Best Friends Shake Up Bourbon Country with Downtown Mercantile
Just before their 40th birthdays, childhood best friends Dawn Bogie and Tamara Smith had the idea to take their love of entertaining and gifts and turn it into a business. The two had noticed a decline in downtown Lawrenceburg and wanted to provide a service for their community. In 2015, Dawn and Tamara opened Sweet Mash Southern Goods.
A short drive from several distilleries, Sweet Mash complements the heart of bourbon country with products primarily from Kentucky vendors including barware, home goods and apparel.
“We are your personal shoppers. A customer can call in, have us shop, wrap and deliver the items for them,” said Dawn.
Tamara and Dawn delight in satisfying shopper needs, especially with last minute gifts. Additionally, Sweet Mash offers corporate gift services, event gifts or bulk ordering.
Locals are making their way downtown more often – to shop or eat – and Sweet Mash loves working with the townspeople. Tourists make their way to downtown Lawrenceburg while traveling the bourbon trail, bringing new customers into the boutique regularly.
“There is still a lot of growth potential in Lawrenceburg,” said Tamara. “We love to see people that have moved or left for college return to be surprised at the growth and the businesses that have opened, especially downtown.
“You get to own your successes as well as your failures,” said Dawn, when asked what she loves about owning a small business.
Sweet Mash Southern Goods is located at 101 South Main Street in Lawrenceburg.
