All Good Things Soap- 318 W. Main

What a beautiful store! The owners of this establishment get it! The products are all hand-made soaps, lotions, and a variety of natural kitchen and bath items. Sonia and Larry Folkner opened up this business a few months ago. They attract customers in their store with a friendly, but tasteful exterior facade (bubbles on the awnings) and a bubble machine hidden where no one can see it. The bubbles cascade the sidewalk and bring the customers to the store. How innovative! This month, Sonia has displayed an antique tractor in the window along with garden soaps and products. Ties in nicely with our Fourth Friday shopping theme- "Oh Madison" Celebrating Preservation Month! Tonight I will take a picture of this window display. Anyway, I bought 5 bars of soap here the other day. In fact, all my soap comes from this store now. Large bars are available to cut the amount that you would like as well- makes a great gift to visitors who stop by and stay overnight and you need a small bar of soap for them. I usually purchase the: Balmy Baby Bar (great for your hair), Honey and Almond, Lavender, Lemongrass. But this time, I tried the Gardener's Scrub. Wow- it has poppy seeds in it and makes for a great exfoliate. If you are in the area- you must stop in this store. I guarantee you will walk away with something. These are everyday products that we all need.

Window Display Photos

My first thought was to make sure I included interior photos of each store in the downtown. I think the window displays for many stores are more interesting! Those that do a good job, know how to invite their customers in. The windows that carry the Fourth Friday Art and Shop Hop themes help to bring about a continuity as well. So, I will make sure that I shoot a photo of the product I purchase, and then one example of the store's window display.

Pizza Kingdom- Corner of Cragmont and Main

This is a new restaurant in downtown Madison on the corner of Main Street and Cragmont. I was so happy to see this building fill again with a new business after sitting vacant! Pizza Kingdom has a variety of pizzas and offers a pizza buffet for lunch each day. Last night we tried both a 14" pizza with pepperoni and onions and the Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza. The Chicken Ranch was to die for! If you like white pizza- you just have to try! I don't recall that I did see posted hours, but their phone number is 812-274-2500. They have sit in dining, pick up or delivery services too!

In talking with the owner, his family owns another Pizza Kingdom in Seymour.

Discovering Madison, IN

I am beginning this blog for three reasons. 1) I want to create an avenue of discussion for the promotion of the downtown businesses in Madison, IN, 2) Provide readers the chance to discover what is available in Madison, and 3) Look at what is really needed to make the downtown a better and unique place to live and shop. This will be a journal so to speak, a dialogue with those of you out there that have visited Madison or live in Madison, a critique of what is offered.

So from this time forward- A business will be highlighted by me (at least one per week) with all its unique qualities. This author will visit the business, purchase something and tell you about it and what the merchant had to offer in their store or restaurant. Your comments are welcomed along the way.