Chozen Designs helps customers brand their business or organization through apparel, promotional products, and signage.  They offer screen printing, embroidery, and a variety of services including custom designs and online stores. Their storefront enables customers to look at the variety of items and styles they offer, from corporate wear to high-vis to comfy clothing, and try it on before purchasing. Chozen also stocks a variety of school spirit wear for all Ripley County schools including South Ripley, Milan, Jac-Cen-Del & Batesville.

Chozen prides themselves on excellent customer service. They work one-on-one with customers and make things as easy as possible to get them what they want.  They hope that satisfied customers keep coming back and send referrals, as that is the best compliment they can receive!

Chozen Designs was already established in Versailles when Carrie McNew purchased it in June 2019. The business relocated two years ago but stayed in the town of Versailles because their roots were here. It was important to them to stay and help build commerce in Versailles. Carrie noted when someone comes from outside Ripley County to pick up an order, they may stop at one of our many fine local restaurants for lunch or grab a coffee, which helps grow the local economy. Carrie wants to pull people to Versailles to see what this little town offers, which is growing every day!

Carrie has high praise for her employees, noting they are the backbone of the business. Penny, Heather, Hannah, Hayden and Crystal are top notch, and she is so proud of what they bring to Chozen to make it a very special place.  They work hard but also enjoy what they do and have fun!

Carrie is very proud of the products Chozen produces and hopes anyone who has not yet been in stops by during the holidays or in the new year!  Customers can call 812-689-3370, email [email protected], and stop in M-F from 9-5 pm at 1182 S Ripley Estates Dr.  Saturday hours are available by appointment. They are also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Chozen Designs is a Diamond Sponsor of Main Street Versailles.

Jeff Hafft & Son Contracting & Construction was established in Versailles in the 1990s by Jeff & Karen Hafft. Jeff had been building homes in the area since the 1970s, later partnering with Barney Adams before going out on his own. Karen is a part-owner in Halcomb Home Center, which facilitates great service, as well as access to the best materials and latest designs for the contracting firm. After working under Jeff fulltime for eight years, Riley Hafft, and his wife, Adriana, are taking over the business at the end of 2023.

The company builds new custom homes, as well as completing additions and renovations. One of the most well-known projects the company has worked on is the development of the Harvest Ridge subdivision on the south edge of town.
Jeff Hafft & Son Contracting & Construction prides itself in quality work and excellent service. The company uses quality building materials and employees are trained in carpentry to ensure jobs are done right. Riley is quick to note that he will always answer his phone. The company is fully insured, as are all subcontractors, so homeowners can rest easy throughout the project.

Over the next year, they’ll be building a couple houses in the area and completing the renovation of The Tanglewood Hotel on the Versailles square.
Contact Riley Hafft at 812-621-7345 or [email protected] to discuss your upcoming project.
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Jeff Hafft & Son Contracting & Construction is a Diamond Sponsor of Main Street Versailles.

Rustic Creations offers custom carpentry, woodworking, and other construction services.  Based in Pleasant, Indiana, they custom do everything from handmade cabinetry in full custom kitchens, to tables and furniture, to interior and exterior doors, to outdoor structures, to historic barn restoration.  If you can dream it, they want to build it! 
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The company focuses on personal relationships to bring a customer’s ideas to fruition.  Owner Jordan Hoover says his goal is to bring the idea you have in your mind to life.  Each project is customized, and the process is a personal experience, as opposed to going to a box store and buying off the shelf.  If you can buy it at Lowe’s, he doesn’t want to make it.

Jordan chose to start his business here based on the opportunity available.  The area has great people living here, there’s proximity to three major cities, and there are several historic towns in the area with custom restoration needs. 

Rustic Creations is currently building a new shop that will open in November, doubling their production size.  They are increasing their manufacturing equipment, such as door-making equipment and other woodworking equipment.  This will lower lead times and enable them to serve customers more quickly.  In addition to notable area projects like the Holdsworth Entertainment Pavilion, the company is currently doing some work for Kat Von D at her new home in Vevay.

If you have a project in mind, call or text Jordan at 574-349-8156 to schedule an appointment to discuss.  

Rustic Creations is  Diamond Sponsor of Main Street Versailles.

Eye Care Group, with offices in Madison, Vevay, North Vernon, and Seymour, offers comprehensive eye exams and services for the region.  The practice was founded by Drs. Tom and Maggie Lisle, after both had worked in other optometry offices for many years.  They started their practice with the purpose statement of, “To provide quality eye care and thus enhance the gift of sight, one patient at a time,” and aim to take care of their patients in they way they want to be cared for. 

While they focus on eye health, Dr. Tom noted that they are very whole-patient oriented, as the eyes are the window into the vascular system and can provide early indicators of systemic diseases, such as diabetes and high cholesterol.  The six optometrists in the practice partner closely with eye specialists and surgeons, such as Dr. Pugh, Dr. Yunker, and Dr. Jeremy Clark, and even offer services such as glaucoma treatment, and post-cataract laser treatment in-house so patients don’t have to travel to the city to get that care.  Dr. Tom credits his amazing staff with providing patients with great care.

The Eye Care Group just recently completed vision screenings at the schools in the counties they serve, including South Ripley.  They are excited to currently have an optometry student completing a rotation with them as part of their education training.  They feel honored to have been vetted and selected as the doctors to guide future optometrist’s skill development. 

To learn more about Eye Care Group or to book an appointment, visit their website at www.ecg2020.com or call 812-265-6222.  You are also invited to their upcoming Trunk Show on November 1 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, where their major frame vendors – Ray Ban, Silhouette, and Kate Spade – will have trunks full of the latest frames and offer a 30% discount on a complete pair of glasses.  This is a great opportunity to check out their Madison office at 2580 Michigan Road, meet the staff, and get a new pair of fashionable and functional glasses.

Eye Care Group is a Diamond Sponsor of Main Street Versailles.

​The Tyson Fund was established by Mr. James Tyson to help relieve the financial burden of the citizens of the Town of Versailles.  Mr. Tyson was raised in Versailles and made his fortune by becoming the first investor in Walgreen Drug Company. Mr. Walgreen lived in the same Chicago boarding house as Tyson and wanted to open a second drug store.  Tyson loaned Walgreen the money to do so, and the drug store chain was born.  The Tyson Fund was started in 1930 with 18,000 shares of Walgreens stock.  Today, the fund is a diversified portfolio managed by JP Morgan worth $20 million.  Since 1931, the fund has distributed $24 million dollars to the Town of Versailles and organizations in Versailles that meet Mr. Tyson’s criteria for funding. 
In addition to establishing the fund, Tyson built the Tyson School, Tyson Library, and Tyson Methodist Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The church’s architecture features styles Tyson saw in his many trips abroad and is full of biblical symbolism.  The Tyson Library is the only private library in the state of Indiana, as its funding comes from the Tyson Fund and other grant funding rather than from taxes.  Versailles also had public waterworks well ahead of other small towns because Tyson built the water and sewer systems. 
Tyson’s forethought in establishing a fund to benefit his town has had an incredible impact on Versailles’ infrastructure, organizations, and citizens.  Numerous projects have been supported and enabled by the fund, such as new water lines, sewer system upgrades, road improvements, the sports complex, playgrounds, and more without being a tax burden on the citizens of Versailles.  Additionally, organizations in Versailles have been able to improve quality of life for citizens through the support of the Tyson Fund.  The fund is administered by a Board of Trustees. 
Applications for the fund are accepted each July and awards are made on James Tyson’s birthday, September 14th, at the Tyson Methodist Church.  Residents of the town are encouraged to come to the birthday celebration and awards to be aware of, vote on, and appreciate the projects the fund supports.  

The Tyson Fund is a Lead Sponsor of Main Street Versailles.

If you've driven around town lately, you may have noticed some new artwork!  Thanks to a Large Grant from the Ripley County Community Foundation, we had wraps installed on the traffic signal boxes at the intersections of US 50 and 421 featuring paintings by local artist, Debi Black.  The wraps pay homage to our community and history, featuring pumpkins in honor of the Pumpkin Show, our famous annual festival, and a produce-laden farm truck, honoring our agricultural roots.  We're excited to add this beautiful artwork to our busiest areas of town.  Thank you to Ripley County Community Foundation for making this project possible!  Take a drive and check them out!

We're so excited to honor Mr. & Mrs. Holdsworth, beloved music teachers at South Ripley Schools for over 30 years, with a permanent live entertainment structure through CreatINg Places, a program of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.  We have from May 9 - July 10, 2022 to raise $50,000 that will be matched by IHCDA when we meet our goal.  Learn more and donate here: www.patronicity.com/holdsworth.  Thanks for supporting our community!

Versailles... home of the Pumpkin Show, the Raiders, the Versailles State Park, of Jim Tyson, of beautiful architecture and natural beauty.  Home.  Our hometown.  Versailles has a rich history and a bright future.  Even for those who have moved away, it's still "home." This blog aims to tell those stories.  Tales from 50 years ago or just last year, from people who moved away and those who live here.  Stories of the events and people who make our town special.   

If you have a story to share, please email it to us at [email protected].  Your story will be attributed to you when posted on the blog.