, jewelry, adorable baby blankets and onesies, even unique cards if you forgot to pick-up that birthday card while you were out-and-about.
Next Stop: Glenbrook Square
After my adventures in downtown, I headed to the north of Fort Wayne just a short distance away from downtown, to Glenbrook Square. Glenbrook Square is the large, indoor shopping complex that boasts over 100 stores, and multiple restaurants. Clearly, you could easily camp out at Glenbrook Square all day if you’re so inclined. While I spent only the afternoon at Glenbrook Square, it was jam-packed with fashion-forward finds for everyone in my family. I nabbed a shirt for my fiancé in the men’s section at Express and some heels for me at Payless and Forever 21.
While Glenbrook is obviously packed with more mainstream retail stores, it has something to offer for everyone in your family. Whether it’s back-to-school, birthday, or just-for-fun shopping, Glenbrook Square should be on your Fort Wayne shopping list.
End of Day 1
Today was quite the day, hitting all that downtown Fort Wayne and Glenbrook Square has to offer was so much fun. I would highly recommend grabbing some friends and spending the day in Fort Wayne. Make a day trip out of it and grab a TinCaps game in the evening or head to Club Soda for cocktails as a toast to all of the awesome finds of the day. Or do as I did and stay the night in Fort Wayne to go to Jefferson Point and Covington Plaza the next day!
Day 2
All Aboard to Jefferson Pointe
Jefferson Pointe is the beautiful outdoor shopping complex located in southwest Fort Wayne. An easy drive on Jefferson Boulevard led me out of downtown Fort Wayne to the sprawling campus of Jefferson Pointe.
If this is your first time at Jefferson Pointe, my advice, before you start out, is to take a look at their map located at the major entrances of the shopping center. I did not have a map and it took me a few rounds to find where everything was located within the Jefferson Pointe campus. Also, bring comfy shoes! This is not the day to break out those adorable block heels that make your feet ache after an hour. Sacrifice the fashion for comfort today.
After you get oriented, explore the wonderful outdoor shopping oasis that is Jefferson Pointe. You’ll find retail chains like Marshalls and White House Black Market. Among the chains, you’ll notice Eddie Bauer and Loft. Within the corners of Jefferson Pointe is a DeBrand Fine Chocolates location, go in and grab an iced coffee like I did to fuel up for another lap around Ulta Beauty.
After hitting the multitude of storefronts located in Jefferson Pointe, I finished up the afternoon with lunch. Throughout Jefferson Pointe’s outskirts, there are a bunch of restaurants within walking distance or a short drive out of the parking lot. Ranging from places like Chick-fil-A to locally owned fine dining at Eddie Merlot’s and Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, you will find something to delight your taste buds.
Last Stop: Covington Plaza
For those who like high-end fashion boutiques with local flair and less of a mainstream vibe, Covington Plaza will be your safe haven. A short drive down Jefferson Boulevard from Jefferson Pointe led me to Covington Plaza. With these shopping complexes a short distance from each other, it is easy to pair them together to create a wonderful day of shopping.
I started out the Olive Twist – a Fort Wayne favorite. If you’re a culinary expert, novice or a foodie, the Olive Twist stocks unique and high-quality olive oils and balsamic vinegar. It also provides you the unique experience to taste any or all of the oils and vinegar flavors to find the one you like best! Armed with my long tasting list and a mini pencil, I set out through the rows of oils and vinegar to find tastes I’ve never experienced before.
The Olive Twist also holds cooking classes to teach you how to use the oils and vinegar sold there. Don’t have time for a cooking class? Don’t worry, they also have recipe cards that rotate so grab one, two, or five like I did, to pocket some quick inspiration.
After the Olive Twist, I walked down the sidewalk to Jophiel. An elegant, open-concept gallery of women’s clothing opened up before me as I walked through the door. Women’s shoes, slacks, blouses, and dresses are all in stock at Jophiel and will lend an air of sophistication to any casual or professional look you curate there. A few stores down is The Monogram Shoppe and more... that has been open since 1980. You can find super cute home decor, accessories, and special gifts for friends and family.
End of Day 2
Jefferson Pointe and Covington Plaza were two amazing and different atmospheres in which to shop. With the diverse storefronts, there was something for everyone, and it was complete with delightful places to have lunch and dinner to round out the day. It was a pleasant change to be shopping in the open air taking in the sunshine instead of in the light of fluorescent tubes and shiny linoleum of other drab malls, while still finding an abundance of storefronts.
The End of the Journey
Alas, all good things must come to an end. My time spent creating this shopping guide was so much fun, and I hope you are inspired to try out the many different shopping places Fort Wayne has to offer. This experience opened my eyes to the diverse shopping options there are in Fort Wayne, including downtown boutiques, Glenbrook Square, Jefferson Pointe and Covington Plaza, all of which I visited during this two-day shopping guide. Along with the clothes, there was so much more! Places like the Olive Twist’s olive oils, The Find’s jewelry, and Idlehour’s beautiful candles checked off everything I could have wanted outside of the regular jeans and a t-shirt.
