Wandermind Shop for Neurodivergent Community Opens in Downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — A new retail shop and community space designed specifically for neurodivergent individuals opened its doors in downtown Idaho Falls on Saturday, bringing a first-of-its-kind resource to East Idaho. Wandermind, located at 549 Park Avenue across from Civitan Plaza, held its grand opening celebration May 2, with a follow-up sensory-friendly event scheduled for Sunday, May 3.
Co-owners McKenzie Willmore and Jonny Willmore said the shop is stocked with tools, puzzles, hobbies, skill toys, games, and other resources designed to benefit individuals diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD or autism. The store also includes a dedicated community space and a sensory regulation room — features the owners say set Wandermind apart from a traditional retail experience.
A Personal Journey Behind the Business
The idea for Wandermind grew from McKenzie Willmore’s own experience after she was diagnosed with ADHD several years ago, following the birth of her daughter. As life changes disrupted the coping systems she had built over the years, McKenzie began researching ADHD and described the process as a moment of self-discovery.
“I was thinking — wouldn’t it be cool if there was a place that had all these tools and resources for people who find themselves in these kinds of situations and have a place where you can totally be yourself, find things that are exciting to you or helpful to you, and also be able to meet people in your community that are in that same group?” McKenzie said, in remarks reported by EastIdahoNews.com.
McKenzie said she channeled her focus into turning the concept into reality, eventually opening the shop in the heart of downtown Idaho Falls. Her favorite items in the store include notebooks and hobby supplies. Jonny Willmore, who also owns the fingerboard company Tsunami Decks, said his personal favorites are the skill toys — particularly fingerboards and a fingerboard skate park featured in the shop.
“People with neurodivergence, they love stimulation and hits of dopamine,” Jonny said in remarks reported by EastIdahoNews.com. “That’s where fingerboarding, kendamas, yo-yos come in because people who have this neurodivergency, they will have a better gratification from the dopamine hits with these kinds of skill toys because it is a little bit more delayed.”
Sensory Regulation Room and Community Space
Among Wandermind’s most distinctive features is its sensory regulation room — a dark, controlled environment designed to help individuals manage overstimulation, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. The room is equipped with a hanging pod, a blackout tent, galaxy lights, and a bubble lamp.
“It’s dark, it’s quiet,” McKenzie said in remarks reported by EastIdahoNews.com. “It’s so cozy. We’ve almost fallen asleep in there.”
The shop also offers a community space where visitors can gather to work with Legos, puzzles, Magna-Tiles, and other hands-on materials in a relaxed setting. McKenzie noted that a mural is currently being completed inside the community area, which she said will help make the space feel more welcoming and comfortable for all visitors.
The grand opening celebration ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. A separate sensory-friendly celebration — designed to offer a lower-stimulation environment for those who may find large events overwhelming — was planned for Sunday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Creating safe spaces is something that we’re really passionate about, and I think it’s exciting to be able to do it on this scale and share it with the larger community,” McKenzie said in remarks reported by EastIdahoNews.com.
Wandermind’s opening adds to an evolving landscape of small businesses taking root in downtown Idaho Falls. The area has seen both growth and challenge in recent months — the closure of the Shilo Inn earlier this year threw employees and downtown events into uncertainty, while community gatherings like the East Idaho Cinco de Mayo Celebration’s 40th anniversary festival continue to draw residents to the corridor.
What Comes Next
Wandermind is now open to the public at 549 Park Avenue in downtown Idaho Falls. The owners have indicated plans to grow the shop’s community programming and offerings over time. Residents interested in visiting or learning more about the store’s resources, events, and hours are encouraged to contact the shop directly. For additional statewide small business and community news, visit Idaho News.