Bloomington can feel overwhelming when you first arrive. Between campus, downtown, and the different neighborhoods, there is a lot to explore. But whether you are looking for a new place to study, shop for gifts, thrift clothes, or spend an afternoon with friends, Bloomington really does have something for everyone.
Here are some great locally owned shops to check out in Bloomington.
Bonne Fête
Located at 112 W. 6th St., Bonne Fête is a great spot for finding fun and somewhat odd gifts. From puzzles, books, stationary, and board games to funny little trinkets and decorations, you can spend quite a while exploring it all.
One of my favorite parts about bonne fête is the shop’s atmosphere. It’s bright, colorful and cheerful without being overwhelming. Every section of the store feels carefully put together, and you always notice something new each time you visit.
oak.
At 116 W. 6th St., oak. specializes in home décor with an emphasis on plants. If you are looking to add a little greenery to your space, this is definitely the place to go. The shop also has a café inside with a wide range of unique drinks you won’t find at a typical coffee shop.
oak. also hosts community events, ranging from succulent planting workshops to tarot card readings, making the store feel even more interactive and welcoming.
The Cat’s Closet
For great thrifted finds, The Cat’s Closet at 223 S. Pete Ellis Dr. is always worth a visit. The shop has a diverse range of vintage clothing and unique décor that can spruce up your dorm or apartment. From my experience the employees make the shop memorable; they always take the time to chat with customers and are some of the kindest people you will meet in Bloomington.
The Cat’s Closet doubles as a space where visitors can spend time with cats available for adoption, making it a must-stop shop for any cat lover in the city.
Homefield at Tracks
Right in the heart of Kirkwood, Homefield at Tracks is one of the best places to pick up IU merch and explore a selection of vinyl records that range in genre with a focus on indie and pop music. The store has unique design options for IU-themed clothing and accessories that you can't find at just any IU bookshop, with their specially designed Little 500 clothing collections always standing out.
The shop partners with Homefield Apparel, founded in 2016 by Tracks, a record store open since the late 1980s. Together, the two brands created Homefield at Tracks, which opened in August 2025.
Morgenstern Books & Café
Morgenstern Books & Café, located at 849 S. Auto Mall Rd., is one of the best bookstores in Bloomington. As Indiana’s largest independent bookstore, it offers a wide selection ranging from local authors to bestselling novels.
The shop doubles as a café, making it a great place to study, sit down with friends, or just enjoy coffee. Morgenstern Books & Café also hosts a variety of community events, including book clubs, author meet-ups and open poetry nights, making it a great place to visit on your bucket list.
Bloomington has a wide range of local shops that each offer something different but highlight the cities' creative culture. Whether it's your first time in Bloomington or have been here a while, these shops are a great way to try something new and support the local community.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 Orienter.
