Discovering Little Golden Fox

Madison Main Street Program
Jul 28
3 min read

Downtown Madison Creative Studio

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

It’s always worthwhile to ask Cara Fox what’s new in her world. There’s always something groundbreaking going on at Little Golden Fox, Cara’s 14-year-old business located at 602 W. Main St.

“My wheels are always spinning,” says Cara.

Little Golden Fox defines itself as “the creative hub of historic Madison.” Crafters come to the store for supplies, but it’s also a place to gather for classes, workshops and group activity of the creative kind.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

In the past few months, such activities have taken place alongside major interior renovations. Cara has moved her business out of the front third of the building to make room for a project she endorses wholeheartedly: Growing Minds Farm Stop. That’s the name of Madison Consolidated Schools’ soon-to-open outlet for products from farms within a 200-mile radius.

Meanwhile, Cara has moved Little Golden Fox to what she calls the “middle third” of the 10,000 square foot building. The shop entrance is now on Vine Street.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

Shoppers will still find a wide array of fabric, gifts and other retail items. Cara has found that quilters are increasingly looking for particular fabric or quilt designers, such as Fancy That Design House, led by designer Stephanie Sliwinski.

Quilters make up a good part of her clientele. In Indiana, during the All Indiana Shop Hop, 5,500 quilters were traveling the state in May and June to visit as many of the 53 participating quilt shops as possible. “Quilters all day long … it just about killed me,” she smiles. The Little Golden Fox had 1,200 unique Shop Hop customers over that two-month event.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

“My demographic is not slowing its spending. They want good fabric,” says Cara.

Nevertheless, a few years ago a mentor asked her where she was making the most money. “For me, it’s classes, and that’s what brings me joy.” As a result, Cara has been steadily moving her focus from retail into the realm of experiences. She is herself a teacher for popular classes that she advertises through MadTix. Also, many classes are privately booked. She also hosts other educators and their classes. Likewise, she both organizes retreat workshops and hosts those retreats organized by others.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

The newly remodeled space in the mid-section of Cara’s building can accommodate two different classes simultaneously. When Farm Stop is fully operational, it will also have a large teaching space that can be connected to Little Golden Fox by barn doors.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

Growing Minds Farm Stop is being shepherded into existence by John Schutte and Lilly Cox. It is one of several Farm Stops in the U.S., but this is believed to be the first one of its kind to be student-run. From 15 to 20 students will work at Farm Stop, accepting products from farmers, seeing they are stored properly, displaying the merchandise and making sales. Farm Stop will also feature a coffee bar. More information about Growing Minds Farm Stop can be found on its Facebook page.

While Cara is excited about the new venture in the front of her building, she won’t be directly involved in its operation. She is leasing the space. Soon she will be making some changes to the façade of her building. Her plan is to install more historically accurate windows in the front.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

With her designer friend Lori Seibert of Snippets of Whimsey, she plans to paint the Vine Street side of her building, where Little Golden Fox has its entrance. That will serve as a reminder that Little Golden Fox is an inviting place for everyone’s creative ideas.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with the Madison Main Street Program

Little Golden Fox is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, but open to the public Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11-5; Sunday, 12-4; and Monday, 12-5. Contact Cara at 812-274-1080 or hello@thelittlegoldenfox.com.

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