My Biz: State of Mind brings eccentric gifts to Uptown Marion

State of Mind Gifts is Uptown Marion’s new destination for eclectic gifts, greeting cards and “silly stuff” as owner Carissa Starleaf calls it.

The name State of Mind leaves a lot to the imagination of a casual passerby.

“I think its kind of fun because it’s a mystery. Come in and check it out,” Starleaf said. “I think people have been delighted.”

The shop, which opened May 17 at 1107 7th Ave Ste 107, is an extension of Starleaf’s own mind.

There are practical items like journals, mugs and tote bags, Starleaf said, “but kind of a quirkier version of it. But then (there’s) also stuff that’s just silly for the sake of being silly, because why not?”

Starleaf is a self-described “puzzle person” and completes them at the shop’s front counter. Through this, she’s met fellow puzzle people and is hosting the shop’s first Puzzle Swap on Sept. 7.

Patrons can bring up to four puzzles, ranging from 500 to 1,000 pieces, into the store and leave with a new one.

“I’m going to hopefully do that quarterly,” Starleaf said.

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Curious discoveries await shoppers on the shelves, like quirky earrings, retro and Midwestern-inspired art prints, and a growing array of greeting cards, stickers and trinkets.

In one corner of the store, the more witchy and nature-inspired items congregate. At the center counter, colorful baubles surround a bowl of vintage pin-back buttons with slogans like “Support Bingo Keep Grandma Off The Street.” Another corner is dedicated to vintage glassware.

“People have a lot of nostalgia attached to it, myself included,” Starleaf said.

Her current favorite piece in the shop is a leather keychain of a pigeon with the word “Feral” on the back “because it’s just absolutely ridiculous.”

State of Mind carries work from 45 small brands — 43 of those brands are women-owned. There’s work from Iowa-based artists like Ramona Muse-Lambert of Des Moines and Refuge Studios in Iowa City. And Starleaf said more Iowa-made art is coming soon. Stained glass is arriving from artist Brooke Dearborn Houston of Mind and Mineral as well as cat toys from The Punchy Cat by Molly Freeman.

“I’ve told a few people it’ll be like a fish tank. I’m going to fill it up as I continue forward ... building up inventory and adding more art and color and everything to the space,” Starleaf said. “I’m excited to watch it grow.”

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Return to retail

Starleaf has extensive experience working in shops that specialize in vintage clothing, arts and gifts, like the since-shuttered Corridor businesses Shop Next Door and White Rabbit. In 2017, Abigail Rawson, Rachel Maker and Starleaf opened Found + Formed in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village.

Rawson has since bought Maker and Starleaf out, leading Starleaf in 2024 to decide what to pursue next. She took a year to sit with the opportunity, ultimately deciding to open State of Mind.

“I wouldn’t have felt confident enough to do this business even three years ago,” Starleaf said. “Just getting all of that knowledge and having such an incredible support behind Found + Formed and feeling like there’s a whole community of people rooting for me made all the difference.”

Owner Carissa Starleaf stands for a portrait at State of Mind in Marion, Iowa on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The gift shop offers trinkets, cards, art and other gifts with a Midwestern or vintage flair. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

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Items for sale at State of Mind in Marion, Iowa on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The gift shop offers trinkets, cards, art and other gifts with a Midwestern or vintage flair. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

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Customers browse items for sale at State of Mind in Marion, Iowa on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The gift shop offers trinkets, cards, art and other gifts with a Midwestern or vintage flair. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

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Buttons for sale at State of Mind in Marion, Iowa on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The gift shop offers trinkets, cards, art and other gifts with a Midwestern or vintage flair. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

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The name State of Mind came from a hike with Starleaf’s husband, Greg.

“I was wearing this vintage shirt that says ‘Iowa: a state of minds’ and he said why don’t you call the new shop State of Mind? I loved it instantly and felt it really fit what the shop is at its core,” Starleaf said.

Looking for a new neighborhood to setup shop, Starleaf set her sights on Marion. She noted that Uptown Marion has been “overwhelmingly” supportive.

“I got a call from (Lacey Schroeder) before I even had the key to this space,” Starleaf said, “so that felt very welcoming to know that there are people that are excited for me to be here and want to see me succeed.”

That support is key as business owners face uncertainty with inflation and tariffs.

Starleaf said that there are international artists and brands that she’d like to stock, but hasn’t because of tariff uncertainty.

“Thinking about shipping timelines and then tariffs especially, I’ve seen small businesses where you place an order and sometimes it takes months to get, and then in that time, if our policies have changed, even though you didn’t expect that, that can eat into your markup and make it where you lose money selling it,” Starleaf said.

“But it’s sad because there’s a lot of great artists and brands that I would love to share, and they are deserving of a customer base as well.”

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com

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