Kokomo Magazine May 2022

MAGAZINE

MAY 2022

Bou�ique Experience

ANNMARIE’S BOUTIQUE OWNER LOVES HER LIFE AND CAREER

FOR RENT AMERICAN TOOL & PARTY RENTAL CELEBRATES MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN BUSINESS FLOOR CENTRAL OPTIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT AT HOCHSTEDLER FLOORCOVERING

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A TOWNE POST NETWORK PUBLICATION

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IN THIS ISSUE

MAY 2022

PUBLISHER KIM SENKUS kim@townepost.com 317.501.1743

FOUNDER/CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com 317.496.3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com 317.810.0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT JOSH BROWN

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FOR RENT

BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

MAY WORD SEARCH PUZZLE

FLOOR CENTRAL

FOR THE MOMS

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TOP IT OFF

MADISON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ADOPTABLE PETS

American Tool & Party Rental Celebrates More Than Three Decades in Business

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Annmarie’s Boutique Owner Loves Her Life and Career

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Options and Customer Service Are at the Forefront at Hochstedler Floorcovering

An Open Letter to All the Moms This Mother’s Day

CREATIVE DIRECTORS TONI EADS VAL HACKER GRAPHIC DESIGNER ROBBY BERRY COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS

Quick Cup Celebrates 15 Years in Business

REAL-TIME ANALYTICS Scan the QR code to see this magazine’s real-time reach and distribution numbers.

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FOR RENT

AMERICAN TOOL & PARTY RENTAL CELEBRATES MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN BUSINESS Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Heather Johnson, co-owner of American Tool & Party Rental in Kokomo, says she has enjoyed working in the rental industry.

Johnson and her brothers grew up around the rental business their parents started in Logansport on East Market Street. The siblings now own that business and the Kokomo company.

The stores became a key part of Johnson’s life, and she says both businesses have a steady flow of regular and loyal customers.

American Tool & Party Rental officially started in 1990.

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Johnson believes the success of the businesses is due to three reasons.

“It’s been successful through hard work, dedicated employees and great customers,” Johnson says.

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Longtime customers also know the company will have what they are looking for. Johnson says many contractors have been happy finding the tools they need for their various construction and homerepair businesses.

“Our tool rental side of the business has a wide array of rental equipment,” Johnson says.

This includes air compressors, air tools, backhoes and attachments, compaction equipment, carpet tools, concrete equipment, fans and blowers, floor sanders, and polishers.

“We also have forklifts, generators, heaters, lawn and garden equipment, mini excavators and attachments, plumbing equipment, power tools, pressure washers, tractors and attachments, trailers, welders and generators, and many other items,” she says.

The party rental portion of the business has also been very successful.

“We have moonwalks, risers, tents, linens and china,” Johnson says. “We also have equipment for both indoor

8 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

and outdoor functions. We also rent carnival games, popcorn machines, tables, archways, chairs and tablecloths. We offer several different party rental supplies including audio-visual equipment, a bar and beverages, candelabra, carnival equipment, casino equipment, flatware, glassware, exhibition equipment, interactive games and obstacle courses.

We also have staging, serving items and several different event items.”

“To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.”

Johnson notes that the seasons play a major role in what customers are looking for.

“When the ground is not frozen and the weather is decent, it opens the door to working and enjoying the great outdoors,” Johnson says. “We don’t rent many moonwalks for outdoor use in the winter.”

Johnson adds that customers have enjoyed perusing the many options they have for both tools and party equipment.

They also like having the option to order equipment early to prepare for parties and events ahead of time.

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“Both our tool and party rental divisions take reservations, and our website is quite handy,” Johnson says.

Johnson says she is regularly inspired by the people in Kokomo.

“I love Kokomo and the surrounding communities,” Johnson says. “It’s a great place to work and live.”

For more info on American Tool & Party Rental, located at 3121 South Lafountain Street in Kokomo, call 765-453-6020 or visit americantoolandpartyrental.com.

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Carmella Walters, Greg Hochstedler, Jessica Pearson

FLOOR CENTRAL

OPTIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT AT HOCHSTEDLER FLOORCOVERING his wife Shirley sold the store to Greg and Carmella in 2018.

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

The brother-and-sister team of Greg Hochstedler and Carmella Walters are at the helm of Hochstedler Floorcovering, a family business started in 1998. When their father, Verl Hochstedler, retired three years ago, he had accumulated more than 50 years of experience in the flooring industry. Verl and

“Dad’s been installing flooring since the ‘60s,” Greg Hochstedler says. “He also had a flooring store in downtown Kokomo in the ‘70s. The flooring business has always been part of our lives. We have grown up with it. We are a retail store that caters to individuals, but we also do a large amount

1/4 PAGE HORIZONTAL (765) 459-7109 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / 13

1417 E Lincoln Rd Kokomo, IN

of our work commercially. We work with hospitals and schools. Our products include every kind of flooring - carpet, sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl and laminate, as well as ceramic and porcelain tiles. Also carried is engineered and solid wood.”

Customers can make an appointment to visit the showroom to ensure individual attention, but it’s not necessary as walk-ins are welcome. Products from Mannington, Shaw, Mohawk, Patcraft, Teknoflor and many others can be viewed. Hochstedler’s daughter, Jessica Pearson, is very hands-on with all the products.

Many local businesses such as banks, car dealerships, churches, schools, restaurants and medical facilities have worked with Hochstedler Floorcovering. They choose from a large inventory of commercial carpet,

heat-weld sheet vinyl, vinyl planks and tiles, water resistant and can hold up well in highas well as rubber and porcelain tile. Staff traffic areas. Hardwood continues to be the members can install all the products offered. most popular traditional standard.

“We have a full crew of people who install,” Hochstedler says. “We also can call up two additional crews from individuals who sub for us. We start getting really busy in the spring and we do a lot of school work during the summer. Lately a lot of people are remodeling their bathrooms and showers.

The trend seems to be pulling out tubs and putting in showers. The tile they choose is bigger than in the past - 1’x2’ is the most popular, but some people go with tile that is even bigger than that.”

For customers who need flooring in a hurry, the store has some products already in stock that don’t need to be ordered. Some Shaw and Mohawk styles such as short frieze carpet and short plush carpet are available.

Plus, carpet remnants and rolls of vinyl can be purchased.

Hochstedler says many people continue to enjoy having carpet in bedrooms, but are installing luxury vinyl plank in many areas of their houses. They especially like that it is

Hochstedler Floorcovering is located at 1301 East Morgan Street in Kokomo. Call them at 765-868-9080, and visit their website at hochstedlerfloorcovering.com.

hochstedlerfloorcovering.com

“Kokomo is our home and where we grew up,” Hochstedler says. “I lived outside of Kokomo for a while but I came back. It’s the people we know, and family. It’s just home to us.”

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Annmarie Beard

Bou�ique Experience

ANNMARIE’S BOUTIQUE OWNER LOVES HER LIFE AND CAREER

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

Some people don’t settle into retirement the way others do. For Annmarie Beard, she decided to start a whole new chapter of life. The original plan was to make jewelry, T-shirts and hair bows to sell at craft shows, but one day local shop owners suggested that she open her own boutique.

Beard’s eyes widened at the thought. Her grandparents used to own a Ben Franklin store, and as a little girl she would go into the store to cut fabric and weigh candy.

“I think that’s where my spark for retail came from,” Beard says.

She opened Annmarie’s Boutique, initially renting a tiny, 450-square-foot room in Tipton. When a bigger store became available, she moved to that location.

“The Tipton store has done really well, but I live in Kokomo and I longed to bring that boutique to my hometown,” Beard says.

Last year she and her husband Tim bought the old Blye’s bridal shop, which had been a staple in downtown Kokomo since the 1960s. It required some TLC, but the pair was up for the challenge. They started by refurbishing the downstairs and opened Annmarie’s in June of 2021.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful having two 16 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

boutiques,” Beard says.

On the upper level, they took all the floors down to the original 1885 flooring and took the plaster off the walls to expose the bricks.

She recently opened the second story, which she named The Upper Level Downtown.

It’s an event space that the public can rent for graduation or birthday parties, bridal or baby showers, micro-weddings, and photo shoots. The space is available for all-day rental for $400, or half-day rental for $200.

Photographers can rent it out for 30-minute time slots for $25, which they appreciate since the big, beautiful windows let in lots of natural light.

“It’s a neat-looking space with a vintage style, modern accents and crystal chandeliers,” Beard says. “It has lounge space up front with couches, chairs, lots of plants and macramé. It’s a fun, comfortable bohemian kind of space.”

Recently a group of women came into Annmarie’s to shop, then went upstairs for a yoga class. The store and event space pair nicely for functions like bridal showers, as guests can shop at the boutique and then head upstairs for the festivities.

When Beard revamped the upstairs, her vision was to make it an affordable space for the people of Kokomo and surrounding communities.

“There are some beautiful event centers in Kokomo but they’re pricey,” Beard says.

“I’m all about affordability.”

This is why her boutique items are reasonably priced. When she first opened, she was sending her designs to a girl who made her T-shirts, charging Beard $14 to $16 per shirt. After a while, Beard decided to cut out the middle man by making her own. That means she can now sell her T-shirts for $16 to $20. Her bestselling custom tee says, “She grew up in an Indiana town.”

“We sell a lot of Indiana-based things,” Beard says. She also sells “Boy Mom” and “Girl Mom” T-shirts, and tie-dyes that say, “Make love, not war” and “Teach peace.”

Because prices are so affordable,

merchandise goes quickly. As a result, every day there is new merchandise on the shelves, including purses, hats, jewelry, sandals and a small selection of prom dresses, none of which costs more than $99.

“A lot of people can’t afford a $400 dress to

wear for just two or three hours,” Beard says.

The clothing Beard sells is trendy and suits people of all ages.

“My oldest customer is nearly 100 years old, and she comes in with her daughter and

The Upper Level Small Events Venue

ANNMARIES Parties and Events Weddings and Receptions Upstairs from AnnMaries www.theupperleveldowntown.com

219 N Main St, Kokomo • 765-865-8940 • Mon - Fri 10-5 Sat 10-4 TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / 17

“Our paths crossed at just the right time, granddaughter to shop,” says Beard, who carries a variety of sizes, making sure to have though he often says, ‘We could have been together all these years if you had just kissed plenty of options for curvy women. me in high school!’” Beard says.

Beard’s favorite part of owning Annmarie’s is the camaraderie of running a small business When they wed, their wedding vows stated, that supports other small businesses.

“In life, love and business, we are partners.”

“I can’t imagine not doing this, so I’ll do it for as long as I possibly can,” she says.

Several years ago Beard battled breast cancer. Following surgery, she returned to work within a week because she missed it so much.

He cooks breakfast and dinner, takes care of “I said, ‘I can walk and talk and use my T-rex the home and the dogs, and is her biggest fan. arms,’ ” Beard says with a chuckle. “I just wanted to be at work because being here is like having a vacation that never ends. I love it.”

“He’s so supportive of the business and Speaking of success, she credits her husband’s anything I need,” Beard says. “It’s so nice to Annmarie’s Boutique is located at 219 unwavering support for helping her prosper. have a supportive partner.”

North Main Street in Kokomo. For more They have known each other since high Beard, who turns 64 in May, has no plans to information, call 765-865-8940 or find them school, when they were friends but never slow down. on Facebook. dated. They reconnected 10 years ago.

“I’ve always had this mantra of, ‘If you shine, I shine,’” Beard says. “We all help one another out so we succeed.”

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License

For the Moms

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL THE MOMS THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Writer / Abigail Hake Photography Provided

Making dinner and catching up on the events of the day face-toface with the family…

From one momma to another…

I see you. We see you.

You put on a pretty face - makeup or not - and make sure everyone is taken care of ahead of yourself. You get up early and stay up late to make sure everything is prepped and ready for the next day. You grab a coffee to have an extra feeling of awareness to tackle all the projects that lie ahead for you and the family. You might not have sat down since 5 a.m. this morning. We see you.

Messy buns, old leggings with a hole in them…

You are the house manager.

Taking teachers’ calls…

You are the chauffeur.

Driving your kids to school because they missed the bus and spilling coffee all over yourself on the way there…

You are the cook.

I just wanted to let you know that you are amazing.

You are loved, beautiful and doing just fine.

Making all the performances and play dates…

You are the virtual assistant.

Driving to and from school sports or sleepovers…

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Mothers are God’s gift to Mankind.

What other gifts has God given to us?

Visit us and let us get to know you!

20 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com

Women’s Ministry

You are the knower of all things about everyone in the house.

You are the master of ceremonies.

And you tackle all these things with grace and kindness.

You are the most magical creature on this earth. You make everything twinkle. You make even the smallest gestures seem larger than life. You have a way of making gray skies shine with rainbows. You create magical moments whenever you are around with things like blanket forts, staring at the ceiling or the stars, sitting by the bonfire, sharing old stories of your past, your tiny winks, and so much more.

Even just sitting around is better with you there.

You are a shoulder to cry on. You listen and cry with them. You always do so much for others and keep your family and household running strong. You make everything better even when that’s a hard feat. As stated above, you are magic. Even when you feel down and drained like

1/2 PAGE (ISLAND)

TownePost.com / MAY 2022 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / 21

you can’t go on anymore, you can and you do. You have the strength of a lion and honestly, we know you can do just about anything.

But remember, they need you. They need a healthy you. So make sure to take time for yourself. It’s important. Take any quiet time you can, even if that’s sitting in a quiet closet for five minutes to refresh. Make a little time for you. Everything you are taking care of day in and day out is exhausting and draining, so make sure to take time to refresh your soul at times too. Do it. Set time on the calendar where you are kid-free and partner-free.

They’ll understand.

Right now love might be shown to you with slobbery kisses, monster hugs, giant squeezes or even sneezing in your face, but it’ll change and grow over time. The love for you is larger than anyone can quantify. Those in your life know only half the things you do on a daily basis and they can’t even imagine the things running through your head every day.

They’d be lost without you and if they don’t know that now, they will someday.

It might not be tomorrow, but don’t worry, it’ll come.

So keep up the great work. You are doing amazing.

1/2 PAGE (ISLAND)

Stay present - remember, present over perfect.

They love you for you, and probably don’t mind a messy house, or eating out now and then.

They just want to be around you.

You are enough. You are just what they need.

You are the greatest momma they know!

You got this, momma!

Happy Mother’s Day! 22 / KOKOMO MAGAZINE / MAY 2022 / TownePost.com