How Mindy Myers Turned Grief, Grit, and a Love for Her Hometown Into Two Thriving Centerville Businesses
What happens when a 25-year career in human resources collides with a daughter's determination to honor her father's legacy? In Centerville, Indiana, the answer is written in chicken salad recipes and toy shop shelves.
Mindy Myers didn't just open businesses — she has rebuilt the heart of a small town, one handwritten note's worth of encouragement at a time.
From HR Manager to Hometown Entrepreneur
Before she was ladling up chicken salad or stocking toy shelves, Mindy Myers spent more than two decades navigating the world of Human Resource Management, serving as HR Manager for both Shepherd Insurance and Pratt Industries. A graduate of Centerville Senior High School and Butler University, Mindy built a career grounded in people — understanding what motivates them, what challenges them, and what makes them feel valued.
That understanding didn't disappear when she left the corporate world. It became the foundation for everything she's built since.
"I strive to have a leadership style that is encouraging, collaborative, and hands-on," Mindy says. "I believe people do their best work when they feel valued, trusted, and know that their ideas matter."
It's a philosophy that now shapes not just how she runs her businesses, but how she shows up for her community.
A Tribute Written in Chicken Salad
On August 16, 2025, Mindy opened Mr. B's Chicken Salad in downtown Centerville — but the story behind the name goes back much further.
The "B" stands for Bohlander. Mindy's late father, Dick Bohlander, was a beloved Centerville resident and longtime principal of the Centerville-Abington School District. He had a quiet but powerful gift: making people feel seen. He did it through handwritten notes, through encouragement, through a genuine love for the community he served.
"I was inspired to honor my Dad's legacy of kindness, encouragement, and love for community," Mindy explains. "He had a gift for making people feel seen, valued, and encouraged by sending people handwritten notes, so I wanted to continue that encouragement and create a local gathering spot for the community."
Mr. B's Chicken Salad has quickly become exactly that — not just a place to grab lunch, but a destination where regulars return again and again. The restaurant also offers catering for everything from office lunches to larger community events, with options including sandwich trays, a self-service bar, and lunch box specials.
"The most rewarding milestone has been the growth of Mr. B's in a short amount of time and watching customers become regulars," Mindy says. "Being told how our customers enjoy the atmosphere and feel welcomed has been incredibly meaningful."
Bringing Back a Childhood Staple
Just two months after Mr. B's opened its doors, Mindy and her husband John Myers launched a second venture: Bibbly Boo Toy & Candy Shoppe. Opened in October 2025, the shop brings a classic brick-and-mortar toy store experience back to downtown Centerville — the kind of place where kids press their faces against the glass and parents find themselves reliving their own childhoods.
Between a chicken salad shop built on legacy and a toy store built on nostalgia, Mindy and John have created two distinct but complementary anchors for Centerville's downtown revival.
The Power of a Strong Network
Ask Mindy what's made her transition from HR executive to small business owner possible, and she won't point to a business plan or a spreadsheet. She'll point to the women around her.
"I have an excellent network of female entrepreneurs," she says — naming Gina at American Wellness, who helped her get Mr. B's off the ground from day one; Janel at Lavender & Sage; Lori at Luxe Lizzies; Jennifer with Americana Pizza & SignGrafx; Angie with Village Forager; and Emily and Gina with Auntie Em's Pie & Coffee.
"Peer support reminds me that I don't have to have all of the answers," Mindy says. "Some of the best ideas come from simply sharing experiences with other business owners."
It's a reminder that small-town entrepreneurship doesn't happen in isolation — it happens in community, built by women who show up for one another as readily as they show up for their customers.
Trusting the Process, Dreaming Bigger
Starting one business is a risk. Starting two, within months of each other, takes a particular kind of faith.
"The financial risk was a major challenge," Mindy admits, "but I kept the faith that if we stayed focused on the end result and maintained our positivity, then God would work out the details."
And if she could go back to day one? Her advice to herself is simple, and it's advice worth bottling for any aspiring entrepreneur: "Trust the process and don't be afraid to dream bigger."
What's Next for Mr. B's and Bibbly Boo
Mindy isn't slowing down. She's already thinking about new menu items for Mr. B's, more opportunities for the community to gather, and creative ways to deepen the restaurant's role in Centerville's daily life. She's even floated the idea of a second Mr. B's location — potentially 30 miles south, just over the Indiana state line.
Whatever comes next, it's clear Mindy Myers is building something that extends well beyond two storefronts. She's building a legacy of her own, rooted in her father's example: show up, encourage others, and make people feel like they belong.
Visit, Taste, and Celebrate Centerville
Mr. B's Chicken Salad and Bibbly Boo Toy & Candy Shoppe are both open now in downtown Centerville, Indiana. Stop by Mr. B's for a sandwich that carries a little bit of history in every bite, and bring the kids by Bibbly Boo for a toy-shopping experience that feels like stepping back in time.
Planning an office lunch, community event, or celebration? Reach out to Mr. B's Chicken Salad to ask about catering options, including sandwich trays, a self-service bar, and lunch box specials — because in Centerville, the best gatherings start with good food and a warm welcome.
