When you step inside Flipping Creative Mindful Market, located at 8 Prospect Street in Ridgefield, you immediately feel it—a calm welcoming filled with warmth and intention. The air carries the subtle yet delicious scent of all-natural, hand-poured candles. The displays blend rustic industrial charm with botanical beauty. And, if you’re lucky, owner Heidi Bouz will greet you herself, ready to share the stories and the inspiration behind each piece in the store.
“People often tell me the shop feels magical and relaxing,” says Bouz. “I want them to slow down, feel at ease, and know that everything here was chosen with intention and care.”
Flipping Creative Mindful Market is more than a store—it’s a values-driven collective. Six women source and sell (although they also generously give away their fair share of) ethically sourced, artisan-made, and often one-of-a-kind pieces. Clothing, jewelry, furniture, art, collectibles, stationery, bedding, the list goes on and on and touches on a range of price points. Shoppers can find a $20 hand-painted pottery piece or invest in heirloom-quality furniture. “The important thing is that our products support, rather than exploit, people and the planet,” says Bouz.
The name Flipping Creative traces back to Bouz’s time living overseas. In Singapore, she began flipping furniture and creating abstract art, while at the same time becoming acutely aware of the environmental and human toll of global manufacturing. Frequent trips to Indonesia exposed her to the staggering reality of exported waste. “It’s something we are blind to,” says Bouz. “When we throw things away, the garbage has to go somewhere…and that’s often poor countries.” On the “flip” side, while living in Ireland, she became inspired by a culture that embraces environmental stewardship. Those experiences shaped the mission of her store: to offer beautiful, functional items that are ethically made and environmentally mindful.
Bouz moved to Ridgefield in June 2024 and within a month opened a small shop off Route 7 to “test the market.” She moved to the current larger location this past summer, which allowed her to realize her vision of collaborating with other women entrepreneurs in a supportive environment reminiscent of a collective she ran abroad.
Beyond retail, the market also hosts classes in the back studio focused on mindfulness, creativity, and sustainability—everything from furniture painting and collage-making to jewelry design and clothing upcycling. The schedule is posted on the shop’s website (flippingcreativemm.com).
Bouz also prioritizes community partnerships. She sources from nonprofits, including organizations supporting women who have survived human trafficking, and opened her doors to Sphere, a local group providing opportunities for adults with disabilities. “It’s more meaningful when what you buy carries a story—either something with history or something that supports rather than harms,” she says.
Visit the market for unique gifts, sustainable home décor, ethically-made clothing, and things you won’t find anywhere else. Pro tip: Bring this article, and you’ll recieve a free gift! •
