Business Stories Tuesday, November 29, 2005     Everything Indiana owner and Windermere resident Teresa Downham. Just in Time, Baskets of Hoosier Pride By Lauren Fitzpatrick Contributing Editor This holiday season, Teresa Downham, owner of Everything Indiana, is prepared for a sneak attack from the caramel thief. However, last year, she was caught off guard. Teresa creates gift baskets filled with products made exclusively in Indiana, and caramels are a favorite product of her 3 ½ year old son, Josh (a.k.a. the elusive caramel thief). “I had probably 40 or 50 baskets lined up in the basement, ready to go,” remembers Teresa. “I couldn’t find Josh that evening.” Mother’s intuition told Teresa that her son could probably be found where the candy was. “What he had done was go through all of the baskets and pick out caramels. He picked one out of each basket, so we wouldn’t notice,” said Teresa. “He then hid over by the furnace, crouched down, eating the caramels.” Caramels are only one of the many coveted items included in the Everything Indiana gift baskets. Along with gourmet chocolates, salsa, jam, popcorn and more food items, Teresa has recently added CDs by local musicians and books by Indiana authors. “We are using Hoosier vendors and suppliers, and all of the products are Indiana-made,” says Teresa.. “I have probably 35 different suppliers, and they all have a unique story.” Every basket is accompanied with an informative brochure which details the history of each individual item. “For example,” says Teresa, “I am carrying a shag bark hickory syrup made in Trafalgar. The couple who makes it was felling trees on their property, and a little old man appeared asking for some wood.” Although this man had no money, he offered the couple a trade. “He gave them an old family recipe that told how to make syrup from the bark of a hickory tree. Not the sap, but the bark,” says Teresa. “They were skeptical, but took it, and they made it, and it is the greatest syrup. It tastes fabulous.” The concept for Everything Indiana was formed several years ago, when Teresa and her husband were teased by east coast friends about their move back to Indiana from the east coast. “They had never been to Indiana, and I guess they pictured us in the middle of this cornfield,” says Teresa. So she showed them what they were missing out on, packing a box full of Indiana products and shipping it out east. “Then my husband said, ‘You know, that would be a neat business, to go around and find those little companies all over the state who make the great stuff that you can’t find at the grocery store.’” Several years later, Everything Indiana was born. “My friends on the east coast are very surprised that the little box I sent to them has evolved into this.” “People don’t realize how much Indiana has to offer,” says Teresa. “I really missed the Midwestern values when I was away.” Creating the baskets and researching new products brings her into contact with local history on a regular basis. “It’s fun to meet these people and talk to them. Everyone is so nice. It’s true. People really are nicer here.” Customers can choose from several prearranged baskets with varying themes, or customize their own. Everything Indiana can ship your baskets anywhere in the United States. Pick out your holiday baskets at www.everythingindiana.com, or call 679-5893 for more information.