Lynette Dowden and Freddie Tackett - The Party Shop.
Lynette Dowden and Freddie Tackett at The Party Shop in Downtown Huntington, Indiana. - May 2026 - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt
There is a place where lasting memories can still be made. Where a cup of coffee is simply an added benefit to the true mood boasting joy that comes from the person who pours it. It is in this place where a piece of handmade candy can say congratulations or get better soon, and the the person who packs it knows which one it is for. It may sound like something from a tv show, living forever in black and white, but it does exist off screen.
In downtown Huntington, Indiana, The Party Shop in vivid color, has been a place where walking through the door meant genuine service and community since 1920. In vivid color today, 106 years later, the legacy continues to be just that, in the hands of Lynette Dowden. With her own flare of business style and customer service, that seems to have gone away with with gas pump attendants, Lynette knows her community by name and she intends to keep it that way.
“You can't be quiet, you can't be shy here. You can't hide behind the counter while you wait on somebody to tell you what they want. They're walking in the store, so you need to be helping them figure it out. Providing something extra, go the extra mile, has always been instilled in me. Give more than what they expect.
You're creating the relationship with them as you are waiting on them. If they happen to mention it's their grandma's birthday, well then you can take it to that next level and ask them, ‘wouldn't you like us to put this in a box for you today? Or how about just a cello bag with a little ribbon for grandma today? Or how can we help celebrate?' What is grandma like?’ Taking that time with them is very important.”
Whether it is Dowden who personally waits on you or one of her employees, you are sure to find excellent service and a hometown smile. In fact you may meet the man with the best smile and wave that will stick in your memory forever, his name is Freddie Tackett.
Freddie Tackett stirring candy in The Party Shop in downtown Huntington Indiana - May 2026 - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
At 77, he stirs the caramel in an old pot with a paddle, the same way it has done for years, and bags the candy. There is one thing that true about his work, it is done with love for The Party Shop, and for the more deeper reason, Lynette.
“I have been coming to this place all my life. I started making the candy with Lynette after her father-in-law passed away, who was a good friend of mine, and she asked me to do. I’ve been doing it ever sense and I just love it.”
When asked what his favorite memory was in the Party shop, he once again brought it back to Lynette, saying,
“I was sitting in here one day with my sister and brother-in-law, before I even started working here, and Lynette was doing the apples. I think her and her father-in-law, but he threw an apple to me and hit me with the apple. That's my favorite memory of this place. She smacked me with an apple. my goodness.”
Freddie Tackett stirring candy in The Party Shop in downtown Huntington Indiana - May 2026 - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Said with the most childlike laugh that once again proves how the relationships made at The Party Shop are meant to last forever. There is a true sense of family-ship cultivated between each coffee poured, candy stirred, and smile given that makes Lynettes legacy with a part of history.
Lynette Downden outside The Party Shop in Dowtown Huntington - May 2026 - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Raised in rural Huntington County on a farm, where her hard working character was built started early. At the age of 13 with a small workers permit, she began working with her mother at the local nursing facility in the culinary food services.
“My mother was administrator there and I ended up working there for 17 years and 7 days.”
After the that nursing facility was bought and sold several times in a four year period, Dowden knew it was time to move on.
“Working in a corporate world where you were then just a number and it wasn't a family feel anymore, it was time for me to move on.”
After putting a resume together for possible catering, Dowden called Bill Zimmer of the WA Zimmer Sunroom Showroom, whom she had catered for before, to ask for a reference. It was this connection that would change the trajectory of her career.
“He kindly let me use him as a reference but it was 3 days later that he called me to ask if I would be interested in the managing the Party Shop.”
Attributing many business lessons learned to Zimmer, she speaks highly of his guidance and mentorship through the years.
“He gave me free rain basically and I was able to grow the business. Changing it a little from the party supply store style to what you see now. He really saw something within me that I could do with the place. I mean, up to that point I just knew I liked to drink coffee but I didn’t really know anything about it.”
Jadyn, Lynette, Freddie, and Sue inside The Party Shop - Downtown Huntington - May 2026 - Photograph by Lorynn Hunt.
Since 2013, Lynette Dowden has had full ownership of The Party Shop and there is no doubt that her vision of community has become the statement piece of downtown Huntington.
You may being reading this story, but to really know it you must open the door and step in to truly understand it all. Make sure you head over to The Party Shop and stop in for a visit. I promise you wont be disappointed.
Thank you Lynette for being on my podcast and sharing your story! It means the world to me that you would take time out of your busy day to speak with me. It was a wonderful experience to sit at your table with you.
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Head over and listen to the episode to get more of the story. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbsVhfyoTnc , https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oIKsVuxrOqf8OS7mouzeF?si=60e2e10efdf84f9f , https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/here-in-my-time/id1858774701?i=1000772803071
