Fort Wayne boasts a lovely blend of unique surrounding neighborhoods, communities and suburbs, each with their own flair and flavor. Downtown gets a lot of attention, but shopping small and local means more than sticking to those beloved 99 blocks of the city’s core. From tasting new treats and working on your fitness to feathering your nest or trying new looks, there’s always more to discover when venturing off any beaten path. Take a detour from your regular routes and shop these retailers farther afield.

Georgetown

Sweets So Geek makes chocolatey treats even more fun with goodies inspired by Star Wars, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, all the favorite superheroes, video games and more. They create one-of-a-kind, bespoke, as elaborate as you can dream up cakes and other desserts that taste as good as they look. What was once a hobby for owners Chad and Heather Seewald, Sweets So Geek has been a full-time gig for the couple for years, growing into a retail bakery, first located on North Anthony, that also hosts fun community events like free outdoor movies, scavenger hunts and role-playing activities. 6722 E. State Boulevard, 260.312.5758, sweetssogeek.com

Dupont

Sugar Love Boutique is one of Fort Wayne’s modern retail trailblazers, with a strong e-commerce business and a national social media presence. The generously sized boutique stocks of the moment pieces for women of all ages. Sugar Love’s trendy collections include casual, everyday clothing like graphic sweatshirts and denim to night-out appropriate jumpsuits and dresses. Think funky and soft band T-shirts, denim jackets, both classic and reimagined, floaty kimonos, joggers and leggings, as well as dresses of all lengths. The boutique’s range of accessories, shoes, jewelry and gift items make this a popular one-stop style spot. 538 E. Dupont Road, 260.267.9601, sugarloveboutique.com

Coventry

Locally owned and operated Fleet Feet Fort Wayne’s mission is to provide a superior shoe fit for athletes of all abilities and levels, including runners, walkers and other fitness devotees. Their focus is on exemplary customer service with trained experts on staff to ensure each client is paired with their perfect shoe, using cutting-edge technology and the staff’s expertise. Shoe brands include Hoka One, Brooks, New Balance, Asics, Nike and Mizuno. The shop also stocks socks and insoles, energy foods and drinks, safety lights and reflective gear, sport-focused skincare, as well as braces and foam rollers. In addition to the retail store, Fleet Feet Fort Wayne aims to grow the local running and walking communities with regular group activities, as well as educational resources and opportunities to help customers work toward their individual fitness goals. 5661 Coventry Lane, 260.432.3270, fleetfeet.com

Jefferson Pointe

GoodMrkt is the latest retail destination to call Fort Wayne’s signature open-air shopping mall home. The concept store is the latest venture of Vera Bradley, and the inventory is made up of goods created by small, independent brands with purposeful endeavors to help positively change the world. Whether helping build fresh-water wells in emerging countries, providing creative career opportunities for marginalized women or assisting those with mental health issues, each brand works with its mission in mind. The products are expertly curated, beautiful and high quality and the retail space is welcoming and bright. Shoppers will find thoughtful pieces for women, men, children and home, and gain insight and education into each product with every visit, thanks to QR codes that go behind the scenes as well as knowledgeable staff. Be on the lookout for the store’s founder in the MRKT sign, which lights up when a founder is on location. 4130 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite I-3, 260.960.6758, agoodMRKT.com

North Anthony

Fae’s Cabinet is a store full of wonder and delight, packed with a dizzying range of merchandise. Shop crystals and jewelry, buttons, pins and keychains, curiosities like taxidermy and animal bones, sage and incense bundles, unique books, candles and soaps, locally made pottery, art and myriad other funky gifts and treats. Signature items of the moment include 3D printed human skull planters, shimmering labradorite cabochons and rainbow crystal suncatchers. The shop offers something new with every visit and customers find surprises around every corner of the new, larger space. 3210 Crescent Avenue, 567.259.8571, faescabinet.com

Wells Street

Stepping into Honey Plant instantly transports shoppers into a lush tangle of fresh greenery. The popular plant shop offers an ever-changing array of houseplants, such as cacti and succulents, air plants, ferns and snake plants, as well as rare flora including specific species of monstera, philodendron and hoya. The cheery shop also sells a lovely selection of containers for said plants, many locally made by Fort Wayne artisans, fertilizers and other supplies to help thumbs from black to green take care of their plant babies at home. Owners Cassandra and Logan Braman are always on hand to help answer questions or advise shoppers, so they leave with the most appropriate plant for their level of interest and skill as well as their home lighting situation. The Honey Plant website also features videos to help customers on their personal plant journeys. 1436 N. Wells Street, 765.346.2896, shophoneyplant.com

46807

Antonuccio’s Italian Market is one of the jewels of the ’07 neighborhood. The airy space is loaded with all manner of culinary delights. With imported pantry goods (including a massive selection of pasta), a selection of high-quality cooking supplies, premium olive oils and bottles of vinegar, as well as fresh produce, baked goods, ready-to-eat salads and made-to-order paninis and charcuterie boards, there is something for every palette at this market. Kids can sink their hands into accessible glass jars of candies to spend their allowance on, while adults choose from an expertly curated selection of wine. The seasonal outdoor patio is a welcome space for friends and neighbors to share a bite or beverage. The market also specializes in creating bespoke gift baskets of their Italian treasures sure to delight any lucky recipient. 4011 S. Wayne Avenue, 260.999.6973, antonuccios.com

Huntertown

Vivi Sue stocks the latest trends, as well as many classics, in clothing and accessories for women. Founded in 2018 as The Local, the shop’s new name pays tribute to owner Meg Oliphant’s baby daughter, Vivi, and her mother, Sue, two females who inspire her to continuously follow her dreams. Vivi Sue features clothing to help women of all ages and sizes look and feel their best. The racks are full of day dresses, blouses, cami tops, denim jackets and jeans, graphic T-shirts and more. The shop also sells jewelry, shoes, sunnies and hats, as well as lifestyle and gift items like boat totes, novelty drinkware, koozies, planners and some party supplies. With the name change will also come a location change soon, so stay tuned! 14411 Lima Road, shopvivisue.com

Berne

LastingLite Emporium in the heart of picturesque Berne is a retail fixture of the rural town and a big draw to their shopping district. Developed in 1999, the LastingLite electric candle has been popular nationwide due to its unique design and interchangeable system of wax sleeves and electric bases. Designs run the gamut from classic florals to well-known quotes to iconic imagery. In addition to their electric candles, the shop also sells home decor and entertaining pieces, unique pantry dry goods, gifts for baby and child, as well as Swiss souvenirs, a nod to the town’s strong Swiss heritage. 113 W. Main Street, Berne, 260.589.5924, lastingliteemporium.com

Waynedale

Bobick’s Golf Headquarters has been the city’s go-to golf emporium for 45 years and counting. The large showroom is packed with everything any golfer could ever need or want. From clubs and bags to shoes and gloves, and everything in between, Bobick’s offers a wide selection thanks to a massive variety of world-class brands and products. Bobick’s also features tech gadgets to help improve any golfer’s game including GPS devices, Theragun massagers, rangefinders and watches, as well as cleat and club cleaning solutions. They also sell athletic clothing for women and men, for on the green and off. In addition to the retail shop, Bobick’s offers a comprehensive menu of activities and services, including their well-known driving range, golf lessons, custom fitting sessions, an indoor golf simulator and club repair. 5200 Bluffton Road, 260.747.4404, bobicksgolf.com

New Haven

Lane 201 stocks a variety of on-trend, fashion-forward women’s clothing that spans classic looks for day to au courant weekend wear. Pieces are affordably priced and seasonal looks drop almost daily. The boutique’s athleisure department boasts legging and sports bras in fun, colorful prints and elevated neutrals. Accessories are well represented with dainty jewelry, wide-brim hats and beanies, plus handbags and clutches, with sandals, boots and slides rounding out the category. 510 Broadway Street, New Haven, 260.444.9147, lane201.com

Roanoke

Paper Moon is the charming general store in the charming town of Roanoke, stocking tasteful and fun gifts and goods from women, children and home. Women’s clothing and accessories include trendy jewelry made from piano wire, sunglasses and readers, breezy kimonos, dresses, tops and T-shirts. Children will delight in penny candy, games, toys and stuffed animals. Paper Moon also specializes in vintage and antique furniture on their second floor, with a detached barn across the street housing even more selection. Shoppers will also find gifts like candles, mugs, home decor accents and textiles like pillows and tea towels. Paper Moon also hosts fun shopping events and workshops, like their popular fairy garden terrarium class. After shopping, pop across the street to its sister location, Moose & Mollies, a cute coffee and lunch cafe serving espresso drinks, sandwiches and gelato. 188 2nd Street, Roanoke, 260.676.2020, facebook.com/papermoonroanoke