The owner of Salt & Ash Market, a bath and body shop at the Factory Arts District, is opening a clothing boutique in downtown Irvington.
Wild Aster, named after the purple star-shaped weeds, will open Nov 28, on Small Business Saturday.
“It’s a sister store, not a twin,” said owner Ashton Boehman, 32.
Instead of handmade soaps, scrubs and lotion, Wild Aster will focus on size-inclusive clothes and accessories. Items will be priced under $100.
“I’m a plus-sized person myself and I don’t often find cute, boutique apparel that really fits me,” Boehman said. “We can’t all be on Ozempic, we have to have clothes for fat people too,” she said jokingly.
Eastside resident Chloe Whitis, 26, agrees. She said she can’t wait for what’s in store for Wild Aster. “There are not a lot of options for plus-size fashion in brick and mortar, so I am very excited for it,” she said.
In 2024, Boehman started carrying a few clothing items at Salt & Ash, when it was located in Fountain Square, and customers appreciated it.
“I think they were surprised we had so much apparel and that it was size inclusive. It kept growing from there and it became its own leg of Salt & Ash,” she said.
But Wild Aster will not be a run-of-the-mill store. It will have the same feeling as her flagship brand: kitschy, whimsical and handmade.
You are able to browse through casual pieces like sweaters and stretchy pants, and a few dresses for special occasions. Boehman said she also focuses on sourcing items from women-owned brands. Sizes range from small to 3XL.
“Some of the items will be a little trendy but not so trendy that you won’t be wearing them for years and years,” she said.
Wild Aster will also carry locally made accessories from brands like A Knot That Binds and Rose and Frankie Jewelry.
Boehman is from St. Meinrad, Indiana, and moved to Indianapolis in 2014 to study printmaking at Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis.
The crafter said she is excited to have a store in Irvington. The eastside neighborhood offers her a small-town vibe, despite being in a big city.
She likes that IndyGo’s Blue Line is under construction along East Washington Street and that there are walkable businesses like Hampton & Co. and The Med.
Adam Hampton, owner of Hampton & Co., is excited about the new businesses popping up in Irvington over the last couple of months. “Neon Veil at Paul’s, Sycamore Sewing Co., Wild Aster and a new pet supplies store — I am most looking forward to collaborating with the businesses on our annual events,” said Hampton, who’s had his store in Irvington for eight years.
“There are some really unique businesses and I wanted to be near there,” Boehman said. “I want to be that place (where) people go on a walk and always stop in to see what’s new. I want people to go back to going to stores and that spirit of discovery.”
And don’t miss her window displays, where she exerts a lot of her creative energy.
The storefront that Wild Aster will take over used to house Josephine’s, a local clothing store. Last December, a 68-year-old employee was killed during an attempted robbery.
Boehman said she knows the tragedy rocked the neighborhood. She’s hoping to bring “some positive energy into that space.”
“I have a very hopeful and optimistic, maybe naive look at the world and I want to … not erase what happened there but just honor that it was a woman’s boutique,” she said. “It was a space for people to go and feel confident, happy and I want to continue that.”
Laura Lea Sweney, owner of the Irvington Wellness Center on East Washington Street, called Wild Aster “a great addition to the neighborhood.”
“We’re so excited to have another Irvington business, owned by a woman, who is authentic and thoughtful and holding true to our roots,” Sweney said.
Wild Aster will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Boehman is looking to hire a retail sales associate. To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to hello@shopsaltandash.com
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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