Did you know crayons take centuries to decompose in a landfill or that your grandma’s furs can be used to comfort baby rescue animals? To prepare for spring cleaning, learn the ins and outs of getting rid of all your old stuff
BY CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
56
100 YEARS YOUNG
This year, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis—a multiple award-winner and the bona fide largest in the world—commemorates its 100th birthday. Take a step back through time to see how it got here.
BY JULIA SPALDING
66
LOVE AT FIRST SPIKE
Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. With its elite junior clubs, top college programs, and newly minted Indy Ignite pro team, Indiana is poised to be at the center of it all.
BY MEGAN FERNANDEZ
Indy Ignite players unite in a huddle.
Illustration by Peter Crowther
CIRCLE CITY
Big Car Collaborative’s major project near Garfield Park is driving creativity and cooperation in the community.
Our Indiana expert explores what climate change in Indiana will look like.
New IRT associate artistic director cara hinh seeks a balance between comforting and challenging audiences.
The 2024 Indiana Authors Awards winners share books to cozy up with this winter.
Vintage theater marquee letters glow with glamour.
Five can’t-miss events in Indy this month.
GOOD LIFE
RH’s graceful Bronze Age–inspired marble vase is anything but primitive.
Find new-to-you treasures at three unique vintage shops.
This luxurious faux fur will have you fawning.
Designer Blake Richardson’s impeccable taste makes it no wonder his home sold in record time.
Drink in the desert and all the still snazzy-as-ever mod design you can stand at Palm Springs’ Modernism Week.
Dig deep with a DEXA scan on your journey to better health.
THE DISH
Rene’s Bakery is back—along with its irresistible buttery, crispy, soft croissants. 34
A cannabis company serves drinks and nibbles in the former Turchetti’s space, Shin Dig combines pizza and play for adults, and Ana Lezama lets her coffee speak for itself. 36
Bar-B-Q Heaven owner and grill master Ronald Jones has been smoking up his mouthwatering baby back ribs in Indy since 1952.
These tasty deviled eggs will have you wondering how in the devil they’re so good. 40
The Shadow Lounge & Restaurant serves up chef Tia Wilson’s famous cooking with a side of local nostalgia.
Fire Station 32’s homey vibes have made it an inviting area landmark for over 100 years.
Come travel with us!
DISCOVER ICELAND: THE LAND OF FIRE & ICE
WITH INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY ’S FEATURES EDITOR JULIA SPALDING
SEPTEMBER 12–21, 2025
Do you love exploring natural wonders and visiting historic landmarks?
You’ll get the best of both worlds in Iceland. From volcanic lava and geothermal fields, to massive glaciers and flowing waterfalls, to distinctive European architecture, you’ll experience all the otherworldly beauty of this spectacular Nordic island nation.
Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis
Visit indianapolismonthly.com/discover or call 1-800-581-8942 and reference booking number 1296925 for more information. Join us for our next virtual info session. RSVP today!
EDITOR’S NOTE
Clean Sweep
OVER THE course of my life, I’ve learned that it’s far easier to accumulate possessions than it is to dispose of them. Around eight years ago, I felt motivated to do a grand purge of unwanted belongings and picked up Marie Kondo’s guidebook to decluttering, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up—which made me want to throw away everything in my house. I set about clearing closets, cupboards, and plastic totes of anything that didn’t spark the requisite joy Kondo suggested, cursing the author as I created Poshmark postings for clothing and accessories, transported home furnishings to a consignment shop, and waited in a long line of cars at ToxDrop. In the end, I felt satisfied that I had lightened my load in mostly eco-friendly ways. But I sure could have used a resource like this issue’s cover package (p. 42), our localized handbook to help you dispense with nearly anything that no longer serves a useful purpose.
Andrea Ratcliff Editor-in-Chief
Continuing our theme of organization, we’ve done a little housekeeping in the back of the book this month. We streamlined our Restaurant Guide (p. 98), sorting entries alphabetically rather than by geography. We also introduce a new element: a few “Small Bites” sprinkled throughout the list to give readers some newsy dining tidbits. With the advent of a new year, we include salutes to both time-honored and novel attractions in this edition. In January, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis kicks off a yearlong celebration commemorating its 100th birthday (p. 56). At the same time, the Indy Ignite women’s pro volleyball team (p. 66) sets up for its inaugural season at the Fishers Event Center with a roster of fresh talent. We predict both of these organizations will spark a great measure of joy in 2025.
( CONTRIBUTORS )
Finders Keepers
WHILE COMPILING OUR GUIDE FOR CLEARING CLUTTER (P. 42), WE ASKED IM STAFF MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY THE ONE THING IN THEIR HOMES THEY JUST CAN’T TOSS OUT.
“My daughter’s art. I have a plastic tub’s worth so far. I’m convinced she’s the next Picasso, and no one can tell me otherwise.”
—Camille Graves, Managing Editor
“Dog collars with name tags from my best furry friends who have passed on to the next life. Put the collars in the trash and save the tags, you say? I should, but I cannot bring myself to do it.”
—Holly Whitney, Sales Director
“My mom’s handwritten recipe for her famous ‘Chicken Breast and Rice' that she wrote out for me when I moved into my first apartment.”
—Julia Spalding, Features Editor
Michelle Mastro
Born and raised in Southern California, writer Michelle Mastro covers lifestyle, travel, architecture, and culture. She especially loves when all these topics intersect, like in her piece covering Palm Springs’ Modernism Week (p. 30), a tribute to the signature designs of the area—which she can’t believe she found weird and alien when she visited the town as a child!
Roberts
Writer Lori Roberts is the proverbial “woman of a certain age.” Her waistline resembles a beach ball, she can’t remember where she put her sunglasses, and she doesn’t feel as old as her ID claims. This month’s story on mature women’s health (p. 93) has her listing the aging challenges she’s ready to tackle, while recognizing that aging is a privilege she’s lucky to face.
Wilson
Collections registrar and archivist for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Jamie Wilson has a passion for collections and preservation. Her dedication to protecting the past for future generations is matched by her enthusiasm for sharing community stories, which she’s excited to see in Indy Monthly’s celebration of the museum’s 100th anniversary (p. 56).
“A shoebox full of old sunglasses. Some are mine from 30–40 years ago, and some were my mom’s. They probably will never be worn again, even though some are in style again and are really cool. Every once in a while, I open the box and look through. They hold great memories.”
—Nancy Oliphant, Account Executive
“My childhood teddy bear, Pookie, still sits on a shelf in my home. I don’t care how weird it is for a 29-year-old ... the bear stays.”
—Maura Broderson, Editorial Art Director
Jamie
Lori
PUBLISHER Ivy Bayer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Andrea Ratcliff
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
FEATURES EDITOR
Julia Spalding
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Christina Vercelletto
FOOD & DINING EDITOR
Eve Batey
MANAGING EDITOR
Camille Graves
DIGITAL EDITOR
Clay Maxfield
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Gabriela Bell, Erika Kovach
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Amy Cecil, Matthew Clements, Jena Jennings, Nancy Oliphant
SALES DIRECTOR Holly Whitney
DESIGN DIRECTOR Margo Wininger
PUBLISHED BY
CINCINNATI MEDIA, LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF HOUR MEDIA, LLC
EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR
Maura Broderson
ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR
Christiana Bertsch
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Megan Fernandez, Stephen Garstang, Jeana Harris, Terry Kirts, Amy Lynch, Sam Stall
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Ryan Johnson, Jes Nijjer, Tony Valainis
Vu Luong BUSINESS
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Missy Beiting
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CEO Stefan Wanczyk
PRESIDENT John Balardo
EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING OFFICES
Indianapolis Monthly 8909 Purdue Rd., Suite 130 Indianapolis, IN 46268 317-969-6954
Meet more than 300 peer-nominated dental practitioners who made our annual Top Dentists list, which is sorted into seven specialty categories. The accompanying profiles showcase Central Indiana practices with expanded information about their services, treatments, qualifications, and philosophies.
93 // WOMEN’S HEALTH & WELLNESS
Indy-area services address women’s medical and aesthetic needs while navigating midlife changes to their bodies during perimenopause and menopause. Learn more about treatment options that can help women maintain and improve their health and quality of life in middle age.
CORRECTION: In the November Top Doctors feature, IM omitted ophthalmologist Frank Hrisomalos, M.D., of Midwest Eye Institute in Carmel and Greenwood (midwesteye.com). We regret the error.
HOMETOWN: NORTH
We’re highlighting the top attractions, activities, shops, and dining establishments on Indy’s north side, as well as in the surrounding communities in Boone, Hamilton, and Madison counties.
SCHOOL GUIDE
Our annual list details test scores, tuition rates, and contact information for public, private, and charter schools, as well as enrollment numbers, room and board fees, and degrees offered at statewide colleges and universities.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KASSIDY ILAYNE STUDIOS
CIRCLE CITY
SPEED READ
Roots and Wings
The Indy-based art nonprofit Big Car Collaborative has transformed Garfield Park by converting roughly a city block’s worth of dilapidated storefronts, old industrial buildings, and parking lots into a public arts fantasia. And with a new expansion underway, they’re just getting started. Here’s a primer.
Chicken Chapel of Love
Indianapolis Bee Sanctuary
Amphitheater
Tube Factory
Tube Factory Expansion
Artist Homes
Garfield Park
Shelby Street
( SPEED READ CONTINUED )
BIG CAR’S NAME REFLECTS ITS NOMADIC EARLY DAYS. Co-founders Jim Walker and his wife Shauta Marsh formed the organization in 2004 in Fountain Square, where its quirky art programs helped spark the neighborhood’s revival. The group also resided for a while in an old tire shop near Lafayette Square. Big Car is known for heretoday-gone-tomorrow art installations ranging from Spark on the Circle to an art museum on wheels called the Wagon of Wonders.
IT WAS PRICED OUT OF THE AREA IT HELPED TURN AROUND. So Walker and Marsh decided Big Car should actually own its headquarters—and the Garfield Park neighborhood, where the pair lived, seemed like the logical place.
THAT’S A PROBLEM COMMON TO ARTS COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN INDIANAPOLIS. An original case study of this is Broad Ripple, which saw most of its commercial strip emptied by the arrival of nearby Glendale Mall in the 1960s. Rent prices plummeted, which attracted artist studios and galleries. This infusion of culture revived the neighborhood, driving up rents and, ironically, forcing the artists to go elsewhere.
BUT BIG CAR HAD A PLAN TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING IN GARFIELD PARK. The campus includes 18 fully reconditioned homes for artists, made available to local creative types and their families at below-market rates. In exchange, they agree to help with neighborhood-level cultural projects. Since Big Car manages the program, economic factors can never force the artists they partner with out of the area.
BIG CAR’S HEADQUARTERS, AKA TUBE FACTORY ARTSPACE, WAS A FIXER-UPPER. Much of the group’s 6-acre campus, including a manufacturing plant, was acquired for a song from the previous owner, the Tube Processing Corporation. It cost nearly $4 million to transform the plant into Big Car’s headquarters, with most of the cash provided by a bevy of donors, including a $3 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. “This is a very long-term investment by our
“I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FIRST MEAL THAT WE CAN ALL SHARE IN THE NEW BUILDING. IT’LL BE GREAT TO HAVE IT COOKED AND SERVED IN THAT SPACE, SO THE ARTISTS AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN EAT TOGETHER IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE ART.”
donors, who are giving us security by letting us have control of our future,” shares Walker.
BIG TUBE IS GESTATING. Ground was broken in June 2024 for the next phase of the property’s development, focused on a 40,000-square-foot former industrial building not far from Tube Factory that’s already been nicknamed Big Tube. When work finishes sometime next year, the structure will host, for starters, a 4,800-square-foot performance space; five business incubator storefronts; two recording studios, including facilities for Big Car’s own radio station, WQRT-FM 99.1; and 20 studios for visual artists.
BUT IT’S PROVING A BIT COMPLICATED. The structure that will become Big Tube is more than a century old and was originally a dairy barn. Housing generations of cows in the building has created unique structural challenges, and multiple expansions over the years have left behind a choppy, awkward floor plan. One small, oddly positioned space may become a tiny museum dedicated to Indiana’s utopian communities, such as New Harmony.
THE HEART OF BIG TUBE WILL BE ALLOCATED TO SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO MARSH. Back in the day, she was executive director of the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, which occupied a Fountain Square storefront until its dissolution in 2020. Big Tube will house a sort of spiritual successor to the IMOCA, devoting a total of five exhibition areas, one of them a gargantuan 4,200 square feet, to modern art. Interestingly, while works will be commissioned for the space, no attempt will be made to build a permanent collection.
BIG TUBE WILL HAVE PECKISH PATRONS COVERED. Walker considers a great meal to be a work of art. That’s why
Big Tube will include a commercial kitchen and restaurant, which will serve visitors, cater private events, and help train a new generation of food service specialists. “I’m looking forward to the first meal that we can all share in the new building,” says Walker. “It’ll be great to have it cooked and served in that space, so the artists and the community members can eat together in the midst of all the art.”
IN THE MEANTIME, BIG CAR IS A BIG DRAW. The eye-catching grounds are enticing. Tube Factory contains a coffee shop, Normal Coffee—try the croissant toast—and continuously rotating, unconventional art exhibits. Yet the tiny poultry-themed structure known as the Chicken Chapel of Love is a fan favorite. It’s like a Vegas quickiewedding chapel with barnyard decor. Yes, couples can and do get married amongst fowl.
FIRST FRIDAY IS THE TIME TO GO. Walker recommends newbies drop by on the first Friday of the month, a tradition that’s been important for Big Car ever since its formative days in Fountain Square. You’ll find a food truck and oftentimes an exhibit opening. Otherwise, the campus is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BIG TUBE IS UNLIKELY TO BE THE LAST ADDITION. A stretch of rough-looking real estate along Cruft Street could lend itself nicely to additional housing. “We also have our eye on the area’s alleys, having accessory dwellings like carriage houses go in those,” says Walker, who envisions maybe 20 new units. The idea is to create more affordable housing in an area where (surprise, surprise) real estate prices are climbing. This time, Big Car isn’t going anywhere. —SAM STALL
NOV 8 - MAR 9
Preston Singletary (American Tlingit, born 1963) K’anashgidéi Yáx Koowdzitee (Humble Birth), 2018 Blown, hot-sculpted, and sand-carved glass; steel stand
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Under the Weather
Q : HOW WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT INDIANA? A: A recent report from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment attempted to suss out the specifics of our state’s sweatier future. We probably don’t have to worry about hurricanes, but average temperatures are expected to continue to trend upward. By century’s end, we’ll be sitting at about 6 degrees higher than where we are now. That means a longer allergy season; hardier mosquitos, fleas, and ticks that don’t die off come November; and more of the sweltering days that tax power grids, crops, and the constitutions of babies and the elderly. Snow will become something of a rarity and flooding spring rains more common. While that sounds bleak, we’re still in a relatively enviable position compared to, say, Texas, Louisiana, or Florida. Indiana, along with other advantageously situated states, may want to start preparing now to welcome an influx of new residents from less livable locales. —SAM STALL
( UNSPOKEN RULES )
Cheers to New Year’s 5K
A MANNER-FESTO FOR THE “RESOLUTION RACE” THAT STARTS AND ENDS AT NORA’S BIG LUG CANTEEN.
Sign up even if you’re a newbie. First-timers like that the route is flat and entirely on the Monon Trail. Enlist a friend or your family. It’s more fun. Ask to have your 2025 resolution printed on the back of the included T-shirt. Customize your bib, too. Arrive at 9 a.m. to get checked in (and use the indoor bathrooms). Go at the pace that is comfortable for you. Lots of walkers participate. Grab a pint of beer and a photo, both free, at Big Lug Canteen afterward. Show off your accomplishment by wearing your finisher medal around town the next day.
Whether it’s because they enjoy their jobs, can’t afford to retire, or both, almost a quarter of Indiana’s Social Security–age folks are keeping their noses to the grindstone. That’s slightly higher than the national average of 22 percent.
ask THE HOOSIERIST
cara hinh, associate artistic director
THEIR NEW JOB AT THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE REPRESENTS A HOMECOMING FOR SOUTHPORT HIGH GRAD CARA HINH. THEY HAVE DIRECTED PLAYS AT THE BREAKING THE BINARY FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK AND AT ALASKA’S PERSEVERANCE THEATRE. BY LOU HARRY
As a student at Southport High, did you ever go on a field trip to the IRT?
I saw my first professional shows there! At A Christmas Carol [which hinh directed this past season], I may have shed a few tears when I made a toast about being a young person coming here for shows, going to the IRT Conservatory, and dreaming about being able to come back and work here. It’s very full circle for me.
While directing A Christmas Carol anchors the job, it seems like the role of associate artistic director differs with each new person in the position. Is that accurate? Absolutely. Who I am and my interests are going to shape this role. I’m excited to feel supported to explore things I love, including new plays. But I just started mid-July. I’m still a wriggling fish on the deck.
Apart from the creations of former playwright-in-residence James Still, new work isn’t something IRT has been big on in the past. Is that changing? I hope so. It’s one of the things I talked about in taking this position, finding a way to engage with more writers and craft new work. It was inspiring to see Indianapolis companies coming together for PlayFest Indy [a 2024 play-reading event led by the New Harmony Project and involving multiple local theaters]. I’m excited that we will be partnering with the New Harmony Project on the next one.
Is working with other local theater companies a shift as well?
All of us benefit from more theater happening in the city. I see the IRT as being an important part of the ecosystem that creates healthy theater on so many different levels. I think we can all succeed by feeding that ecosystem. As the big regional theater, we have … maybe “obligation” isn’t the right word … but we are here to serve everyone and make space for people to figure out that they love theater.
What do you feel you bring to the IRT table that perhaps has been missing from the mix?
I’m so excited to be in collaboration on our next season, to push forward and respond to the times and the people we are around. I’m excited to see where we go in the next couple of years.
The work I’ve done has been deeply connected to identity. To speak about this, personally, I am the child of a Vietnamese refugee and a Baptist Appalachian. Most wouldn’t think my parents would have found each other or that my sister and I would exist. So I’m interested in what it means to be an American, what it means to be a good member of the community. Growing up on the south side, I was one of very few Asian American folks. Now there are huge Chinese, Korean, and other Asian communities. I would love to find ways to connect directly with those communities. That’s my
Photo by TONY VALAINIS
hope for my future in this coming year. Also, my first jobs were in education so that’s part of where my heart really lies, in working with young people. In this shift and change, we are figuring out who we are next. We are very much in the beginning of that process. We are in that chrysalis. I can’t wait to see what emerges.
The confluence of the pandemic, diminished arts coverage in media, and the rethinking of equity and inclusion have left many a theater with an identity crisis. How do you hope to help IRT face these challenges?
That’s a huge question. I think it’s almost an impossible task to make one season fit for everyone. It’s a balance, figuring out how to continue to ask our audiences to engage and push themselves while also allowing people to be in a place they know and love. We, as an artistic team, are trying to find out what that balance is. There’s weight behind our new investment in our playwright-in-residence, which is an exciting commission coming up, and a commitment to celebrating a diversity of people on stage. A huge part of my work is to make a space that is more equitable and strives for safety and bravery. My hope is that it’s never too late to grow and change.
Can you share a specific example of that approach from your work so far?
In approaching A Christmas Carol, for instance, I was thinking about ways to remove unnecessarily gendered language. Similarly, I thought about the empowerment of Tiny Tim instead of him being just his disability. People with disabilities are just as much a part of their family as those without them. A Christmas Carol is about what it means to turn away from caring about other people. It’s about a man understanding that turning away from community harms himself and his community.
Theater artists have a wide range of views on criticism.
We don’t have theater critics at legacy papers here in Indianapolis. What’s your take? Personally, I love criticism. It’s important that we have dialogue around the things that we’re making. We’re not making it in a vacuum or just for people who like it. When we hear other perspectives, it helps us strive for more. And, at least in New York City, there’s momentum around younger people putting on the hat of critics themselves, inserting themselves into the narrative. All of that is important. Conversation is the only thing we have to change people’s hearts and minds. An Instagram post or a Substack can get things started.
Some years we see more local actors on the IRT stage, while others are heavy on out-of-town talent. What can we expect going forward?
On Carol, we went right down the middle with folks from here and from across the country. I’m not sure if there’s any trend for what the future holds. In my mind, the goal is to have a healthy mix.
Will you still have time to work beyond Indianapolis?
I’m lucky that the IRT wants to support my growth as a director, so time for that is built in. Right now, though, I’m just trying to get my bearings here, but I might be doing a reading in New York City in the spring.
Putting IRT needs and logistics aside, what are some plays that you would personally love to work on?
As a director, I have two modes. On one hand, I am a huge Eugene O’Neill fan. I am obsessed with the idea of doing Mourning Becomes Electra. I yearn to investigate it and make it happen. And, on the other side, I am a person who deeply loves new work. In terms of that, I really want to work with my best friend and collaborator Alex Lin on an original musical that involves aliens, outer space, and cows.
Where Are They Now?
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR IS SOMETHING OF A TEMPORARY TITLE AT THE IRT, WITH THOSE FILLING THE SPOT STAYING IN IT ONLY A FEW YEARS BEFORE MOVING ON. HERE’S AN UPDATE ON RECENT TALENTS.
The founder and artistic director of Launch Pad, a new play development program at the University of California, Santa Barbara, returned to the IRT in 2023 to direct Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Now IRT’s artistic director, he is the first to move into the lead job since Janet Allen in 1996.
The Chicago-based director recently helmed Last Hermanos at A Red Orchid Theatre and Frida Libre at Northwestern’s Imagine U theater for young audiences.
Recently retired as a professor of theater at the University of Michigan, the beloved actress returned to the IRT in 2022 to appear in Sense and Sensibility and to direct A Christmas Carol.
Courtney Sale
After leading Seattle Children’s Theatre, she became artistic director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Massachusetts. There, she most recently directed The Rise and Fall of Holly Fudge
Risa Brainin
Benjamin Hanna
Ismael Lara Jr.
Priscilla Lindsay
Hit the Books
BRIGHTEN GRAY DAYS WITH THE WINTERREADING FAVORITES OF INDIANA HUMANITIES’ 2024 INDIANA AUTHOR AWARD WINNERS. BY
CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
THE GATHERING by Anne Enright
“The splendor of the language is utterly hypnotizing. A family gathers, devastating secrets are revealed, but no description of the plot does this book justice.”
FACING THE SNOW by Tu Fu, translated by Sam Hamill
“This book by one of China’s greatest poets from the classical Tang Dynasty era is a must read any time of year. But given the number of poems dealing with harsh winter conditions, it’s perfect for cozy nights fireside.”
A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris
“It’s a winter-white delight. With spare text and clever cut-paper art, it offers a peek into the vast landscape where a lone polar bear, all but hidden by the snow, goes about his polar-bearish life.”
pick by
Maurice Broaddus
Author of The Usual Suspects
WINTER IN SOKCHO by Elisa Shua Dusapin
“A young woman works at an inn in Sokcho, a vacation town on the border of South and North Korea, in the offseason. She develops a fascination with a French graphic novelist who comes to stay. It’s mesmerizing.”
OUT THERE SCREAMING edited by
Jordan Peele
“This anthology of new stories by Black horror writers runs the gamut, drawing on history, the supernatural, current events, and personal traumas to provide stories that balance being unsettling with being thoroughly entertaining.”
KABLOONA by Gontran de Poncins
“A French nobleman describes 15 months spent among the Inuit of the Arctic. I have the book and the Blackstone audio CD version. This read will make you happy that you’re safe and warm as it carries you on an adventure into the far north.”
WINTER’S TALES by Isak Dinesen
“This book depicts the landscapes of Scandinavia and northern Europe in tales that are as powerful in their plots as they are in their winter settings.”
SMALL IN THE CITY by Sydney Smith
“As a boy leaves a city bus and moves over frozen sidewalks, he worries about someone else who is small. We see the boy check hiding places as the snow thickens. The mystery carries the reader through until hopeful tracks appear.”
“In her signature gentle, lyrical verse, White takes us through all four seasons. Sala’s rich art is like a meal full of the best colors, tastes, and textures. The final pages bring us into glorious winter with a Christmas setting.”
ANNA KARENINA by Leo Tolstoy “Of course!”
Tess Gunty, Author of The Rabbit Hutch
picks by
George Kalamaras, Author of To Sleep in the Horse’s Belly
picks by
GREEN ON GREEN by Dianne White, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Janna Matthies, Author of My Towering Tree
picks by
( GET COZY )
Marquee Letters
VINTAGE: EARLY 1980 s
Resides at The Historic Artcraft Theatre, Franklin
THE HISTORIC Artcraft Theatre
first opened as a silent movie theater and vaudeville house. It is one of the oldest and most unique venues to catch a movie in the state of Indiana. Its art deco marquee billboard, added in 1948, makes the building difficult to miss and highlights its historical nature. The letters used on the marquee today date back to the early 1980s. Originally opened in 1922, the theater still offers a “pre-show” before the main feature that includes skits, prize drawings, a playing of the national anthem, and a classic cartoon feature. Movies, from cult classics to holiday special features, are on original 35 mm film. The theater box office is open Wednesday through Friday, along with a concession stand and a bar.
—ERIKA KOVACH
ARTIFACT
(1) Indy Pride Career Fair
January 16
Looking for new opportunities with companies that value diversity and inclusion? Head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Industries represented will include health, tech, education, hospitality, and nonprofit. All welcome. indypride.org/event/ indy-pride-career-fair-2025
(2) Cirque du Soleil: Crystal
January 23
At the brand-new Fishers Event Center, experience a Cirque de Soleil first: massive visual projections on ice paired with a soundtrack blending popular and original music. fisherseventcenter.com
(3) Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular
January 24
In honor of The King’s 90th birthday, Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter, and Ryan Pelton take the stage at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Each artist will channel Elvis at a different stage of his career. elvistribute artistspectacular.com
(4) Luminaries: The Music and Lives of African American Classical Composers
January 28
Join saxophonist Trevor Conerly and pianist Andrew Brown at the Palladium as they honor the contributions of African Americans to the world of classical music and share their personal stories. thecenterpresents.org
(5) Beethoven and Dvořák
January 31
The ISO welcomes pianist Awadagin Pratt and conductor Joseph Young to showcase Beethoven’s brooding Piano Concerto No. 3 and Dvořák’s exquisite 7th Symphony, respectively, at Hilbert Circle Theatre. indianapolis symphony.org
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Zoobilation 2025 presented by Citizens Energy Group will be held on Friday, June 13. Individual tickets go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at 9am and sell out quickly.
Written in Stone
Inspired by the art of the ancient Aegean region, in particular Cycladic objects of the Bronze Age, the RH Vase is completely handcrafted. White marble is distressed with a timeworn finish, which, along with the primitive handles, conveys the character of a rare antiquity. The tracery of veining imparts a delicate striped look to this unique treasure. You’ll never find another one exactly the same. $600. RH Indianapolis, 4501 N. Michigan Rd., rh.com/indianapolis
—CHRISTINA
VERCELLETTO
( SHOP TALK )
The Eras Tour
A TRIO OF VINTAGE SHOPS, EACH WITH ITS OWN DISTINCT VIBE, HAS OPENED IN THE INDY AREA. BY GABRIELA BELL
Satellite Vintage
BROAD Ripple’s women-owned Satellite Vintage has a signature disco meets Western-glam theme— and goodies to squeal over in every corner. “We all have our own aesthetic,” says co-owner Angie Parry-Lemon of the bright, cozy space. “So it’s fun to see the shop come together with each of our unique finds.” With individually sourced pieces from the 1950s to the current day, it’s curated and merchandised to make anyone’s space cowboy dreams come true.
D’s Vintage Toys and Collectibles
FAMILY-OWNED and operated, D’s Vintage Toys and Collectibles buys, sells, and trades rare, new, and vintage toys in The Shops at Perry Crossing. Owner Dennis Puyear II was inspired to open the shop when he was expecting a son. “I wanted him to play with the same toys that I did.” An enclave for popular lines like Star Wars, DC, and Marvel, the shop is an instant blast from the past. Or as Puyear puts it, “bringing back childhood memories and creating new ones.”
Vintage Kulture Clothing
THE BUSTLING, trendy strip that is Mass Ave wouldn’t be complete without a cool vintage shop. Enter newcomer Vintage Kulture Clothing. Its mission is to promote secondhand shopping both as a way to find one-of-a-kind classic wardrobe components and to live more sustainably. Through its upcycling process, it focuses on offering highquality men’s and women’s clothing from the 1960s to the 2000s with an emphasis on streetwear, jeans, and pop culture–themed pieces.
Faux Pop
CRAVING COZY-CHIC STYLE? OUR FURRY FINDS ARE UNREAL. BY STEPHEN GARSTANG
(1) The Signature Series chevron throw blanket is in lush tones of gray and taupe. $325. Addendum Gallery, Carmel City Center, 317-253-3400
(2) Donna Salyers ice scraper in chocolate faux fox keeps hands toasty. $30. MacKenzieChilds Shop, Carmel City Center, 317-253-3400
(3) Too cute to be just for kids, Jellycat’s Bartholomew tote is finished with a shiny silver zipper. $85. Decorate, 708 Massachusetts Ave., 317-737-2109
(4) Each beautiful button on the Malìparmi Russian curly “lamb” jacket is different. $603. Fringe & Form, Carmel City Center, 317-993-3076
(5) The Steve Madden quilted Brady vest is reversible and boasts a standup collar for chillier days. $109. Civvies, 1134 E. 54th St., 317-653-1169
(6) 2 Chic herringbone touchscreenfinger gloves have microseude trim for a polished look. $25. Decorate, 708 Massachusetts Ave., 317-737-2109
(7) Donna Salyers Le Mink Tote has a magnetic snap closure. $125. MacKenzie-Childs Shop, Carmel City Center, 317-2533400
By Design
HOME REHABBER BLAKE RICHARDSON’S LABOR OF LOVE IS SNAPPED UP IN RECORD TIME. BY
JEANA HARRIS
“I LOVE taking a blank slate and bringing it back to what it should be,” says real estate agent and designer Blake Richardson. Known for his delightfully bold, maximalist style, Richardson poured every bit of his creativity into this 1960 near-eastside home that until recently was his personal residence. Richardson added molding and woodwork throughout, infusing the living spaces with character. “I handpainted it all myself to give it more of an original feel. I love when you look at woodwork and can see the brush strokes. A lot of people think it’s original to the house.”
Fabulous natural light streams in through high-end, metal Hampstead windows with custom blackout shades. The easy-flowing layout is open, yet each room retains a distinct sense of purpose. Four bedrooms and two-and-
a-half baths sit within the solid bones of the 2,680-square-foot home.
While much of the color comes in decor and textiles, the former-diningroom-turned-lounge is drenched in a high gloss, rich olive that was custom mixed to match the drapery. Its sumptuousness perfectly complements the adjoining kitchen’s unexpected drama, where exuberant Gucci wallpaper in a tiger-face print roars above the trim.
A new solarium awaits through French doors just off the living room. Richardson created it using old, beveled glass doors repurposed from a home on Fall Creek. “I like to save things. We thought they were perfect for this house,” says Richardson. The solarium overlooks a backyard oasis with a koi pond, in-ground stock tank swimming pool, raised garden beds, firepit, and 12 espaliered fruit trees. “I truly feel that the home should be a happy place,” says Richardson. “You should enjoy where you live.”
REALTY CHECK
Mad for Mod
Palm Springs, CA
PALM SPRINGS UNDERSCORES ITS REP AS AN OASIS FOR ARCHITECTURE AFICIONADOS DURING MODERNISM WEEK. BY
IN THE Sonoran Desert of California, iconoclast architects in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s interpreted modern design in a way that paid tribute to the landscape—a style that would make the area famous for its structures boasting clean lines, brilliant hues, breeze blocks, and towering walls of glass through which to view the craggy hills.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Palms Springs’ Modernism Week (modern ismweek.com/2025). From February 13 to 23, the resort town will swell with architects and midcentury modern enthusiasts. The first stop: any of the private homes once owned by the likes of Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, architect William Cody, and designer Raymond Loewy in 28 neighborhoods throughout the city. The Kaufmann Desert House is known for its garden of 100-yearold cacti, one of which was a gift from Frank Lloyd Wright. Next, board an open-air
MICHELLE MASTRO
double-decker bus to see Palm Springs City Hall, William Krisel’s House of Tomorrow, St. Theresa Catholic Church, the famous Tramway Gas Station, and Frey House II, perched atop a rocky outcropping.
The festival’s films and presentations (modernismweek.com/2025/films-lectures) may not be as talked about as its vintage car shows, but they’re world-class. Among the worthy options are “Stories Untold: Preserving Sites of African American Resilience, Activism, Achievement and Architecture” and “An Evening With the Daughters of Design: Bertoia, Eames, and Saarinen.”
Over at the Palm Springs Art Museum (psmuseum.org), catch So Near, So Far. The exhibit showcases commissioned furniture, lighting, and sculpture inspired by the story of Manuel Sandoval Vallarta, a Nicaraguan American carpenter. Before heading home, raise your glass to a memorable retro escape at a Monkees-inspired cocktail party (modernismweek.com/2025/experiences).
IF YOU GO
STAY The Monkey Tree (monkeytree .avantstay.com), designed by architect Albert Frey, boasts pops of bold color like pink-tiled bathrooms.
CHILL The Pink Cabana (sandshotel andspa.com) serves up Moroccan cuisine with a side of old Hollywood poolside luxe.
VENTURE The quirky roadside attraction Cabazon Dinosaurs (cabazondinosaurs .com) was created by Claude Bell, an artist who’d built many installations for Knott’s Berry Farm.
Got a superhero fan at home? Whether they lean DC or Marvel, the HALL OF HEROES SUPERHERO MUSEUM in Elkhart will thrill with its cache. We’re talking Adam West’s Batman costume, the shield used in Captain America: The First Avenger, WWII-era comics, and the Marvel Superhero Express tin train. hallofheroesmuseum.com —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO
Knowledge is Power
A DEVICE MADE TO DIAGNOSE OSTEOPOROSIS IS BEING MARKETED TO TRACK FITNESS GOALS. A MIDLIFE ATHLETE FINDS OUT IF THE HYPE IS TRUE. BY EVE BATEY
LIKE MANY longtime runners, I’ve slacked on my strength training, preferring the pavement to the weight room. I saw the result of my slacking during my holiday travel when I tried—and failed—to lift my carry-on into the overhead bin. After a passing middle schooler hoisted my bag without blinking, my New Year’s resolution was set: Get my strength groove back, and fast.
That’s how I ended up laying on a platform in a darkened office-park room on the north side of Indianapolis as two X-ray beams passed through my body. The scan, called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (or DEXA), is
commonly used to track bone density and diagnose osteoporosis, but facilities like VisionQuest Labs (vqlabs.com/ indianapolis) offer the $150 service to anyone in quest of their quantified self.
The appointment, which took less than 30 minutes, was easy and painless. A friendly lab tech who looked like an extremely buff version of Peeta from The Hunger Games stood by as I laid still on a table for 10 minutes and a scanner passed about 8 inches above me. The radiation exposure, I was told, is “less than a cross-country flight.” I winced internally, recalling my carry-on fail. (Like air travel, your clothes stay on, but shoes and anything metal must be removed.)
After the scan, the tech handed me a printout that detailed my bone density,
as well as my lean body mass and fat percentages for each part of my body. I also learned my percentile ranking for my age and gender (a nice feature for the more competitive among us) while the tech talked through everything in a nonjudgmental, anti-diet culture way. I left with a pleasant sense of purpose and clear-cut information on what parts of my mortal coil needed immediate resistance training attention. Sometimes, all you need to make an important change is a little bit of data.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
DEXA scans are considered more accurate for evaluating body composition than older procedures, such as skin fold measurement, electrical current tests, or air displacement devices, but they’re not perfect and are especially fallible as a weight management tool. They have a margin of error of a few percentage points, which is significant in that context. To track your overall fitness progress, you’ll want to schedule a follow-up scan in three to six months. Sooner than that “and you won’t see any results,” my tech confirmed. Unless a doctor orders a DEXA scan for bone density purposes, insurance plans typically treat it as an out-of-pocket expense. But some local labs have a first time or repeat appointment discount, and others offer multi-test packages that bundle other buzzy procedures, such as a VO2 max test to check your aerobic endurance. So when you’re scheduling, ask about any deals.
Illustration by CHLOE
CANDLEMAKINGEXPERIENCE!
nplug Soy Candles, locally owned and foundedby Jennifer and Joe Sturgill, has been the premiere candle-making destination in the Indianapolis area for over 9 years. As a one-stop retail shop in Fishers, Unplug offers more than just candlemaking. It’s all about the experience at Unplug Soy Candles.
Customers love the inviting and energetic atmosphere while pouring candles and shopping. At Unplug, you’ll be sure to find the perfect, gift-worthy items for any occasion, including personalized gift boxes and custom-printed candles. Unplug also has an exceptional fundraising program, Candles For A Cause, giving 25% of sales back to the hosting organization. For the cherry on top, Unplug regularly hosts spectacular (children and petfriendly) interactive events, bringing people in the community together for a memorable experience!
Sweet Revival
Isaac Roman and Thomas Hays haven’t had a day off in months, but they don’t mind. The new owners of Rene’s Bakery, a 20-yearold Indy institution that shuttered last year after founder Albert Rene Trevino fell ill, are working day and night to bring back Trevino’s distinctly flaky croissants, gooey cinnamon rolls, and other sweet treats, as well as the welcoming atmosphere that makes Rene’s feel more like a community than a business. “It’s long hours and hard work,” Hays says, “but it pays off seeing everybody so happy to be back in here. It’s such a privilege.”
6524 N. Cornell Ave. —EVE BATEY
SWOON
Photo by TONY
( CHEERS )
Branching Out
INDY’S HOMEGROWN CANNABIS COMPANY MOVES INTO THE RESTAURANT SPACE. BY EVE BATEY
WHEN THE OWNERS of Fountain Square–based WildEye Cannabis started looking for a brewery space to manufacture infused mocktails, they didn’t have any intentions of opening a restaurant. But after they heard that a neighboring business, Turchetti’s Deli, was planning on ending its dining operation, they changed their plans. “At first, we were just looking for a place to bottle our lemonades,” co-owner Scott Hughes says. “But when we heard that George Turkette wanted to focus on his meat market business, we got excited.”
WildEye co-owner Nick Brown has a background as a chef, so he developed a menu for WildFyre Tap that weaves some of Turchetti’s favorites in with offerings like a broccoli cheese soup studded with deep-fried broccoli bites. Live music is also on the agenda, as are beer, wine, and a late-night menu for folks “who need to get something to eat after the bars close,” Hughes says. 1106 Prospect St.
PINCH OF WISDOM
“We believe in ourselves, so we don’t pay influencers to post about our coffee shop. If you see someone with a big following talking about our business, it’s because they came in and loved it, just like any other customer.”
–Ana
Lezama , Co-owner, Mansion Society
( NEW IN TOWN )
Party Down
A ubiquitous Indy restaurant group cuts loose with a breezy new operation.
INDIANAPOLIS-BASED Cunningham Restaurant Group is known for its broad range of businesses, from upscale, fine dining spots like Vida and Commission Row to approachable venues like Bru Burger and Mesh. Its newest option, Shin Dig, is a fresh idea from the often-straitlaced company, a relaxed pizza-and-wings type joint with an emphasis on whimsy and joy. Expect playful decor such as gnome-held tables, silly cocktails including a tropical take on a Long Island, and an outright encouragement to stick around and play board games, engage in pingpong, or just gather around its firepit. It’s a place where food and fun get equal and thoughtful attention. 1351 Roosevelt Ave., 317-907-6100, shindigindy.com —E.B.
CAJUN CLOSURE Mooresville’s 26-year-old destination Zydeco’s shuttered on December 27, after its owners sold its building. ’ELLO GOV’NOR British chip shop Max & Tilly’s has launched in Fishers with a menu of traditional mushy peas and beefy sandwiches.
DELI-CIOUS The owners of local dessert chain Fundae’s have moved into the deli game with SubDaze, a sandwich and salad shop near Zionsville Village. —E.B.
FAVORITE THINGS
(1) The Indy 500. “I love motorsports.” (2) Classic autos. “I still have the 1955 Thunderbird I purchased when I was 15, and 16 other cars.”
(3) Bar-B-Q Heaven.
Rib Crib
RONALD JONES HAS TURNED BAR-B-Q HEAVEN INTO A CIRCLE CITY ICON.
BY BRIAN GARRIDO
RONALD JONES , owner and grill master of Indianapolis’ BarB-Q Heaven, surveys baby back ribs smoking on an industrial smoker built inside a former 1920s house on Martin Luther King Boulevard. With a basting brush and his signature cap pulled low, the 85-yearold shellacs Memphis-inspired ribs with a marinade perfected over seven decades. Nearby, his staff—some with him for over 40 years—takes orders and fills up carryout containers.
Jones’ journey began in 1949 with an 11-year-old’s dream of owning a bike. He borrowed 75 cents from his mother and sold barbecue grilled on an overturned milk crate outside Frederick Douglass Park. His grandmother’s marinade—a tasty blend of sweet, tart, and heat—was his signature. By 1952, with his parents’ help, he opened his first location on Indiana Avenue,
the hub of Indy’s Black culture.
While finishing high school and attending business school, Jones balanced work and studies, eventually buying out his parents in 1975. In the years since, Bar-B-Q Heaven has attracted celebrities like Redd Foxx, “Moms” Mabley, Alex Haley, and even Michael Jackson.
Jones still works 16-hour days between two locations, including one near his former childhood home.
“When people ask me about being in business for so long, I tell them: Make sure whatever you’re pursuing is something you truly enjoy,” says Jones, who remains devoted to serving the barbecue that allowed him to buy his first car at 15.
“I come to work every day and do what I love.”
(4) Barbecue. “My life’s work.” (5) My six kids. “Troy, Todd, Andre, Trina, Vanessa, and Lisa.”
Bar-B-Q Heaven is more than barbecue—it’s a testament to Indy’s dining history, traditions, and work ethic.
2515 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., 317-926-1667; 877 E. 30th St., 317-283-0035; barbqueheaven1952.com
FOODIE
ADVANCING THE ART OF HOME BUILDING™
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317 BBQ
A perfect gateway to brisket and baby back ribs, original chef/partner Josh Stoneking’s deviled eggs boast Sriracha, chives, bacon jam, and pickle juice for extra zing—and six halves per serving means there’s enough to share. Maybe. 6320 Guilford Ave., 317-744-0025, 317bbq.com
This Southern, coastalleaning spot keeps diners guessing by changing up the toppings with every order. Recent picks include smoked sausage, green tomato chutney, hot honey–drizzled plantain, and pimento cheese. 110 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-5919254, juniperonmain.com TASTE TEST
Speak of The Devil
CREAMY, TANGY, AND DUSTED WITH PAPRIKA, THIS PICNIC STAPLE ISN’T JUST A SUMMER DISH. GET YOUR EGG ON WITH SOME OF THESE LOCAL FAVORITES.
BY AMY LYNCH
Root & Bone
The secret-recipe “drunken” deviled Vital Farms eggs (from pasture-raised hens) owe their pretty pink hue and flavor to a quick dip in pickled beet juice before being served with dill, house-made root veggie chips, and a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt. 4601 N. College Ave., 317-602-8672, rootnboneindy.com
Juniper on Main
Late Harvest Kitchen
Chef Ryan Nelson breads and fries hard-boiled egg whites, then tops them with nduja and giardiniera. The result is “so popular I’m unable to take them off the menu,” he says. 8605 River Crossing Blvd., 317-663-8063, lateharvestkitchen.com
Ocean Prime
After whipping its deviled eggs’ yolks to fluffy perfection, Ocean Prime tops them with white truffle and caviar. Some might say this luxe and overthe-top presentation gilds the lily. We just think it’s delicious. 8555 N. River Rd., 317-569-0975, ocean-prime.com
Shapiro’s Great Aunt Fanny’s oldfashioned Russian recipe relies on mustard, relish, and restaurant-grade mayo, a classic that’s been a mainstay on the Shapiro’s menu for longer than many of its customers have been alive. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com
A ROLLICKING CLUB AND BRUNCH DESTINATION BREATHES FRESH LIFE INTO A STORIED INDY SPACE. BY TERRY KIRTS
THE FINE ART of midweek dining is alive and well, if a recent Tuesday evening at Shadow Lounge & Restaurant is any indication. Since its opening this summer in the former home of Marco’s Restaurant and Lounge, it’s not unusual to find every parking spot taken by diners and every table inside the restored space full.
It’s a big change for the building at 54th Street and Keystone Avenue, which since 2021 has stood vacant and dark. Of all the restaurants that thrived in Indy’s midtown in the 1980s, few were as beloved and enduring as Marco’s, where the martinis rarely stopped pouring and the homemade lasagna was always a good bet. Just say
the phrase “cheap meat,” and a legion of regulars will wax poetic about Tuesday nights when the perennial weekly special packed diners in for a 6-ounce filet, side, and salad, with a price tag barely crossing into double digits. When it closed after 36 years, it was hard to imagine that any restaurant could replace the void Marco’s left behind. Shadow Lounge has managed that feat thanks to manager and longtime music promoter Fred “Dookie” Leachman, who partnered with investor Stephen Pettigrew to oversee a yearlong renovation including new plumbing, new flooring, and a newly equipped kitchen for the building, which was also the home of Capri Italian Restaurant from 1963 to 1984. The Hot 100.9 FM DJs, including the popular DJ Reddy Rock, brought in to set the vibe, are another
SHADOW LOUNGE & RESTAURANT
2380 E. 54th St., 317-974-9288
shadowloungeindy.com
HOURS
Mon 6–11 p.m.; Tue–Sun 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
VIBE
All-day nightclub
TASTING NOTES
Soul food favorites with steakhouse ambitions, latenight bar bites, and generous weekend brunch platters paired with pitchers of mimosas and bloody marys.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Canterbury-Chatard
MUST-ORDER
Crispy-skinned bonein chicken wings with one of eight tasty sauces; juicy lamb lollipops with earthy smashed potatoes; flaky salmon atop gooey smoked gouda grits.
3-STAR RATING
draw. But the restaurant’s biggest appeal may be chef Tia Wilson, who recently ended a run on her own viral wing joint, Chicken Scratch, and has brought with her a crowd of loyal fans.
If you were one of those hungry patrons who waited just a few feet down Keystone Avenue at Chicken Scratch for breaded and “drenched” honey hot wings and shrimp alfredo fries, you already know Wilson’s talents extend well beyond takeout. I was one of those customers, and I was sad that franchising and quality control issues caused her location of Chicken Scratch to close (a downtown outpost remains,
but Wilson is unaffiliated). But in the meantime, Wilson met Leachman through some industry friends, and the pair got busy planning a place they felt Indy had yet to see.
“It’s definitely a lot of dishes I wanted on the menu,” Leachman says, “but with Tia’s ingredients and finesse. She’s a true gem to have on our team.”
Leachman knew a weekend brunch with great music was a must, and Wilson’s daytime offerings deliver on his dream with hearty platters and an innovative take on chicken and waffles, with chicken strips and light, airy red velvet waffles. Moist, flaky salmon is
another standout, generously plated over ultra-creamy smoked gouda grits.
My Tuesday night dinner was even more evidence of Wilson’s culinary chops. The wings, though perhaps a bit too generously drenched in a thick garlic-parmesan sauce, were just as crispy and succulent as I remember from Chicken Scratch. Seafood egg rolls came stuffed with shrimp, crab, and tangy cheese.
Wilson’s lamb lollipops were the stars of the meal, served on a bed of chunky, skin-on mashed potatoes. Mac and cheese was equally savory and golden around the edges, though it might have benefitted from more cream and less oil. (Still, we ate it all.) Penne in a rich, boldly spiced Cajun cream sauce tossed with blackened chicken, sweet peppers, and andouille sausage was a nod to the former Marco’s menu, with a character all its own.
The dessert menu was slightly less assured: A miniature cast-iron skillet peach cobbler was well-flavored but overly soupy. It hardly mattered, though, as we were already full, as well as cheered by the welcoming service and atmosphere.
Whether Leachman, Wilson, and their staff have 36 years of a restaurant in them is yet to be seen. But if all the well-dressed diners snagging reservations for birthday brunches and celebration dinners are any indication, Shadow Lounge is well on its way.
Clockwise from left: Staffer Ashanti Hawthorne in the Shadow Lounge dining room; chicken wings; Cajun chicken pasta; chef Tia Wilson.
By Christina Vercelletto
We’ve heard it many times, and you probably have, too. In the effort to declutter, look at all your belongings through two lenses: Have you used it in the last year? Does it bring you joy? Nope, and nah? Then it goes. Grasping that concept is the start, but then comes the hard part. In case you haven’t heard, today’s younger generation has no interest in inheriting their acquisitive parents’ stuff. Baccarat wine goblets, the Arhaus storage ottoman, your Precious Moments figurines; they want none of it. So what exactly do you do with this first-world surplus? Sending it to a landfill is the last resort. Here, discover how simple it is to donate, recycle … or even sell it.
Illustrations By Peter Crowther
Bathroom and Kitchen
BUILD MOMENTUM BY STARTING IN THESE ROOMS. THE ITEMS HERE ARE USUALLY THE LEAST EMOTIONALLY CHARGED IN THE HOME. THAT MAKES THEM EASIEST TO PART WITH.
BATHROOM
Health Equipment
Smaller medical and wellness products like CPAP machines, humidifiers, vaporizers, thermometers, nail scissors, and bandages can be dropped off at the local office of FAME (fameworld.org). They’ll be sent around the globe to provide humanitarian care.
and more will be put to good use by Dress for Success (indydfs .org). The organization outfits women so they feel confident on job interviews, and beauty products play an often-overlooked part. Or … Used products might harbor bacteria, so unless the packaging is recyclable, you’ll have to toss it. MAC and Josie Maran use recyclable containers. Check the packaging of other brands to see if they’re recyclable. Nail polish is a different animal. That needs to go to ToxDrop (indy .gov/activity/hazardouswaste-dropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty.in.gov/ 262/householdhazardous-waste).
Medications
FAME (fameworld .org) always needs unexpired over-thecounter medicine and health products, from Tylenol and allergy pills to antibiotic cream and vitamins. Reach out for a cardboard pharmacy box and instructions. Or … Many local pharmacies take leftover prescription drugs for safe disposal. Go to safe.pharmacy/ drug-disposal to find the one nearest you.
Toiletries
If you unearth new toiletries like bodywash, shampoo, and conditioner, several local charities would love for you to donate them. Those include John Boner Neighborhood Centers (jbn centers.org), Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (maryrigg.org), The Julian Center (julian center.org), and Coburn Place (coburnplace.org).
Towels
In its mission to help struggling veterans, HVAF of Indiana (hvafofindiana.org/ take-action/donateitems) welcomes donations of hand, bath, and beach towels in good condition. Or … Animal shelters commonly need a continuous supply of towels. Contact your nearest rescue to check.
KITCHEN Appliances
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (indyrestore .com) picks up working kitchen appliances for their low-cost home improvement stores, the proceeds of which go to helping build and repair houses for low-income individuals.
Hot Hair Tools
The Harbor Light Center (centralusa .salvationarmy.org/ harborlightindiana), which helps women overcome addictions, wants your working hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners.
Makeup
Unopened blush, lipstick, eye shadow,
Perfume
Brand-new fragrances are accepted by The Gifted Gown (the giftedgown.org). Perfumes that have been opened and used need to go to ToxDrop (indy .gov/activity/hazardouswaste-dropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty. in.gov/262/householdhazardous-waste).
Batteries
The only safe option is to take them to ToxDrop (indy.gov/activity/ hazardous-wastedropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty .in.gov/262/householdhazardous-waste).
Cleaning Supplies
Have you been buying glass cleaner, dish soap, and toilet bowl
Magic Wands
Mail used-up mascara wands to nonprofit Wands for Wildlife. They’ll be used to groom birds and baby animals in rehabilitation. wandsforwildlife.org
cleaner every time it’s on sale? The Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (maryrigg.org), IndyHumane (indy humane.org), or the Mars Hill Arts Center (marshillarts.com) will gladly take the surplus off your hands.
Cookware
Pots and pans are among the most needed items at the Good Samaritan Network (gsnlive.org) and the Merciful Help Center (mercifulhelpcenter .org/item-donations).
Dishes/Drinking Glasses/Mugs/Cutlery Bring them to the Good Samaritan Network (gsnlive.org) or the
off at the WonderLab: Museum of Science, Health, and Technology (wonderlab.org).
Food, Human and Pet HVAF of Indiana (hvaf ofindiana.org/takeaction/donate-items) needs nonperishable food, especially peanut butter, jelly, pasta, and pasta sauce, as well as canned stew, chicken, and tuna. Second Helpings (second helpings.org) takes not only nonperishables but also fresh and frozen food. Have a can of pate or a bag of kibble your persnickety puss or discriminating dog won’t eat? IndyHumane (indyhumane.org) can always use cat and dog food.
Small Appliances and Kitchen Tools
Merciful Help Center (mercifulhelpcenter.org/ item-donations), both of which will use them to aid needy people in Hamilton County.
Eclipse Glasses
Still have a pair (or four) in the junk drawer? Eclipses happen every year all over the world. Astronomers Without Borders (astronomers withoutborders.org) sends eclipse glasses to folks in Africa, Asia, and South America. Mail them to any of the organization’s collection partners listed on the website. Or if you’re going to be in Bloomington, you can drop them
Functioning coffee grinders and makers, blenders, toasters, and stand mixers, as well as gadgets, such as can openers, graters, and whisks are all on the wish list at Coburn Place (coburnplace.org).
The John Boner Neighborhood Centers (jbncenter.org) are another good alternative in this category. Or … Zore’s Recycling (zoresrecycling.com) will pay you for the value of the usable scrap metal contained in your unwanted kitchen equipment.
Tablecloths
Take your laundered, unstained tablecloths, runners, and placemats to The Julian Center (juliancenter.org), Catholic Charities (helpcreatehope .org), or Coburn Place (coburnplace.org).
one friend’s trash is ...
We all have a drawer full of gifts that weren’t right for us. January is the perfect time to host a regifting swap. That steamer your mother-in-law gave you at Christmas—“It looks like you could use one, sweetie”—may be just what your neighbor needs.
» Post-holidays is the ideal time to host a gifting get-together for friends or neighbors you never got around to seeing during the busy festive season. Take time to relax and catch up, first and foremost.
» Nibbles and bubbles are a must, but be mindful that some folks may have opted for a “dry January.” Be sure to offer bubbly apple cider or a mocktail.
» For a group of 10 or more, designate a table for the gifts. This is an easy way to handle the treasure hunting when there is a bounty to browse.
» At a small soiree where everyone knows each other, make it a classic gift exchange with a wrapped gift presented to a particular person. An apron for the friend who loves to bake! (You barely turn on the stove.) A box of gourmet nuts for the foodie! (You’re allergic).
» A third option that works for any group is to have each attendee bring one wrapped gift for a white elephant exchange. Go on, steal the rechargeable hand warmer! And share any funny stories about the gift or the original giver. There has to be a story behind that game of toilet golf.
In Defense of my Clutter
His Broad Ripple home is packed with too much stuff
But this middle-aged dad has finally recognized the emotions that make it hard to let go. BY SAM STALL
TTHE INTERNATIONAL OCD Foundation lists eight signs of compulsive hoarding, beginning with “difficulty getting rid of items” and ending with “refusing to let people into the home to make repairs.”
Where do I fall on this spectrum? Thankfully, I’m not the furthest gone, as a few weeks ago I permitted a plumber to fix a leaky basement pipe. (Bonus points: he didn’t have to crawl over anything to reach it.)
However, the Camel Saddle Incident, as it has come to be known, did raise a red flag. The item in question was a for-real dromedary accessory, acquired by my ex-wife at an auction. The two of us enjoyed attending auctions on weekends. As we drove home with it in the back seat, we realized how for-real it was: It had done hard labor on a for-real camel. Perhaps a caravan of them, judging from the cloying stench that filled our vehicle.
Anyone other than me would have thrown it away. But instead,
I put it in our garage, where it moldered, untouched, for the better part of the 1990s. I am aware that this incident alone qualifies me as, if not a true hoarder, an old-school pack rat. That’s not news. I long ago accepted the fact that I hang onto things for far too long: clothing, books, all manner of keepsakes, my son’s toys, even my marriage, which I let linger for years past its sell-by date.
I don’t share my living room with stacks of empty margarine tubs or leaf bags full of unopened junk mail, but I nevertheless own plenty of things that I don’t have any reason for keeping. Because most of it isn’t kept for a reason. It’s kept for a feeling.
For instance, I still have my son’s first Halloween costume, the one he wore at age 13 months. We dressed him as a dog. At the time, I still saw him as an infant. But that evening he clutched my hand and toddled over to our across-thestreet neighbors, a sweet elderly couple who took an interest in him. They gave him a Hershey’s bar and a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and told him, directly, how cute he looked. That was the first time, of many to come, that I realized just how quickly he was growing.
That was almost two decades ago. My son is a man. The kindly neighbors are both long gone. But the puppy costume remains, neatly folded in the bottom drawer of my bedroom dresser, infused with nostalgia and the vague scent of fabric softener.
My humble household brims with many such objects, including rooster-and-hen salt and pepper shakers that my dad always liked for some reason; many old garments that I’m too fat to wear but that remind me of a time when I wasn’t, and my son’s toys … let’s say more than a few, OK? … from Nerf guns (so many Nerf guns) to Legos. All are relics of a time when there were more possibilities for me, more loved ones around me, and so many more hours and days and years yet to come.
Of course, none of it means
anything to anyone but me. Why would it? If you didn’t experience the moments that made them special, these artifacts are nothing but clutter. If you want to know the hard truth, watch when the home of a deceased person, filled with curios, gets cleaned out in an afternoon by a flipper who puts a dumpster on the front lawn.
The irony is that when I finally pass away, my son will likely do the same thing with my stuff. It will mean nothing to him, which is fine. Perhaps I should just buck up and save him the trouble. Maybe I should have a garage sale. Or a bonfire. Or both.
But back to the malodorous saddle. It had a story almost as potent as its smell. It was a memento from the second-to-last encounter my ex-wife and I had with “our auction friend,” an affable guy we often ran into at sales. He gave her the saddle as a joke. Not long afterward, we saw him at another sale. He was happily bidding away when he dropped dead from a massive heart attack.
I didn’t know him all that well, but I went to his viewing so I could tell his widow that he died quickly and painlessly while doing what he loved. I was proud of myself for that. That was part of the reason I kept the saddle, because it reminded me of one of the handful of times in my life that I did the absolute right thing.
I know I’m capable of parting with a sentimental object if there’s a good enough reason. The proof? I found the intestinal fortitude to discard the saddle. I would like to say I did it because I realized one doesn’t need an oddball memento to remember a good experience. Or because it hit me that happy stories live on in our thoughts and our hearts, and that things are, at the end of the day, just things.
But here’s the real good enough reason: I couldn’t stand the smell anymore. Had it not been for that, I know the damn thing would still be here, telling its story over and over, one more memory among so many others.
Main Area
WHETHER IT’S A LIVING ROOM, BUSY DEN, OR STATELY GREAT ROOM, DISPATCHING ITS NUGATORY CONTENTS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
Antique Furniture and Collectibles
Madison Street Salvage (fhisalvage.org), which preserves and restores architectural treasures including The Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, will be thrilled to get your good-quality older furniture.
Or … If your period pieces are rare or in high demand, the services of Christy’s of Indiana (christys .com) or Ripley Auctions (ripleyauctions .com) may be worth considering. They can also take care of any collectibles you’re ready to part with, say, a vintage radio or a complete set of original Fiesta dinnerware.
Art
Was a painting more inspiring in the gallery? Does that link sculpture now seem less chic and more like a ball and chain? Clear the decks (and walls) by gifting your unwanted artwork to John Boner Neighborhood Centers (jbncenters.org).
Or … Wickliff Auctioneers (bidwickliff.com) specializes in highervalue art.
Cameras
Haven’t taken a picture with an actual camera since 2019? Snap to it then. The proceeds from the sale of your old camera will help Wheeler Mission (wheelermission.org)
provide, among other important services, skills training for those who need a leg up.
Or … If you have a high-end, recent-model camera, you might want to get an appraisal at Roberts Camera (robertscamera.com).
Craft Supplies
Don’t have as much time these days to get crafty as you did during the pandemic? Bring those baskets and boxes of materials to the Boys & Girls Clubs (bgcindy.org), Teachers’ Treasures (teachers treasures.org), or the YMCA (indymca.org)
Crayons
Crayons are a petroleum product and turn into a waxy sludge in landfills that takes years to biodegrade. Send those crayons that haven’t been touched in years— pieces are perfectly fine—to the National Crayon Recycle Program (nationalcrayon recycleprogram.org). They’ll transform them into pretty, new crayons for kids in vulnerable situations. Or … Bring them (colored pencils too) to your nearest Staples store to be recycled (stores.staples.com).
Curtains and Drapes
New window treatments? Bestow your old curtains and drapes on either Habitat for
Humanity ReStore (indyrestore.com) or Wheeler Mission (wheelermission.org).
Furniture
Many nonprofits want furniture in good condition. Among the choices are Habitat for Humanity ReStore (indyrestore .com), the Damien Center (damien.org), and Coburn Place (coburn place.org). Teachers’ Treasures (teachers treasures.org) welcomes small furnishings, such as kid-size tables and chairs. The Mustard Seed of Central Indiana (mustard seedindy.org) especially needs end tables and coffee tables for their furniture bank.
Lamps
Working lamps and light fixtures can brighten the lives of the folks shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (indyrestore .com). The Mustard Seed of Central Indiana (mustardseedindy.org) is another great option.
Mirrors
Mirrors are tricky. They can’t be recycled with glass because of their special coating, and many charitable organizations don’t take them because of the potential for breakage. But The Julian Center (juliancenter.org) does, as long as they’re not cracked and the coating isn’t peeling.
Music and Movies
The Julian Center (juliancenter.org) takes DVDs, CDs, cassettes, and—believe it or not— 8-track tapes.
Or … Luna Music (luna music.net) buys LPs in original jackets in the genres of rock, pop, soul, jazz, indie, R&B, and hip-hop.
Pet Supplies
Pampered pooches and kitties can quickly stockpile accessories like leashes, collars, beds, and playthings. IndyHumane (indy humane.org) accepts donations of clean pet beds, as well as dog collars and leashes. The Humane Society for Hamilton County (hamiltonhumane.com) will take Kong toys and cat wand toys off their paws.
Rugs
It can be difficult to find an organization to donate large rugs to, because they’re unwieldy (and worse, can transport bed bugs). But Wheeler
Vases Wanted
Random Acts of Flowers delivers bouquets in vases to patients in health care facilities. rafindy.org/ donate-vases
Mission (wheeler mission.org) takes clean area or throw rugs in sellable condition. Or … If you hate to abandon what was once a beautiful rug, Joseph’s Oriental Rug Imports (josephs imports.com) may well be able to restore it.
Sewing Supplies
Hope Center (hope centerindy.org) women’s shelter wants portable sewing machines, poly-fil, thread, and more for its Sew Hopeful program. Baxter YMCA (indymca .org/baxter) seeks fabric and sewing notions for its quilting circle, which makes blankets for preemies. For its part, Wheeler Mission (wheelermission.org) wants skeins of yarn.
Stereos and Turntables
Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures.org) turns music-makers into teaching tools. Or … With newish gear you’d prefer to try to sell, check with Luna Music (lunamusic.net).
TVs
Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures.org) takes working TVs. Or … Recycle them through End of Life Electronics Midwest (eolemidwest.com). TVs aren’t accepted at ToxDrop collection events.
Video Game Consoles Donate consoles, along with game cartridges and discs, to the Boys & Girls Clubs (bcgindy.org). Or … Wait for the Zoo’s (indianapoliszoo.com) Power Recycling Day in the fall.
Garage
TIME TO HEAD OUTSIDE—AND GRAB YOUR PARTNER. DISCARDING SOMEONE ELSE’S STUFF WITHOUT THEM ON BOARD RARELY ENDS WELL.
Air Conditioners
Habitat for Humanity
ReStore (indyrestore .com) is on the lookout for working air conditioners to sell. The stores keep usable goods out of the waste stream while at the same time funding Habitat’s well-known community improvement work.
Bicycles
Your trusty old bike can provide solid trans-
portation for someone who really needs it. Freewheelin’ Community Bikes (freewheelin bikes.org) will either refurbish it or break it down for parts. Either way, you know it’ll serve a great purpose.
Camping Equipment
Was that one rainy weekend enough of the outdoor life for you?
Boy Scouts of America (joinscoutsin.org)—no surprise there—is well-
their store and use the proceeds to feed and shelter our neighbors.
Dog Houses and Crates
Training crates and plastic and igloo-style dog houses, especially for bigger breeds, allow FIDO (fidoindy.org) to help dog owners care for their canines.
Exercise Equipment
Give your fancy clothesline … er, treadmill … to Wheeler Mission (wheeler mission.org). Those, along with the other investment of every well-intentioned soul, the stationary bike, will be sold to support their outreach to people who are experiencing homelessness. Or … If you only used it once and it cost a pretty penny, you can always see what Play It Again Sports (playitagain sports.com) will pay you for it.
Fire Extinguishers
suited to relieve you of the soggy memories. Consider giving sleeping bags to The PourHouse (pourhouse .org). They always need them for their clients.
Car Batteries
Recycle them at Interstate Batteries (inter statebatteries.com/ locations/interstatebatteries-ofindianapolis).
Coolers
Again, the detritus of your foray into camping can go to the Boy Scouts of America (joinscoutsin.org). Clean coolers are also welcomed by Wheeler Mission (wheelermission .org). They’ll sell it in
Gardening
Tools
Loppers, and trowels, and bulb planters, oh, bye! Noble of Indiana (mynoblelife.org), which provides services for people with disabilities and their families, takes unrusted garden equipment, as does Wheeler Mission (wheelermission.org). Fertilizer is another matter and needs to go to ToxDrop (indy .gov/activity/hazardouswaste-dropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty .in.gov/262/householdhazardous-waste).
Holiday Decorations
Don’t get rid of a fire extinguisher unless you’ve bought a new one to replace it. Then you should bring your expired or nonfunctioning one down to ToxDrop (indy.gov/ activity/hazardouswaste-dropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty .in.gov/262/householdhazardous-waste) for proper disposal.
Folding Tables and Chairs
The logic: A folding table always comes in handy. And it’s on sale! The result: Three gathering dust in the garage. Donate the extras to the Boys and Girls Clubs (bgcindy.org).
Recycle old string lights through the HolidayLEDs (holiday leds.com) program, or if you’re catching one of the last days of Christmas at the Zoo (indianapoliszoo.com), you can drop them in the special bin at the front entrance instead. The Julian Center (juliancenter.org) takes ornaments and other types of decorations. Find this year’s dropoff locations for natural Christmas trees at indy .gov/activity/christmastree-disposal.
Lawn Mowers
The Boy Scouts of America (joinscoutsin .org) can use mowers for their many outdoor service projects. The Boys and Girls Clubs (bgcindy.org) and Habitat for Humanity ReStore (indyrestore .com) will also be glad to get a working lawn mower.
Packing Material
Have empty boxes been sitting stacked in a corner since you moved
in? Assuming they’re still sturdy, load them up in the car, as well as bubble wrap and any other packing materials, and leave them in the care of John Boner Neighborhood Centers (jbncenters.org).
Paint and Varnishes
Never put these in the trash. Protect our environment, especially our waterways, by bringing them to ToxDrop (indy .gov/activity/hazardouswaste-dropoff-sites; in Hamilton County, go to hamiltoncounty .in.gov/262/householdhazardous-waste).
Snow Blowers
Habitat for Humanity
ReStore (indyrestore .com) will welcome your working snow blower. It’ll play a part in the story of a grateful new homeowner.
Straw Bales
FIDO (fidoindy.org) uses straw to keep outside dogs warm and make their quarters more comfortable. Just make sure the bales are dry.
Tools
Tools of all types are always in high demand at Habitat for Humanity
ReStore (indyrestore .com) and the Wheeler Mission (wheeler mission.org) store.
Wood Doors, Windows, and Flooring
The donation-based Madison Street Salvage (fhisalvage.org) is eager to receive goodquality, older wood doors (along with the hardware), windows, and flooring for their historic restoration projects in and around Franklin.
Press the Easy Button
Just want the flotsam gone, fast? Here are five organizations that will come and cart off a wide array of goods. BY
AMVETS
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
GABRIELA BELL
WHO THEY ARE WHAT THEY TAKE WHAT THEY DON’T GET IN TOUCH
The goal is to support American veterans through their thrift stores that sell donated goods. The proceeds allow them to provide programs for those who served our country.
Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana helps Hoosiers become economically selfsufficient through education and job training. Donations help community members get a leg up in life.
An international organization dedicated to offering personal services to those living on the margins or experiencing homelessness.
Gently used clothing; household items; furniture; electronics
Firearms; cans of paint; large appliances
Clothing; household goods; furniture; appliances; books; toys; video game consoles; computers (for recycling, not resale)
Cribs; car seats; mattresses; air conditioners
Email ilcustomerservice@ donatestuff.com or call 708-388-7800. Mention you’d like your donation to benefit AMVETS and choose a convenient pickup day.
Household items; clean furniture; vehicles
A Christian-based organization that provides rent and utility assistance, shelters those experiencing homelessness, runs food pantries, and extends disaster relief.
A commercial haulaway company for homes and businesses.
Gas or builtin appliances; automobile parts; cans of paint, TVs more than five years old
Go to goodwillindy .org/donate for a list of drop-off locations or to schedule a pickup.
Just about anything, including refrigerators; freezers; carpets; mattresses; springboards; furniture; TVs
Anything hazardous or that can’t be lifted by two crew members
Go to svdpindy.org to locate a drop-off bin or to arrange a pickup. You can also bring your donation to their distribution center at 1201 E. Maryland St., dock door 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Call 800-728-7825 or visit satruck .org/donate/choose to schedule a free pickup or locate your closest dropoff location.
Call 877-4708980 or go to 1800gotjunk.com to book or to schedule an on-site estimate. Price is based on how much room your items will take up in the truck.
For Sale By Owner
Here, learn what is worth your time to try to sell and how to go about it.
BY AMY LYNCH
TThat’ll be worth something someday, you thought. Someday has arrived and … maybe that purchase didn’t appreciate in value so much. In decades past, items like collectibles and vintage jewelry were harder to find, and so they were worth more. Such goods languished in closets as owners didn’t know quite what to do with them. Now, with the proliferation of online marketplaces, you can find heaps of Bakelite bangles, Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Kids, military relics, and Hummels at any given time, all priced to make you wonder if it’s even worth the bother to sell yours. But, of course, exceptions exist. And that’s where these guidelines and tips can help.
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Take sentimental value out of the equation. You’re probably not going to net what you think your beloved grandma’s dish set is worth. Also, get up to speed on trends. Midcentury modern chairs, tables, and lamps? Hot. Heavy wood antique bedroom sets? Not. Sometimes what’s commanding top dollar can seem arbitrary. Uranium glass currently has a following, unlike milk glass and carnival glass, which are arguably more attractive.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Search online for similar items. Remember that the initial listing price can be considerably higher than what the item ultimately goes for, and the latter is what counts. Let’s say you have a set of 1960s Tupperware to sell. On eBay, after entering “Tupperware set” in the search bar, click Advanced Search just to the right, and then Completed Listings. You’ll be able to see both how much sets like yours wound up selling for, as well as listings that closed without a sale, which is also telling. You can do the same on Facebook Marketplace. After you hit search, new filters will show up on the left side, including Availability. Choose Sold.
KNOW WHEN TO CALL ON THE EXPERTS. If you have goods on the order of a perfect Mad Men-era cocktail set, a solid sterling silver tea set, an extensive coin collection, or baseball cards in mint condition, visit an antiques dealer or auction house like Christy’s of Indiana (christys.com) or Ripley Auctions (ripleyauctions.com) for an appraisal. If you can’t go in person, they’ll want you to send photos of makers’ marks and any other proof of authenticity you have. If they pass, listing online can be your backup plan. Fine jewelry that is no longer your style (or came from the ex you just unfriended)? Both Moyer Fine Jewelers (moyerfinejewelers.com) and Reis-Nichols Jewelers (reisnichols.com) will evaluate it and potentially pay cash on the spot.
SELL ONLINE THE SMART WAY. Do your treasure justice with clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles and a jazzy description. Be completely straightforward, though, about its condition and any flaws. Once your listing goes live, the number of views it’s getting will quickly tell you the interest it’s generating. If your piece doesn’t go within a couple weeks, consider dropping the price. As a general rule, the more time that passes, the more unlikely it is to sell.
OR STAY LOCAL. Listing nationally draws more eyeballs but doesn’t necessarily equate to a quicker sale. And with large pieces that can’t be shipped, it usually isn’t a viable option. So dust and polish that antique sideboard and consider staging it with a pretty dish collection, a vase of colorful flowers, or crisp white linens peeking out of a drawer. Don’t be timid about negotiating lowball offers: It’s expected. Just be sure to decide on the rock-bottom amount you’ll take beforehand. If you’ve got a lot to get rid of, having prospective buyers view it all in one fell swoop saves time and trouble. Let someone else do the work by enlisting an auction house. Some hold dedicated sales throughout the year, specifically for, say, art, dolls, jewelry, vintage advertising and promotional pieces, and antique tools. For large estates, it can be wise to use a liquidator like Blue Moon Estate Sales (bluemoonestatesales.com/indy-north) to organize it all in return for a percent of the proceeds.
EITHER WAY, BEWARE OF SCAMS. Check the profiles of prospective buyers. A brand-new account, or one with sparse details and few posts, is a red flag. Limit your communication to the online platform. Never give out your phone number, even—especially—if the buyer “needs to send a code for confirmation.” Paypal, Venmo, and Zelle make transactions quick, act as receipts, and provide a paper trail if needed later. And this may go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Never share your banking information or meet a buyer alone, unless it’s in a public place.
Office
THIS ONE SHOULD BE EASY. IN THE DIGITAL AGE, HOME WORK SPACES NEED LESS TO EQUIP THEM THAN EVER.
Books and Audiobooks
Box them up—they won’t take them in bags—and tote them down to an Indianapolis Public Library ( indypl.org) location. The limit is four boxes. If you have one or two boxes, you can drop them off right at your local branch. Three or four boxes need to be brought to the Indy Library Store at the Library Services Center downtown.
Computers
Pass your desktop or laptop along to the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy.org) or Computers With Causes (computers withcauses.org), which will move it along to an individual or organization that needs it. Just a reminder: Even when donating to trustworthy organizations like these, wipe everything off your computer before handing it over. Or … Recycle it safely through End of Life Electronics Midwest (eolemidwest.com).
DVD Players
This relic of prestreaming days still has a use in the hands of the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy.org) Or … You can also watch for the Power Recycling Day at the Indianapolis Zoo ( indianapoliszoo.com) in the fall, when you can drop off anything
with a plug except large appliances.
Eyeglasses
The Lions Club still matches glasses with folks who are waiting for them. Whether you have pairs with old prescriptions or a glut of readers, drop them into the bin at a Walmart Vision Center or bring them to a local Lions Club. Find the closest one to you at lionsclubs.org/en/ start-our-approach/ club-locator.
Filing Cabinets
You probably don’t have that many file folders anymore, but the educators who visit the free store of Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures.org) still have creative uses for filing cabinets.
Hearing Aids
Change lives by sending them to the Hearing Aid Project ( hearingaiddonations .org/give-an-aid ).
Magazines
Whether it’s your dad’s collection of National Geographic or a towering stack of People or Vogue, educators “shopping” at Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures.org) free store will snap them up for classroom projects. Or … You can recycle magazines with other paper products in your curbside recycling bin.
Miscellaneous Supplies
Scissors, dry-erase boards and markers, mousepads, staples, pens, sticky notes … Offi ce supplies somehow seem to multiply over the years. Take the surfeit to John Boner Neighborhood Centers ( jbncenters .org), the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy.org), or IndyHumane ( indy humane.org). The latter may not be the first place you’d go to, but they reduce operating expenses by accepting donated offi ce supplies (they even take empty copy paper boxes for the kittens).
Old Paperwork
Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana (crimetips.org) hosts
document shredding events throughout the year at various Indianapolis-area locations.
Or … Anything without personal information, like notes, flyers, brochures, and junk mail, can go right into curbside recycling bins for paper products.
Paperweights
The desks of 2025 may not often see stacks of papers that need to be corralled, but attractive glass paperweights can be lovely little pieces of decor. Some people collect them. Thus, Wheeler Mission (wheeler mission.org) can sell them to support their worthy programs. Goodwill ( goodwillindy .org) will take them as well.
Or … Is it a rather ugly, promotional specimen? Just trash it. Unfortunately, paperweights are not made of the type of glass that can be recycled.
Phones
Now that you’re the proud owner of an iPhone 16, don’t let your old phone fester in a desk drawer.
Share it with The Julian Center ( julian center.org) or Coburn Place (coburnplace .org), which will leverage your gift to help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives. Or consider the World Computer Exchange as a recipient. The organization refurbishes cellphones (and laptops) and then donates them to schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals in developing countries (worldcomputer exchange.org). Or … Drop it off at any Staples store ( staples .com) for recycling. You don’t need an appointment. (Regardless of where your phone winds up, make sure all your personal data is cleared before it gets there.)
Meaningful Messages
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children wants greeting cards, either new with envelopes or just the front of used ones. stjudesranch.org/recycled-card-program
Attic
Board Games and Puzzles
Your local YMCA ( indy mca.org) and the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy .org) are always glad to get their hands on classic entertainment for their programs. But double check the box first. Missing pieces are no fun for anyone.
Boy Scout Uniforms and Paraphernalia
Aside from the duds, other accoutrements of scouting, like patches, pins, and walking sticks, can return from whence they came: the Boy Scouts of America ( joinscoutsin.org). They’ll come in handy for a kid who can’t aff ord to buy new.
Cribs and Toddler Beds
It can be hard to find a recipient for a used crib or toddler bed owing to potential safety concerns. But The Julian Center ( juliancenter.org), devoted to giving survivors of domestic abuse a safe place to heal, takes them as long as they were
manufactured after July 2011.
Game Tables
Did your kids beg for a pingpong table one Christmas only to lay down their paddles by February? The Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy .org) will give it and other game tables like foosball to someone who will enjoy them. Habitat for Humanity ReStore ( indyrestore .com) takes them too.
Luggage
Donate it to Thrifty Threads ( juliancenter .org/thrifty-threads), the thrift store operated by The Julian Center in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women. People who have little or no personal belongings after escaping abusive relationships are invited to “shop” there. Excess items are sold to the public to help fund the center’s programs. Another worthy benefactor of your used-once Samsonite set is Wheeler Mission (wheelermission.org). The nonprofi t runs a store, the proceeds of WITH FRESH RESOLVE, ATTACK THIS TYPICALLY CRAMMED SPACE. YOU’VE GOT THIS, ONE PIECE OF JETSAM AT A TIME.
Baby Gear
Do you have a stroller, car seat, playpen, or high chair in great condition with all its parts? The Little Timmy Project (little timmy.org) wants it for The Little Mom Shop, its free pantry of baby essentials.
Backpacks and Tote Bags
Beanbags/ Child-Size Chairs
The Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy.org) will make good use of all your petite seats.
The Boy Scouts of America ( joinscoutsin .org) is happy to take your backpacks that are in good shape. Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures .org), a group that equips Marion County teachers and students for success, also gratefully accepts them, along with totes.
Out of Key
Not tinkling the ivories much anymore? Pianos, given their heft, can be tough to get rid of. Try listing it on pianoadoption .com/free-pianos
Memories Reborn
Can’t bear to part with your teen’s baby clothes or your concert tees from college days? Fashion them into a quilt with the help of downtown “modern quilter” Crimson Tate. crimsontate.com
which provide meals and shelter to those experiencing homelessness.
Medals
Remove the ribbon from a marathon, halfmarathon, or triathlon medal, or one earned by a kid, and bring it to Medals4Mettle ( medals4mettle.org/ donate). They’ll add a special ribbon and present it to cheer a child or adult fi ghting a debilitating disease.
Musical Instruments
Did your kid swear they’d practice the violin but were only stringing you along? Give it to the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy .org). Forgotten instruments are music to their ears. If you don’t mind shipping it, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation ( mhopus .org), a worthy organization dedicated to furthering music education in public schools, is another
someone who couldn’t aff ord to buy new. (They take tuxes too.)
School Uniforms
St. Elizabeth | Coleman Pregnancy & Adoption Services ( givingbirthtohope.org) wants them in sizes 5T to 16. They will also take gently used separates that commonly serve as uniforms, such as khaki pants and white polo shirts.
Space Heaters
option to consider. Or … If you happen to have an expensive, virtually new instrument, you may want to see what it’ll fetch at Arthur’s Music Store (arthursmusic.com).
Old Photos
Straightaway, cull the crummy pictures and all the duplicate prints. Then take another look through the box. If you have Indianarelated photos of a notable place, person, or event, the Indiana State Library may be interested in those for its photograph collection. Email Victoria Duncan, rare books and manuscripts supervisor (vduncan@ library.in.gov).
Prom Gowns
It may have cost a fortune, but a prom gown is still a hard sell. So make someone’s night instead by passing it on to The Gifted Gown (thegiftedgown.org). They’ll get it to
Wedding Gowns
Warm someone’s home and heart by donating it to Habitat for Humanity ReStore ( indyrestore.com). Or … End of Life Electronics Midwest (eolemidwest.com) will recycle it for you.
Sports Equipment
Tennis rackets, baseball bats and gloves, golf clubs, and more can go to the Boys & Girls Clubs ( bgcindy .org) or your local YMCA ( indymca.org). Or … Play It Again Sports ( playitagain sports.com) buys select pieces of sporting equipment in excellent condition.
Swim Goggles
Like-new swim goggles can be donated to Thrifty Threads ( juliancenter.org/ thrifty-threads).
Toys
Clean and complete toys are welcome at Noble of Indiana ( mynoblelife.org), which serves people with disabilities and their families, and Teachers’ Treasures (teacherstreasures .org).
Brides Across America ( bridesacrossamerica .com) gifts gowns less than four years old to members of the military and first responders for their big day. It also accepts veils and headpieces. An especially meaningful option is to give it to Little Angel Gowns (littleangelgowns.org). The group uses them to make beautiful burial attire for newborns as gifts for grieving parents.
Wheelchairs
A wheelchair is an incredible gift for someone who needs one. The LifeNets Wheelchair Project (lifenets.org/wheel chair) will match your donation with the right recipient.
Pelts with a Purpose
Grit & Grace Farm and Wildlife Rehabilitation cuts up old fur coats, stoles, and hats to make blankets for convalescing creatures. gritgracewildliferehab.com PETA, meanwhile, will give them to folks experiencing homelessness. peta.org
Bedroom and Clothing
YOUR CLOSET MAY SEEM DAUNTING, BUT PUSH ON. YOU’RE ALMOST THERE!
BEDROOM
Bedding
Donate to The Julian Center ( juliancenter .org), which especially needs twin-size sheets, mattress covers, and blankets to aid victims of domestic violence, or Catholic Charities ( helpcreate hope.org).
Mattress
Few organizations will accept used mattresses. But The Mustard Seed of Central Indiana ( mustard seedindy.org
queen-size or smaller mattresses as long as they aren’t ripped or stained.
Or … if you have a king-size mattress or any that’s not in excellent condition, dragging it to the curb is your only option, unfortunately. Go to indy.gov/activity/trashpickup to find your neighborhood’s heavy trash day.
CLOTHING
fortunate when it arrives at Thrifty Threads ( juliancenter .org/thrifty-threads).
Or … If you’re not ready to part with a favorite piece but it needs a little TLC, take it to Carmel Tailoring and Fine Clothier (carmel tailoring.com) or Centos Shoes & Repairs (centoshoes.com), both of which repair leather.
Shoes
Looking To Consign?
If your wardrobe contains high-end designer brands, you can purge and make a bit of money if you’re willing to work with a consignment shop. Of course, more caveats apply here than when donating:
» Clothing must be pristine and in excellent condition. No loose or missing buttons, for example.
» You’ll need to plan ahead. Shops usually take clothes one season in advance. So right now is when you want to consign spring garb. Save the winter duds for next September.
» Hang each item on a separate hanger, or at least fold them up neatly inside a clean box. Consignment shops do not look kindly on clothes stuffed into big black garbage bags.
» Be prepared to take a few of your discards back home; many consigners are only in the market for certain brands or styles at any given time.
Right Fit
The Bra Recyclers sends gentlyused bras to shelters, schools, foster programs, and other nonprofits serving women and girls all over the world. thebra recyclers.com
Casual and Professional Dress for Success Indianapolis ( indydfs .org) always needs interview-appropriate clothing for women, especially in larger sizes. The PourHouse pourhouse.org) happily accepts donations of casual wear. In both cases, pieces should be freshly laundered and in good enough shape that you wouldn’t hesitate to pass them on to a friend.
Formal Wear
The Gifted Gown (thegiftedgown.org) welcomes donations of women’s (and men’s) evening wear.
Leather Goods
Your well-loved jacket, belt, wallet, or bag can be loved once again by someone less
Tired of your kicks, but they still have plenty of life in them? Local DSW stores will take them on behalf of Soles4Souls ( souls 4soles.org). You can also donate them to the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center ( maryrigg.org).
Jewelry and Watches
Put the final touch on a hopeful applicant’s interview outfi t by donating nice costume or vintage jewelry and working watches to Dress for Success Indianapolis ( indydfs .org). Another good destination for it is The Julian Center ( julian center.org).
Or … If a fi x or a modern setting will get an old favorite back in rotation, Moyer Fine Jewelers ( moyer finejewelers.com) and Reis-Nichols Jewelers ( reisnichols.com) both do repairs.
» Here are our favorite local consignment shops. None require an appointment, but be sure to stick to the listed buying times. While in our experience these offer some of the best returns for sellers, be aware that your final payout may depend on a few factors that vary by shop. For instance, it could be based on the final price your item commands. Sometimes designer handbags have their own commission structure. Much is on a caseby-case basis, so bringing your pieces in for an evaluation is the only way to know what you may net.
Amanda’s Exchange
Women’s clothing only
715 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, 317-5734400, amandasexchange.shop
Mon–Fri 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sun 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
COMMISSION RANGE: 40-60 percent
The Toggery Resale Boutique
Women’s and men’s clothing 1810 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-257-5661, toggeryresale.com
Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; first Sat of the month 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
COMMISSION RANGE: 30-60 percent
The Afterglow
Now that you’ve pared down, it’s time to organize all the good stuff that’s left. Here’s advice from a pro on stylish spaceconquering. BY
MICHELLE MASTRO
YOU’VE PROBABLY been there at least once: standing in the middle of a room surrounded by towering “to keep” piles on all sides. In the process of divesting your home of everything failing in its promise to serve you, you’ve pulled out seemingly everything you own from drawers, out of closets, and off shelves. And now it’s time to put it all back. It’s tough to feel motivated to do anything more than shove it all anywhere it fits. After all, you’ve already done so much.
And that’s exactly why you should see this juncture as an opportunity. Seize the chance to make your belongings work in your home and work for you. Enter local professional organizer Maria Baer, founder of The Baer Minimalist (thebaer minimalist.com). She’s cultivated a short list of three practices that are the underpinnings of any organizing effort. You’ve got this.
Be intentional.
Whether it’s a walk-in closet or a kitchen pantry, first think about how you use the space, and then put things back accordingly. “Sometimes items have been stored in a place for years, and owners don’t know why,” says Baer. “They moved in, and that’s just where the boxes landed and stayed.” So, after you’ve done a solid edit, put everything back with an eye toward functionality. Keep items used frequently at arms’ length.
Create a focal point.
Oftentimes, homeowners think they need a plethora of tiny accents to create a sense of visual interest. Not so, insists Baer. “Once you’re cleared of clutter, decide what are the few statement pieces you want to highlight and feature in a space,” says Baer.
“Ask yourself, ‘If this is coming into my home, is it replacing something or just adding to the clutter?’”
“Case in point, with a walk-in closet, maybe tank tops shouldn’t be the first thing you see when it’s winter,” she says. Place basics like underwear, socks, bras, and belts in open baskets for easy reach or, even better, in clear acrylic containers for ease of visibility. “The idea is to make your life simpler by not always having to dig for what you need,” says Baer.
Many such items might have been hiding in the attic or basement. Baer will often lead homeowners through their basement bins, digging for buried treasure. “Sometimes they have a really cool family heirloom, but it isn’t being shown off prominently in the home as it should,” she says.
Maintain
your new organization system. Granted, it can be a challenge to continuously cull superfluous items. “People tend to fill whatever space they have,” observes Baer, “and that is as true of a 12,000-square-foot house as it is of a 2,500-square-foot condo.” That’s why she encourages her clients to be more mindful when they’re out shopping, whether for new clothes, housewares, electronics, or decor. “Ask yourself, ‘If this is coming into my home, is it replacing something or just adding to the clutter?’”
You might want to take a page from Baer’s personal home playbook by keeping a donation bin at the ready. “I stage things, like old toys and clothes, in there until I’m sure I’m giving them away.” Knowing that the bin is just the “maybe place” can make it easier to toss in whatever you’re on the fence about. Based on Baer’s experience, more than likely you won’t go back and pull it out. But any organizational tactic worth its salt fits your needs and your lifestyle, she adds. You may need to experiment a bit before you find a seamless system that sticks. “It’s all about finding what works best over the long term for you and your family.”
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It’s December 1925 in Indianapolis, a city that boasts the Stutz Motor Car Company’s automobile wealth and the jazz-club fame of Indiana Avenue. As downtown Christmas shoppers marvel at L.S. Ayres & Company’s elaborate window displays— the department store’s third installment of holiday animatronics—Indy’s children of the Roaring Twenties (a generation that includes 3-year-old Kurt Vonnegut and 2-year-old Wes Montgomery) can now step into a world of wonder at the brandnew Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Housed inside the carriage house on the grounds of the Indianapolis Propylaeum (1) at 1410 North Delaware Street, this pioneering institution is one of but a few in the country, following in the path of the Boston Children’s Museum and Detroit Children’s Museum.
Inside, schoolchildren’s donated artifacts (3) including geodes, fossils, and dioramas—fill a smattering of tables arranged out in the open instead of inside cases, in keeping with the museum committee’s idea that “the viewpoint of the child should be considered in providing for the equipment and installation of all materials.” The modest display owes its existence to Mary Stewart Carey (2), a civic dynamo and patron of the arts known for her work with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Women’s Rotary Club, and the Orchard Country Day School. Carey’s passion for education inspired her to create a museum where children could learn through up-close exploration—a thoroughly modern idea.
to outlying neighborhoods.
At the 1925 Indianapolis 500, Peter DePaolo becomes the first competitor to average over 100 mph, winning the 13th 500-mile race in under five hours.
The 1925 mayoral race sees Republican John L. Duvall, a Ku Klux Klan member, narrowly defeat Democrat Walter Meyers in an election noted for its historically low voter turnout.
Visitors to the recently expanded (and notoriously segregated) Riverside Amusement Park can climb aboard a pair of new roller coasters, The Flash and The Thriller.
During the golden age of Indy’s public transit, the Indianapolis Street Railway Company’s bustling streetcar system carries millions annually, connecting the city
The musuem’s first donation box, designed by Kurt Vonnegut, Sr.
“
Its artifacts having outgrown the original Propylaeum space, the Children’s Museum has settled into the founder’s own home—the grand Carey Mansion (1) at 1150 North Meridian Street—and added programs such as guided school tours and summer Prairie Treks (4) for collecting nature specimens. In an era defined by economic hardship and then war, the museum, which sits less than 3 miles from the city’s own Great Depression shantytown, Curtisville Bottom, provides a rare escape for visitors, some of them wearing seahorse pins to identify them as youth members.
Eleanor Roosevelt (2) herself visits in 1937 to tour the museum’s collection of dolls made by WPA workers. The first lady later writes in her syndicated “My Day” newspaper column, “The collections are rather crowded as they are housed in an old building, but it is very charming and I wish that the director and his staff ... might have an opportunity of telling other communities of what they have done, for it would undoubtedly serve as a much needed stimulus.”
Indeed, the museum’s first curator-director, former Morton Place Drug Store proprietor and naturalist Arthur B. Carr, has arranged the museum’s treasures into permanent exhibits (3). He holds the position until he retires in 1942 at the age of 70 and is replaced by Grace Golden, a champion of fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and growth.
The city’s first public housing development, Lockefield Gardens, is completed in 1938 under FDR’s New Deal.
Crisscrossed with railroads, Indiana adopts the nickname
Crossroads of America” as its state motto in 1937.
The USS Indianapolis tragically sinks in the Philippine Sea on July 30, 1945, leaving hundreds of survivors adrift for days in sharkinfested waters.
Camp Atterbury is established in 1942, located 30 miles from Indianapolis in Johnson County and serving as a major training camp for U.S. Army personnel.
Another move has rehomed the museum, now under the dynamic guidance of Golden, inside North Meridian Street’s historic Parry House (1), a limestone beauty embellished with columns and verandas purchased for $63,500. It serves as the anchor of a property gradually populated with add-ons and outbuildings to accommodate the growing collections. A 9-foot-tall taxidermy polar bear from the Bering Strait, a gallery of dinosaur skeletons (including Dinah (2), a cast of a fossilized giant ground sloth), and a 19th-century log cabin call the place home, enticing the first generation of kids who have color television sets in their living rooms.
One of the gleaming new structures, added to the property in 1962, is The Hall of Man, filled with pristine display cases. The Junior Docent (4) program and two weekly television shows cultivate a love for learning and storytelling in the museum’s young visitors. In 1964, the volunteer-led Children’s Museum Guild’s first Haunted House (3)—a walk-through horror show laid out inside one of the buildings used for storage, complete with a headless man and mechanical monsters—screams success and becomes an annual fundraising event.
In 1955, self-taught architect Avriel Shull begins her 21-house collection of midcentury modern homes in Carmel’s Christie’s Thornhurst Addition.
A propane explosion inside the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum kills 81 people and injures 400 more during a Holiday on Ice performance on Halloween night in 1963.
The first Indianapolis Zoo opens in George Washington Park on East 30th Street in 1964, featuring penguins, camels, giant tortoises, a baby elephant, and the famed walkin sculpture, Willie the Whale.
As a Broad Ripple High School student in the 1960s, comedian David Letterman works at Atlas Supermarket at the corner of North College Avenue and 54th Street.
Junior Docents were awarded these pins
By the mid-1970s, the museum has undergone yet another major transformation (2), culminating in the completion of a state-of-the-art facility on the grounds of the now- demolished Parry House in 1976. With its flat, modular, unornamented brick facade—a departure from the extravagance of its previous abodes—this new museum (1) is considered a marvel of brutalist architecture, with a modern aesthetic to match the institution’s big, forward-thinking ideas. At 225,000 square feet, it is officially the world’s largest children’s museum. First lady Betty Ford (3) attends the grand openingand receives a commemorative museum poster, a watercolor painting of a green dinosaur signed and presented by its creator, kindergartner Brett Schneider. Now a senior engineer at Allied Automation, Schneider recalls, “It was supposed to be a profile, but it just looked like a one-eyed dinosaur.” In this sprawling new iteration of the museum, kids raised by Cowboy Bob, Janie, and Sammy Terry roam five floors that promise big entertainment in the form of a restored and working 1917 carousel that once resided in Broad Ripple Park, a real mastodon skeleton, a simulated cave, and a 35-ton steam engine, the Reuben Wells (4), that had to be carefully rolled into the museum during construction, with the walls built around it afterward.
Market Square Arena opens its doors in 1974, serving as the home court for the Indiana Pacers.
Mayor William Hudnut is elected in 1975, kicking off an era of urban revitalization and economic development in Indianapolis.
The Blizzard of 1978 buries Indianapolis under 20 inches of snow. Highways are closed, lives are lost
the region, and the National Guard deploys tanks for rescue efforts.
One Day at a Time airs for the first time in December 1975. The TV sitcom stars Bonnie Franklin as a divorced mother raising two teenage daughters in an Indianapolis apartment.
The world’s largest children’s museum continues to grow as its collection nearly doubles with a gift of more than 50,000 toys and folk art objects from Creative Playthings founders Frank and Theresa Caplan (1). Thanks to a new restaurant and outdoor garden, visitors to the museum can make a day of it once they pass through the fourstory atrium entrance (3) designed by Indianapolis architect Evans Woollen III and gaze up in wonder at the fluid workings of French physicist Bernard Gitton’s water clock (2) Standing more than 26 feet tall, this sculptural timepiece mesmerizes with its neon green pendulum and precisely arranged glass globes that fill with gallons of blue water and really do tell time. And time is something that is easy to lose track of when there are Techno Parties to attend in the Computer Discovery Center and galaxies to explore in the SpaceQuest Planetarium (4, 5). The ambitious Mysteries in History exhibit is a life-size diorama of structures from Indiana’s past (a log cabin and trading post, a brickpaved street, a Danners store) that visitors can walk through and explore.
Theresa Caplan with her donated collection
and spanning 64 acres with forest, plains, and ocean habitats.
In 1985, Kokomo teenager Ryan White is barred from attending public school after contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion.
Circle CentreMall opens in September of 1995, revitalizing downtown’s shopping, dining, and entertainment scene.
In 1987, Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut publishes Bluebeard, a fictional autobiography of a reclusive abstract expressionist painter named Rabo Karabekian.
White River State Park becomes the site of the new Indianapolis Zoo, opening to the public in 1988
The big, round addition built adjacent to the museum in 1996 is already in its second era. Originally called the CineDome (2), a 310-seat theater that showed large-format films (always with the pre-show short film, Imagine Indiana, which included a heartstopping POV from a small plane as it appears to stutter and nosedive over a rural barn), it has been reinvented as the immersive, dinosaurthemed Dinosphere (3). And this exhibit is terrifying in its own way.
A flying alamosaurus!
Dinosphere: Now You’re in Their World is its full title, lending an appropriately gripping tone to the permanent exhibit that opens with a towering teenage T. rex named Bucky and a massive triceratops named Kelsey as pterosaurs soar overhead. SuperCroc, whose name says it all, stretches longer than a car. Walking into the Dinosphere is like stepping back 65 million years, especially with an ominous sound and light show simulating a prehistoric sky.
Even the logistics of getting into the museum have improved: A brandnew parking garage across Illinois Street makes visits easier for families to access the award-winning and nationally lauded venue, which now boasts a trio of alamosauruses (1, 4), a mother and her offspring, bursting through its facade.
The grassroots Naptown Roller Girls form in 2006, initially practicing in a church parking lot.
The new Indianapolis International Airport terminal opens in 2008, earning accolades for its sleek design and refreshing efficiency.
The high-rise hotel JW Marriott hovers like a massive blue wave over the western side of downtown in 2011, changing the city’s skyline and boosting its hospitality industry.
In 2012, Indianapolis hosts Super Bowl XLVI, during which the New York Giants triumph over the New England Patriots.
A sign of the information-at-yourfingertips times, Children’s Museum 2.0 boasts a “Wikipedian in Residence” and has integrated QRpedia codes throughout its exhibits. But the real showstopper is the Dale Chihuly blown glass installation (2, 3) that fills the central atrium. The four-story masterpiece is among the artist’s largest works, composed of more than 3,200 blown-glass pieces intricately stacked into a cascade of color. The lower level’s National TreasuresGeographic of the Earth (4) captivates future archeologists with its reconstructions of historic sites such as the ancient Egyptian tomb of Seti I, a Chinese archaeological dig with life-size puzzles of terra cotta warriors, and Captain Kidd’s Dominican Republic shipwreck, cannons and all. Other exhibits have started trending toward compassionate topics, as seen in The Power of Children: Making a Difference (1), which chronicles the lives of Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White, presented as heroes of the 20th century who overcame hatred and racism.
2016, the state-of-the-art
A February 2016 Bon Appétit article references several local restaurants (Milktooth, Bluebeard, and Pioneer) in an article that examines “the Brooklynization of Indy.”
In 2017, Indianapolisbased Marsh Supermarkets files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announces plans to close all remaining stores.
In
Julia M. Carson Transit Center opens downtown, giving the city’s bus system a contemporary, environmentally sustainable hub.
Crime Junkie, the acclaimed true crime podcast hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat, drops its first episode on December 17, 2017.
Acentury after it welcomed its first wideeyed guests, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis continues to enlighten and enchant all who wander its five levels of interactive exhibits. A new generation gets giddy over carousel rides, model trains, and the seasonal Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience (1) that offers 7.5 acres of sports-themed outdoor activities, like the world’s best recess.
But the museum’s fan club extends beyond children tugging at their parents’ hands. Grown-ups, too, beeline to the massive Transformers figure (from the 2007 movie) towering over the Welcome Center; the replica of the International Space Station (2) featuring NASA astronaut David Wolf’s space suit; and the American Pop exhibit’s collection of music, toys, fashion, and plenty of, “Hey, I used to have one of these,” reactions. The immersive Mandela (4), a dramatic walk through the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela, puts the deep-rooted racism of apartheid into powerful context. It runs though January 20 and is not to be missed.
The museum has taken advantage of the pandemic closures of 2020 to refresh the Dinosphere (3), which now opens with a pair of colossal sauropods that span the length of the room. With their swooping necks and massive tails looking like a rollercoaster of fossilized and fabricated bones, these massive herbivores look fantastically realistic—not a day over 66 million years. They have aged well, and the same can be said of the place they call home.
After 10 decades, the children’s museum has kept Indianapolis young. May we never outgrow its wonder.
CELEBRATE WITH THE MUSEUM!
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has special programming planned for each month of the 2025 celebration. The exhibit Memories, Wonders, and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years will showcase 100 history-making artifacts from the museum’s collection. Visit childrensmuseum.org for a full calendar of events.
LOVE AT FIRST
S PIKE
As Indiana makes a play for the title of women’s sports capital of the world, the new Indy Ignite pro volleyball team is ready to light a fire under a game that has been overlooked for too long.
by Megan Fernandez
EGAME ON Indy Ignite middle blocker
Blake Mohler demonstrates the explosive energy of Indy’s new pro volleyball team— and the sport about to take the nation by storm.
TTHE HARDEST TICKET to get in Indiana sports last year was a seat in Holloway Gymnasium during one of Purdue’s No. 8–ranked volleyball team’s sold-out games. The tickets were as hot as the Indiana Fever’s—priced around $400 for a courtside seat and $40 for a nosebleed—but not nearly as plentiful in a college arena that maxes out at 2,288. A few years ago, you could buy a general admission ticket at the box office right before a game. Not anymore. “Purdue has stayed on the national scene for a long time with a lot of talent,” says Dan Meske, host of the Out of Rotation volleyball podcast and a coach at the University of Louisville, the site of the 2024 NCAA Championship last month.
He’s right. Holloway is intimate, packed, and loud with a raucous student section, pep band, and theme nights. It plays host to the powerhouse Big Ten programs that dominate the NCAA’s Top 10 and have won half the national titles in the last 20 years. When Purdue moved a couple games to the 14,000-seat Mackey Arena last season, those sold out, too. College volleyball has never seen the kind of crowds that turned out in 2024.
But fans don’t just watch the explosive game up close and personal. They feel its ballistic force. Each point starts with the server targeting a specific player on the other team, that player bumping it to the setter, and the setter, like a quarterback, choosing which hitter to pass to. That hitter gets a running start and leaps 10 feet in the air, slamming the ball past (or into) the block on the other side.
Then all hell breaks loose.
A defender sets her body in the line of fire, absorbing the force and controlling the pass to her setter. The setter scrambles under the ball and lets it fly across the court, placing it a certain distance off the net. A hitter launches and booms another hit at 70 miles per hour. Let’s say it catches the blocker’s fingertips and slows down just enough for another defender to have a chance. That player might chase it off the court, dive headfirst to the ground, and bat it high with one arm before
somersaulting to her feet. Another hitter might pick it out of the sky and spike it back. A defender could skid forward on her belly and jut an open hand under the ball right before it hits the ground—a “pancake” save.
This repeats five, six, seven times. Bodies flying, crashing, rolling. Ponytails swinging. Speed meeting skill. Power versus precision. It’s hard to say which is more mind-blowing, a hitter rearing back ferociously above the 7-foot-tall net or an airborne defender going fully horizontal to keep a ball in play. It’s predatory and survivalist in rapid succession, one body-flinging spectacle after another.
It’s easy to see why volleyball is catching on—the fast-paced exhilaration is a new high in American sports. “The intensity is so focused and
isolated,” says Mary Kay Huse, CEO of Indiana’s just-formed women’s professional volleyball team, Indy Ignite. “You can’t see it in other sports like you can in volleyball. That’s why we’ve seen the NCAA viewership rise so fast. Once people start watching, they don’t stop watching.” An entrepreneur who grew up in Lebanon, Indiana, Huse is herself a former collegiate athlete. And her daughter plays the sport.
You’ll get to experience it yourself at the brand-new Fishers Event Center this month. The Ignite debuts on January 11 as one of the new teams in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), in the league’s second season. The cutting-edge, 7,500-seat bowl-style venue (which also hosts the Indy Fuel hockey club, the Fishers Freight indoor football team, and a lineup of touring performers in the shadow of Ikea) is perfectly scaled for watching volleyball. Too big can feel empty. This hits the sweet spot.
The game’s leaders think the time has come for volleyball to soar as a professional sport in the United States. Other than the national teams, indoor volleyball has never lasted here, which, on paper, is puzzling. Especially given that the sport’s excitement and gym-class familiarity are so fan-friendly. Most people
DREAM TEAM
Clockwise from right: setter Sydney Hilley; Grace Cleveland (also a Butler coach); and Atlanta Vibe transfer Leketor Member-Meneh
understand the concept of bump, set, spike. And the scoring is easy—fi rst to 25, ahead by two, best of five sets.
There are but a few points of confusion—the hard-to-follow player rotation, for example—and certain infractions, such as a double contact or a lift, are difficult to see from the stands. A spectator who has played the backyard version their whole life might question why the pro teams get to touch the ball four times. (It’s because a block isn’t considered contact.) They might also wonder why one player’s jersey is a different color. (That’s the libero, a defensive specialist whose substitutions don’t count toward the team limit.)
Volleyball is the soybean to basketball’s corn. We produce a lot of it, too, but without the cultural branding.
Aft er a while, the biggest question might dawn on them: If professional volleyball is so fun to watch, so approachable, and so marketable, why is it just now coming to the United States? And why is Indianapolis one of the few markets where it’s starting?
FIVE YEARS AGO, the Indiana Pacers produced a documentary series about Hoosier hoops called We Grow Basketball Here. “Excellence, tradition. Then and now. It’s who we are,” the narrator declared over clips of Crispus Att ucks players and Reggie Miller. Volleyball is the soybean to basketball’s corn. We produce a lot of it, too, but without the cultural branding. No one builds soybean mazes in the fall
or says, “There’s more than soybeans in Indiana.” Quietly, though, the Munciana Volleyball junior program, based in Yorktown just outside of Muncie, has been sprouting top national talent for decades and is one of the growth engines in volleyball. It’s called the “cradle of coaches” (44 current NCAA and NAIA coaches started there) and sends players to the best NCAA teams. Indiana now has a few nationally ranked junior volleyball clubs, including Circle City and Empowered Volleyball Academy in Fort Wayne, and about 10,000 highschoolers play statewide.
The growth in the sport’s participation and quality has spread to TV audiences.
Volleyball is the third most-watched sport on the Big Ten Network, behind men’s basketball and football. “I have friends who played in the NFL and MLB, and if I can get them to watch one volleyball game, they’re hooked,” says Ignite coach George Padjen, a 25-year NCAA veteran.
In 2023, the sport popped. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which has one of the most storied college programs, kicked off its season in the football stadium. The sellout crowd of 92,000 set the world record for att endance at a women’s sporting event. In 2024, the sport aired on weekend network TV for the fi rst time. The boom isn’t driven by a history-making
Bump, Set, Speak
VOLLEYBALL NEWBIE?
FIRST, LEARN THE LINGO
Free ball: when a team returns the ball without attacking it, setting up an easy play for the opponents
Good up: a difficult dig that keeps the ball off the ground
Joust: when a player from each team gets her hands on the ball on top of the net, trying to push it over
Kill: an attack shot that ends the point
Out of system: when the defense forces the offense to improvise and play out of position—for example, by serving to the setter so she has to pass the ball on first contact, not second
Over on two: a surprise attack by the setter on the second contact of the ball
Pancake: a flat hand under the ball just before it hits the ground
Popcorn: a drill seen during warmup, when two players bump, set, and spike the ball to each other
Rally scoring: the defending team can score, as opposed to side-out scoring, when only the serving team can score
Roof: a stuff block
Side out: when the defending team wins the point and regains the serve—as in, “Let’s go, Indy, side out!”
Tooling the block: intentionally spiking the ball into the side or top of the blocker’s hands so it rebounds out of play
MEET AND GREET
Young Ignite fans already admire Hilley (below) and teammates Kylie Murr, Maddie Schermerhorn, Chiamaka Nwokolo, and Gabby Gonzales (right).
superstar—there is no Caitlin Clark of women’s volleyball—or a storyline like South Carolina women’s basketball’s perfect season last year. Rather, the boom came organically and gradually as more tall girls chose volleyball over basketball, the quality of play improved, crowds grew, and TV followed. The Big Ten Network dedicated Wednesday nights to volleyball, and the ACC and SEC networks later did the same.
But after graduation, the best Americans play overseas, primarily in Europe, or they give up the sport and start adulting. Efforts to birth a league stateside have hinged on convincing top players to bypass the established pro leagues and paychecks elsewhere and take a chance on something new here. “The hardest thing is the skepticism in the volleyball community,” PVF co-founder Jen Spicher said on Meske’s podcast. “Nobody believed we were going to do it.”
Attitudes started turning around when the U.S. national team, stocked with players returning from topflight leagues abroad, won its first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, boosting the sport’s profile and proving that we produce the most talent.
Soon, three pro volleyball leagues started taking shape in the States, this time gaining traction. One of them, Athletes Unlimited, plays a five-week fall season in one city. The
FIRED UP
other two, League One Volleyball and the PVF, both play in the winter and spring. League One is owned by some of the sport’s stars and uses a new model that includes running youth clubs and staging all games in only one market each week. Its inaugural season starts
this month. The PVF follows the traditional path of privately owned franchises. It launched in seven cities last January and aired on CBS Sports Network. PVF players made a minimum of $60,000 (for the four-and-ahalf-month season), and attendance exceeded expectations with 400,000 spectators across the league and more than 2 million people watching livestreams on YouTube.
This season, the Indy Ignite became the only new team to join the PVF. “A lot of volleyball leagues have been one and done,” Meske says. “Having a second year is even more impressive than having a first year.”
IGNITE
CO-OWNER
Jim Schumacher saw the potential for women’s pro volleyball from the perspective of a girl dad. His two daughters played for Munciana and went on to join NCAA teams. As a successful entrepreneur in the energy and private equity sectors, he’d see 20,000 people at a junior volleyball tournament and think, There has to be a business opportunity here. “I’m a startup guy. My wife and I read about this Pro Volleyball Federation a couple years ago and went after it,” says Schumacher, who shares ownership of the team with business partner Don Hutchinson of Goelzer Investment Management. Competition for an expansion team was fierce CONTINUED ON PAGE 97
Head coach George Padjen, above, leads the team of handpicked pro and collegiate athletes at the new Fishers Event Center.
DENTISTS TOP
Meet more than 300 peer-nominated dental practitioners who made our annual Top Dentists list, which is sorted into seven specialty categories. The accompanying profiles showcase Central Indiana practices with expanded information about their services, treatments, qualifications, and philosophies.
METHODOLOGY : The professionals listed herein were selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Professional Research Services Company of Troy, Michigan. Professionals may be screened and selected through the verification of licensing and review of any infractions through various applicable boards, agencies, and rating services. For further information, visit prscom.com or email PRS at sshevin@prscom.com
ENDODONTICS
JOSEPH B. ADAMS
Indianapolis Endodontics 6335 Intech Commons Dr., Ste. J 317-924-3228 indyendo.com
WILLIAM B. ADAMS
Indianapolis Endodontics 6335 Intech Commons Dr., Ste. J 317-924-3228 indyendo.com
RONALD K. ALLEN, DDS, MSD 9524 E. Washington St. 317-898-2311 ronaldkallenddsmsd.com
DON ANDERSON
Keystone Endodontics 3105 E. 98th St., Ste. 130 317-569-9977 keystoneendo.com
MICHAEL ASLIN
Hamilton County Endodontics 14757 Oak. Rd., Ste. 400, Carmel 317-580-0123 hamiltoncountyendo.com
Miriam Carmean, DDS, is the lead dentist and owner of Carmean Family Dentistry on the northwest side of Indianapolis. She graduated in 2012 from Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. Carmean is passionate about helping her patients achieve their optimum dental health with continued education in dental esthetics and pathology. She has received awards for oral pathology, as well as the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, and she maintains current memberships with the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, Indianapolis District Dental Association, International Association for Facial Esthetics, and the International Association for Orthodontics.
ANTHONY S. NATALIE, DDS 148 Vestal Rd., Plainfield 317-839-2381 anthonysnataliedds.com
PATRICIA J. NEW A New Smile Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 1700 W. Smith Valley Rd., Ste. C2, Greenwood 317-888-6684 ournewdentist.com
DON M. NEWMAN
Newman Family Dentistry
3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 317-622-0192 newmanfamilydentistry.com
MARC NEWMAN
Newman Family Dentistry 3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 317-622-0192 newmanfamilydentistry.com
INDY DENTAL GROUP
SIXTEEN-YEAR WINNERS
Winning Smiles For The Entire Family
Celebrating 30 years! Indy Dental Group was founded in 1993 by Dr. Jack M. Miller, a three-time driver in the Indy 500, and Dr. Elizabeth B. Lewis, a leader in comprehensive, cosmetic, and family dentistry with a special focus on patient education and family dental health.
Indy Dental Group has ten doctors who bring a broad range of expertise to the team. All share the same philosophy and are committed to providing
CARMEL
VILLAGE OF WEST CLAY
317-571-1900
12720 Meeting House Rd.
INDIANAPOLIS NORTH MERIDIAN
317-846-6125
9310 N. Meridian, Ste. 200
you with excellence in dentistry by combining exceptional education, extensive clinical experience, and personal dedication.
The six world-class Indy Dental Group locations have been designed with patient comfort in mind. Our Carmel office (located in The Village of West Clay) showcases Dr. Miller’s racing memorabilia and his “Walls of Fame” and even has one of his Crest® race cars
INDIANAPOLIS
WEST 86TH AND MICHIGAN
317-941-7300
3711 W. 86th St.
WESTFIELD
317-867-5400
16407 Southpark Dr., Ste. B
hanging from the ceiling. A dedicated team of doctors, hygienists, technicians, and administrative staff help provide Hoosier families with the best dental care and support available.
Indy Dental Group is dedicated to serving the entire family and providing comprehensive dental care and support. We look forward to working with you and your family to help ensure a lifetime of good dental health.
WESTFIELD NORTH
317-399-5513
322 W. Main St.
indydentalgroup.com | info@indydentalgroup.com
FORTVILLE
317-485-6477
727 E. Broadway St.
MIKEL NEWMAN
Newman Family Dentistry
3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A
317-622-0192
newmanfamilydentistry.com
MARIQUITA PALANCABEVERIDGE
Preferred Dental Care
8280 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. A 317-337-0233 myindydentist.com
KATHERINE SO Mass Ave Family Dentistry 310 N. Delaware St.
Dr. Patrick Kunkel is a board-certified orthodontist working alongside his partner, Dr. Charee Campbell Condict, at Align Orthodontics. With locations in Noblesville and Tipton, Align Orthodontics has been providing expert, compassionate care for patients of all ages for over 40 years! Specializing in braces, clear aligners, and airway orthodontics, Dr. Kunkel and Dr. Condict create personalized, detailed treatment plans in a welcoming environment. The team’s dedication to patient-centered care and high-tech orthodontics makes Align Orthodontics a trusted choice for creating beautiful, healthy smiles. Discover the Align difference and begin your journey to a confident smile today!
Dr. Patrick Kunkel and Dr. Charee Campbell Condict FIRST-YEAR WINNERS
317-218-9901 holisticdentist indianapolis.com
MARCIA SODER
Soder Dentistry
6002 W. 62nd St., Ste. A 317-293-5011 soderdentistry.com
KELLY SPAULDING
Serenity Creek Dental Care
298 S. 10th St., Ste. 100, Noblesville 317-565-1600 serenitycreekdental.com
KEVIN SPEES DENTISTRY 1235 Parkway Dr., Zionsville 317-316-9297 kevinspeesdentistry.com
ARON SPRINGHETTI
Springhetti Dentistry
10485 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 150, Carmel 317-886-1304 springhettdentistry.com
Dr. Horton is a friendly Indianapolis native who has been serving the Broad Ripple and greater Indianapolis area for over 20 years. His practice focuses on veneers, braces, implants, and comprehensive oral health care. His emphasis is on making the dental experience as pleasant as possible for the entire family. He owns two practices in Indianapolis to best serve the community.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, Indianapolis District Dental Society, and the American Orthodontic Society.
DESMON A. BROWN
Clear Choice Dental Implant Center
8555 N. River Rd., Ste. 160 317-643-8593 clearchoice.com
CHRISTOPHER BURNS
Geist Oral & Facial Surgery 8170 Oaklandon Rd., Ste. B 317-823-4260
gofsindy.com
CAMERON H. CONKIN, DDS ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON
8101 S. Shelby St. 317-882-2595 drconkinoralsurgery.com
MATTHEW M. DAVIS
Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 100 317-882-1284 iomsa.com
Over the last 24 years in dentistry, I have cherished the great relationships my team and I have developed with so many families. We at Dentistry on 116 are committed to creating and maintaining healthy smiles that last a lifetime! We offer family and cosmetic dental services that include painfree dentistry, Invisalign®, and sedation dentistry in our high-tech facility. My husband, Patrick, and I are from Munster, Indiana and we met in high school. We live in Carmel with our children, Bruce, Luke, and Ruby, and our golden retriever, Bryzzo. We enjoy visiting amusement parks and the beach, watching movies, and trying different restaurants. We are avid Chicago sports fans. My favorites are Michael Jordan, Kris Bryant, and the ’85 Chicago Bears.
If you are looking for more than “just a dentist,” visit us to receive dental care like you’ve never experienced before. We pride ourselves in taking the time to listen with care and kindness to meet your expectations. After your thorough exam, we decide together how to accomplish your dental needs. Check out what our patients have experienced in our Google reviews. We invite you to be a part of the Dentistry on 116 dental family!
Dentistry on 116
890 E. 116th St., Ste. 210, Carmel 317-575-8993 | DentistryOn116.com
Finkelmeier Orthodontics 912 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel 317-993-3789 finkortho.com
DANIELLE N. GODLEY
Godley Family Orthodontics 12036 N. Michigan Rd, Ste. 110, Zionsville 317-913-2828 godleyfamilyortho.com
TASHA EILEEN HALL Hallmark Orthodontics
13590-B N. Meridian St., Ste. 205, Carmel 317-574-0612 hallmarkorthodontics.com
DR. MATTHEW RASKIN
Welcome to Eagle Creek Dental Associates, where Dr. Matthew Raskin and our exceptional team share the unique ability to turn a typically uncomfortable dental visit into a pleasant and reassuring experience.
Why Choose Us
Personalized Care: Dr. Matthew Raskin doesn’t just treat teeth ––he builds relationships. With a caring and compassionate approach, he takes the time to understand your specific needs and concerns. Your dental journey is a partnership, and it’s important that your voice is heard every step of the way.
State-of-the-Art Technology: We swapped the goopy, bulky, and bothersome dental tools of the past with cutting-edge
scanners, providing you with a more comfortable and precise dental visit.
Welcoming Atmosphere: The moment you walk through our doors, you’re greeted with a warm and inviting modern environment. Our team’s unity translates into a seamless and friendly setting that we believe is the foundation of a positive dental experience.
Invisalign Excellence: Dr. Matthew Raskin has not only mastered the art of Invisalign for his patients, but he also works to educate fellow doctors in the field. His expertise means you’re in great hands while you achieve the upgraded smile you deserve through the most advanced, hygienic, and discreet clear aligner technology on the market.
VINCE HANSEN
Biggs-Hansen Orthodontics
9333 N. Meridian St., Ste. 301 317-316-0285 indyortho.com
Chapman Orthodontics 159 N. Dan Jones Rd., Noblesville 317-839-6533 chapmanorthodontics online.com
MARISA A. WALKER
Walker-Dixon Orthodontics
7205 N. Shadeland Ave. 317-849-0110 walkerdixonortho.com
GREG WERNER
Werner Orthodontics 9602 E. Washington St., Ste. B 317-898-7645 wernerortho.com
MICHELLE L. WITTLER
Wittler Orthodontics, PC 534 E. State Rd. 32, Westfield 317-896-3444 wittlerortho.com
ARIEL WONG
Ashcraft & Wong Orthodontics 1667 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon 765-482-2291 aworthodontics.com
EMERICK ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Tara Emerick FIRST-YEAR
12863 Broad St., Carmel emerickortho.com
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
JILL ALDRICH
Aldrich Pediatric Dentistry
10373 E. County Rd., Ste. 100-N 463-701-5437 aldrichpd.com
LESA ALLISON
Park Pediatric Dentistry
1700 W. Smith Valley Rd., Ste. B1, Greenwood 317-300-8163 parkpediatricdentist.com
KEVIN BEADLE
Kokomo Pediatric Dentistry
2350 S. Dixon Rd., Ste. 425, Kokomo 765-453-6000 kokomopediatric dentistry.com
JOHN BOZIC
Pediatric Dentistry
West
520 W. Navajo St. West Lafayette 765-463-5437 bozicdds.com
Dr. Tara Emerick is a board-certified orthodontist with over 10 years of experience working with patients of all ages. Having experienced firsthand the power of transformative dental care, she is able to empathize deeply with each individual she works with. As a mom to three young children, Dr. Emerick combines a mother’s insight with an orthodontist’s precision to transform smiles and confidence.
Dr. Emerick’s approach integrates cutting-edge technology with a warm, understanding demeanor, ensuring every patient feels heard and valued. The mutual trust and commitment shared between Dr. Emerick and her patients are key to every smile she creates. Dr. Emerick aims to make treatments more efficient and patient-friendly, reflecting her dedication to enhancing patient experiences. Emerick Orthodontics uses the newest technologies, including virtual visits, 3D scanning, advanced Aligner technology, and custom 3D printed braces.
Located in the heart of the Village of West Clay, Dr. Emerick’s office offers a smaller, more personalized experience and provides the highest level of individualized care. She emphasizes quality over quantity, offering tailored treatment plans and a more intimate, patient-focused experience. The office space features pink accents, soft furnishings, and lighting, all designed to create an inviting, less clinical setting. A pink-themed office helps reduce anxiety for patients and sets the stage for a pleasant visit, where style and comfort meet quality care.
Contact our office at Emerick Orthodontics today to schedule your complimentary consultation. Our team is ready to help guide you on your journey to a healthier, more confident smile!
WINNER
ENDODONTIC SPECIALISTS
FISHERS LOCATION: 10078 Lantern Rd. Fishers, IN 46037 317-570-9000
At Endodontic Specialists, we are dedicated exclusively to comprehensive endodontic care. Our compassionate team includes an experienced staff that provides the highest level of professional care in a warm, friendly, and comfortable environment.
Our locations are state-of-the-art endodontic facilities that utilize cutting-edge technology, including surgical operating microscopes, digital imaging, and cone beam technology, which allows superior visualization of dental structures, and the GentleWave system, which uses acoustic energy to clean the deepest, most complex root canal structures.
Our doctors are highly skilled, and with the use of the latest technology, we are able to provide our patients with exceptional endodontic care. Patient comfort is very important to us, so we offer several types of anxiety control techniques, including a full range of sedation options. We have also incorporated anesthesia technology to make injections more comfortable. We offer same-day emergency appointments and are always on-call and available for our patients.
Dr. Tod Moretton and Dr. Mychel Vail are certified endodontists who teach continuing education classes and maintain active involvement in the dental community. They also lecture at Indiana University School of Dentistry.
GODLEY FAMILY ORTHODONTICS
As a board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Danielle Godley values providing genuine, honest, quality care for patients of all ages at her Zionsville, Indiana, orthodontic practice. At Godley Family Orthodontics, you’ll enjoy modern care, a family-friendly atmosphere, and excellent orthodontic services.
Dr. Godley specializes in metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, clear aligners, retainers, and expanders. She has a genuine passion for orthodontics and strives to educate her patients on available treatment options, working together to get the very best outcome.
Godley Family Orthodontics welcomes patients of all ages. Our mission is simple—to serve others and inspire joy! We do this by helping people achieve beautiful, balanced smiles and bites as simply, efficiently, and conveniently as possible. We strive to provide the best orthodontics for our patients. At Godley Family Orthodontics, we embrace modern technology to ensure that every step of the way—from your consultation, to treatment planning, to providing your orthodontic care—is as safe and comfortable as possible. Dr. Godley enjoys serving the communities of Zionsville, Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield, and beyond. With complimentary consultations, we make it simple for patients to start their smile journey!
Dr. Danielle N. Godley FIRST-YEAR WINNER
SIXTEEN-YEAR WINNER
OFFICE OF DRS. TOD MORETTON, MYCHEL VAIL AND CALEY MINTZ
ZACH BOZIC Pediatric Dentistry West 8930 W. 10th St. 317-271-6060 bozicdds.com
KATELYN BRAUER
Poplar Pediatric Dentistry
6828 W. Stonegate Dr., Zionsville 317-939-6558 poplarpd.com
SAM BULLARD
Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry 9240 N Meridian St., Ste. 250 317-580-9199 smilingkidsnoblesville.com
Village Dental at Saxony 13390 Overview Dr., Fishers 317-565-4249 fishersindentist.com
D. SCOTT MORGAN Pediatric Dentistry North, P.C. 9002 N. Meridian St., Ste. 105 317-571-8000 pediatricdentistrynorth.com
KATIE NICHOLS Carmel Pediatric Dentistry 12174 N. Meridian St., Ste. 200, Carmel 317-846-3496 carmelpediatricdentistry.com
KIRKWOOD DENTISTRY
Dr. Brian Kirkwood has over 30 years of experience in dentistry and is dedicated to providing effective and enduring treatment options for his patients. His practice offers a wide variety of services, including crowns, bridges, implants, braces, extractions, dentures, and root canal therapy, among others. He is committed to serving the Central Indiana community through both his high-quality dental care and philanthropic efforts. A special thank you goes to the many dental specialists who have shown their support by voting for our practice and to Indianapolis Monthly for managing the challenging task of organizing and counting the votes.
101 N. State St., Greenfield 317-462-3456 | dockirkwood.com
SCOTT PAPINEAU
Kidz Dental 7725 S. Emerson Ave. 317-882-7694 kdindy.com
ERIN F. PHILLIPS
Indianapolis Pediatric Dentistry 8433 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 307 317-872-7272 indykidsdentist.com
13590 B N. Meridian St., Ste. 202, Carmel 317-818-2200 sanderspediatricdentist.com
MOLLY SANDERS
Sanders Pediatric Dentistry
13590-B N. Meridian St., Ste. 202, Carmel 317-818-2200 sanderspediatricdentist.com
Dr. Trent Kirkwood graduated from Indiana School of Dentistry in 2018. He is a general dentist who sees patients of all ages. Dr. Trent offers a variety of services, including crowns/bridges, extractions, dentures, root canal therapy, and more. Dr. Trent believes that quality dental treatment starts with patient education. He takes the time to listen to the needs of his patients, and to explain treatment options. Dr. Trent is accepting new patients and is happy to be advancing healthy smiles in his community.
Dr. Brian Kirkwood TEN-YEAR WINNER
Dr. Trent Kirkwood THREE-YEAR WINNER
JENNIFER SATTERFIELDSIEGEL
Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
10801 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 210, Zionsville 317-873-3448 specialsmilesdentistry.com
SWATI SINGH
Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry
9669 E. 146th St., Ste. 260, Noblesville 317-773-5437 smilingkidsnoblesville.com
JAIME L. STEELE
Steele Pediatric Dentistry 9602 E. Washington St., Ste. C 317-899-5437 eastindypediatricdentist.com
KIRA STOCKTON
Indianapolis Pediatric Dentistry 8433 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 307 317-872-7272 indykidsdentist.com
3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com
LAUREN WEDDELL
Weddell Pediatric Dentistry
3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com
NICOLE WEDDELL
Weddell Pediatric Dentistry
3737 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100 317-924-5359 weddellpediatricdentistry.com
DILLON WILEY
Speedway Pediatric Dentistry
6211 W. 30th St., Ste. D 463-264-4537 speedwaypediatricdentistry.com
PERIODONTICS
JASON AU-YEUNG
Trillium Dental Care
8354 Little Eagle Ct., Ste. A 317-209-3000 trilliumdentalcare.com
RACHEL BLACK Peak Periodontal and Dental Implant Specialists
3003 E. 98th St., Ste. 200, Carmel 317-843-1281 peakperio.com
ADAM CHRISTMAN
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics
8801 N. Meridian St., Ste. 103 317-793-3659 indyimplants.com
JULIE COMBS
Greenfield Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
120 W. McKenzie Rd., Ste. J, Greenfield 317-477-3000 greenfieldperio.com
MICHAEL D. EDWARDS
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics
8801 N. Meridian St., Ste. 103 317-793-3659 indyimplants.com
DANIEL GOMES Central Indiana Periodontics 8235 Country Village Dr. 317-458-5961 centralinperio.com
MICHAEL K. GOSSWEILER Gossweiler Periodontics & Implantology 7537 38th St. 317-329-9291 gossweilerperiodontics.com
SARAH HERD Perio Indy 4725 Statesmen Dr., Ste. F 317-436-7162 perio-indy.com
KRISTIN JACKSON
Indiana Periodontics & Dental Implants
45 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood 317-887-3180 indianaperio.com
SOUTHEAST FAMILY DENTAL
Dr. Laura Geiger
6020 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis 317-359-8000 • southeastfamilydental.com
RYAN JACKSON
Indiana Periodontics & Dental Implants
45 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood 317-887-3180 indianaperio.com
VANCHIT JOHN Indiana University School of Dentistry
1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-7433 dentistry.iu.edu
JASON KUM Peak Periodontal and Dental
Implant Specialists
3003 E. 98th St., Ste. 200, Carmel 317-843-1281 peakperio.com
BRITTANY LANE
Indy East Periodontics 115 N. Shortridge Rd., Ste. 100 317-357-2235 indyeastperio.com
ANAND PATEL
Indianapolis Periodontal & Dental Implant Associates
5594 E. 146th St., Ste. 100, Noblesville
Dr. Geiger is honored and humbled to be recognized again as a Top Dentist in 2025.
Dr. Geiger and her team, including Dr. Kathleen Jones and Dr. Laura Miller Mouchaham, believe that everyone deserves a healthy and beautiful smile. They are dedicated to providing each patient with this in a welcoming, family environment.
• Dentistry for all ages, infant to adult
• Most dental insurance accepted
• Budget-friendly payment plans
Call the team at Southeast Family Dental to schedule your appointment. We look forward to meeting you!
317-846-5894 indyperiodontal.com
BRYAN J. ROY DDS, MSD, PC 6825 Parkdale Place, Ste. A 317-293-7171 royperio.com
DANIEL SHIN
Indiana University School of Dentistry 1121 W. Michigan St. 317-274-7433 dentistry.iu.edu
STEPHEN B. TOWNS
Sonrisa: A Periodental Spa
508 Indiana Ave. 317-269-0402 sonrisadental.com
KURT VANWINKLE, DDS, MSD, PC
8902 N. Meridian St., Ste. 138 317-844-2792 vanwinkleperio.com
BRUCE B. WILAND
IndyPerio
5162 E. Stop 11 Rd., Ste. 2 317-888-3322 indyperio.com
PROSTHODONTICS
SAVI ABEY Prosthodontics of Central Indiana
11405 N. Pennsylvania St, Ste. 110, Carmel 317-574-0866 prosthodonticsin.com
FIDEL BARBOSA Clear Choice Dental
Implant Center 8555 N. River Rd., Ste. 160 317-643-8593 clearchoice.com
CHRISTINE BISHOP
Prosthodontics of Central Indiana 11405 N. Pennsylvania St., Ste. 110, Carmel 317-574-0866 prosthodonticsin.com
STEVEN P. HAUG
Frazee Family Dentistry 425 N. Town Center Rd., Mooresville 317-584-3540 healthcare.ascension.org
DR. GENE MARGIOTTI DDS
385 Meridian Parke Ln., Ste. B, Greenwood 317-859-8100 findadentist.ada.org
JOHN R. PHELPS, DDS, MSD
8902 N. Meridian St., Ste. 139 317-818-9858 johnrphelpsdds.com
KELLIE SCHAUB Indianapolis Dental Center
8445 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 101 317-884-8633 indianapolisdentistks.com
RICHARD J. STUART, DDS
3021 E. 98th St., Ste. 240 317-846-0509 richardstuartdds.com
TYLER J. THOMAS
Indiana Restorative Dentistry
370 Medical Dr., Ste. B, Carmel 317-844-4155 inrestdentistry.com
SPECIAL SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Dr. Jennifer Satterfield-Siegel is a proud graduate of Spelman College and Indiana University Dental School, with advanced training from Case Western Reserve University/Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital of Cleveland. As a pediatric dentist, she is passionate about caring for children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs. Dr. Siegel has a particular interest in treatment planning for children born with cleft lip and palate and works extensively with children with disabilities. She also enjoys mentoring young people who are interested in pursuing a career in dentistry.
At Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, every child is seen as truly special. Dr. Siegel is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming environment for children and their families. Each treatment plan is tailored to individual needs, supported by evidence-based research and the latest advancements in dental technology. Dr. Siegel’s commitment to her patients reflects her genuine love for her profession and the joy she finds in providing compassionate dental care for all children.
10801 N. Michigan Rd., Ste. 210, Zionsville 317-873-3448 | specialsmilesdentistry.com
Dr. Jennifer Satterfield-Siegel SEVEN-YEAR
WINNER
THOMPSON FAMILY DENTAL AT NORA
Dr. Thompson began her journey in dentistry as a foreign exchange student from South Korea. She graduated from Butler University and obtained her doctorate degree from IU School of Dentistry in 2012. Meeting different people and families throughout her life as an exchange student played a big part in forming who she is today and helped her develop the Thompson Family Dental motto: “Come as a patient and leave as family!”
When you walk into our practice, it’s evident that we love every interaction with our patients. You will always feel the warmth of our love through the laughter and tears we share with you. We are also passionate educators and are zealous about expanding our knowledge and skills to provide up-to-date services in the infinitely advancing world of dentistry. We focus on tailoring the treatment for each patient to their needs in a comprehensive manner, including providing services such as Invisalign, implants, dentures, smile makeovers using crowns, veneers, and bridges, and more. We strive to earn our patients’ trust through mindful and intentional care. We would love to welcome you to our dental family tree!
1060 E. 86th St., Ste. 59, Indianapolis 317-846-9444 | thompsondentalatnora.com
TRILLIUM DENTAL CARE
Dr. Jason Au-Yeung TWO-YEAR WINNER
Dr. Jason Au-Yeung is a triple board-certified specialist and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery who has provided periodontal and dental implant care in Central Indiana since 2009. He is an adjunct professor at the IU School of Dentistry, as well as the current program director of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation provided through the IU Continuing Education department. Dr. Jason has a passion for medical esthetics and regenerative medicine and dentistry, providing cutting-edge treatments and cosmetic smile enhancements, and developed the fi rst medical esthetic cadaver dissection course in the Midwest in conjunction with the IU School of Medicine Center for Anatomy and Physiology Education. He also enjoys staying up to date with everchanging technology utilizing digital workflows to achieve more efficient, improved, and predictable treatment outcomes for his patients. He believes collaboration with his referring doctors is key to providing the best patient care and experience, and he is honored to have been voted by his peers for recognition as a Top Dentist.
8354 Little Eagle Ct., Ste. A, Indianapolis 317-209-3000 trilliumdentalcare.com
Dr. Jiyun Thompson FIRST-YEAR WINNER
SVETLANA BERMAN, DDS, MSD
Dr. Berman is a Board of Endodontics eligible specialist, dedicated to providing high-quality and patient-centered endodontic care. Her practice is proud of its experienced, knowledgeable, and caring team and modern, state-of-the-art office. To confidently diagnose and comfortably treat the most complex conditions, the Berman Endodontics professionals use surgical microscopes, cone beam CT for 3D imaging, digital radiography, STA® computer–assisted local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and relaxing chair-side television. The latest technology in endodontics is used for the most successful and efficient root canal treatment, such as the GentleWave System® and the EdgePRO™ laser.
704 Adams St., Ste. D Carmel, IN 46032 317-815-5552
BermanEndodontics.com
SIXTEEN-YEAR WINNER
EDUCATION:
IU School of Dentistry, DDS with high distinction IU School of Medicine, General Practice and Hospital Dentistry Residency IUSD Graduate Endodontics program
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS: IUSD, part-time faculty member Member of the American Association of Endodontists, ADA, IDA, and IDDS: Leaders & Mentors Award 2021 OKU National Dental Honor Society Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellow Founder of the Pain Management and Sedation in Dentistry Study Club Fellow of the American College of Dentists
Drs. Mark and Nick Catton are grateful for being named to Indianapolis Monthly ’s Top Dentists. Patients have trusted our familyowned and operated practice with their general dentistry needs for over four decades. We are welcoming new patients of all ages at our Meridian-Kessler and Carmel locations. Call to make an appointment today!
Dr. Mark Catton
Dr. Nick Catton
4809 N. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-923-2561
14747 Oak Rd., Suite 400 Carmel, IN 46033 317-663-8957, cattondds.com
CARMEL DENTAL GROUP
Exceptional Quality Care and Comfort
You Can Smile About!
We would like to welcome you to our state-of-the-art practice serving patients of all ages. Carmel Dental Group is privately owned and operated by Dr. Cami L. Hovda, DDS, PC. Our practice is devoted to comprehensive and preventive patient care in a relaxed setting that will put you at ease.
Active Member of the American Dental Society, American Academy of Facial Esthetics, Indiana Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Indianapolis District Dental Society, Seattle Study Club and DOCS (Sedation Dentistry).
Clear Braces Laser Dentistry Dentistry for the Whole Family Children’s Program
Digital X-Ray System Conscious Sedation
Relaxing & Friendly Environment
Botox
Dermal Fillers
Concierge Services
In-house Insurance Plan
715 W. Carmel Dr., Ste. 103 Carmel, IN 46032 317-844-0022
carmeldentalgroup.com
CHILDREN’S DENTAL CENTER
Dr. Michelle H. Edwards is a specialist certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with over 20 years of experience. She founded Children’s Dental Center with the mission to help families fi nd a lifelong dental home for their children. Dr. Edwards and her team’s multilevel accreditations and specialty training and skills allow them to provide each patient and their family with a comfortable and positive experience. Says Edwards, “My goal is to create a place where children, even if they come in with fears or a nervous feeling, can leave with a smile on their face and look forward to their next visit.”
9885 E. 116th St., Ste. 100 Fishers, IN 46037 317-842-8453
babytoothcenter.com
Cami L. Hovda, DDS, PC
FOURTEEN-YEAR WINNER
EAGLE CREEK DENTISTRY
At Eagle Creek Dentistry, Dr. Preeti Singh’s commitment to patient education and to delivering stress-free care with a side of humor leaves patients comfortable and ready to improve and maintain their oral health. With over 32 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Singh fosters long-lasting relationships built on trust and provides all aspects of general dentistry care, with an emphasis on cosmetics, extractions, implants, and gum health. Dr. Singh creates smiles that allow patients to feel like their most authentic and true selves.
5685 Lafayette Rd., Ste. 100 Indianapolis, IN 46254 317-295-1000 eaglecreekdds.com
FISHERS FAMILY DENTISTRY
Dr. Scott Bassett & Dr. Grant Ryan EIGHT-YEAR WINNER & THREE-YEAR WINNER
8410 E. 116th St., Fishers 317-576-0611 FishersFamilyDentistry.com
At Fishers Family Dentistry, we offer a wide variety of services focusing on your dental and overall health. While we practice conservatively and focus on preventive care, we are also confident and experienced in the treatment of major cosmetic smile makeovers and complicated treatment plans. We are patientcentered and go out of our way to provide the most comfortable dental experience.
Dr. Scott Bassett is honored to be recognized as a Top Dentist for the past eight years, and Dr. Grant Ryan for his third!
DR. TIM HOFTIEZER
1610 E. Greyhound Pass, Ste. B Carmel, IN 46032 317-705-5800
TheExtraSmileByDrTim.com
Dr. Tim Hoftiezer and his staff at The Extra Smile excel at providing outstanding care! From your initial welcome through lifelong visits, our wonderful team listens while thoughtfully catering each appointment to best serve your needs.
Dr. Hoftiezer is an Indiana University School of Dentistry graduate. He completes at least 100 hours of continuing education per year, and is active in several local study clubs to provide the best in dental care with the latest technology. Please visit our website to see reviews from our happy patients!
HALLMARK ORTHODONTICS
Hallmark Orthodontics is dedicated to building beautiful smiles through personalized, patient-centered care. Our mission is to deliver exceptional orthodontic treatment with a focus on your unique needs. With a welcoming atmosphere, professional service, and complimentary first consultations, we ensure your experience is smooth and enjoyable. Our team, led by Dr. Hall and Dr. Raber, prioritizes expert, compassionate care for patients of all ages. Discover why Hallmark Orthodontics is trusted for creating confident, lasting smiles.
Dr. Scott Hill is a board-certified endodontist. He graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency at the VA Hospital in Indianapolis, where he gained additional training in the treatment of medically compromised patients before attending Indiana University’s Graduate Endodontic Program. Dr. Hill is also a part-time assistant clinical professor in the Graduate Endodontic Department. Dr. Hill’s priority is providing compassionate care for his patients with the highest level of expertise. Professional life aside, Dr. Hill enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
Dr. Scott Hill
EIGHT-YEAR WINNER
5520 Pebble Village Ln., Ste. 200, Noblesville 317-399-7255 | hillendo.com
DR. LAWRENCE G. FALENDER
At Indianapolis Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we work to ensure that each of our patients gets the highest quality care and the best customer experience.
Dr. Falender, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, has been practicing since 1987 with these goals in mind. He performs all types of oral surgery procedures, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, the All-on-4 procedures, and TMJ treatment.
When you choose us, you will know you’re in the best hands.
1320 N. Post Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-898-2555 IndianapolisOralSurgery.com
IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND PERIODONTICS
As a team, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics has over 100 years of combined experience. Dr. Edwards and Dr. Christman specialize in dental implants and surgical treatment of gum disease. The clinical and administrative team maximize digital diagnostic technology to provide each patient with personalized treatment options, multilevel sedation dentistry, and precise dental implant placement. Dr. Edwards, Dr. Christman, and their staff are dedicated to working closely with general and specialty dentists across Indiana to provide exceptional surgical care.
INDIANAPOLIS
8801 N. Meridian St. Ste. 103 Indianapolis, IN 317-574-0600
FISHERS 9885 E. 116th St. Ste. 300 Fishers, IN 317-842-2273
JENNIFER R. KUGAR, DDS, MSD
Dr. Kugar is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She graduated from Butler University and Indiana School of Dentistry and obtained a master’s in pediatric dentistry from the Indiana University Pediatric Dental Program. At Northeast Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to have a lasting, positive impact on our patients. We serve children in a fun and safe environment and want our patients to be comfortable and feel at ease with their care. In all our work, we want to provide a dental experience like no other so kids understand from a very young age that the dentist is a great place to go and that oral health is very important.
11501 Cumberland Rd., Ste. 600 Fishers, IN 46037 317-585-8055 smile4drkugar.com
Dr. Michael D. Edwards TWELVE-YEAR WINNER
Dr. Adam B. Christman TWO-YEAR WINNER
JULIE L. STANTE, DDS
At Julie L. Stante, DDS, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, the dentist-patient relationship is the most important part of our practice. We offer comprehensive dental care, on-time appointments, and the latest techniques, tools, and advanced technology so our patients receive the best possible experience. Serving the Indianapolis, Fishers, Geist, and Noblesville areas, our practice focus includes family dentistry, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and TMJ therapy incorporating the use of Botox for myofascial pain.
We fi rmly believe combining a personal approach with the latest dental technology provides the best long-term oral health for you and your family. Dr. Julie Stante completed her undergraduate degree at Butler University and earned her dental degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Her commitment to exceptional dentistry is exemplified by her ongoing education and passion for providing the best patient care.
9810 Westpoint Dr., Ste 100 Indianapolis, IN 46256 317-579-1875 juliestantedds.com
TRACEY TABOR WILLIAMS, DMD
SIXTEEN-YEAR
We are honored to be selected as a Top Dentist for the 16th consecutive year. We are grateful for the continued loyalty and trust of our peers and patients. Many things have changed over the years, but our commitment to delivering safe, compassionate, personalized dental care has remained the same.
NEWMAN FAMILY DENTAL
Come meet the Indianapolis dentists who are dedicated to giving you a healthier smile and a happier dental experience! At Newman Family Dentistry, we provide dentistry in Indianapolis and Carmel focused on building lasting relationships with our patients, exactly like the relationships we’ve created between our dentists and team members. To us, you’re just like family! Family means trust. Family means commitment. Family means doing our best for every patient every day—because the minute you walk into our practice, we are on your side. No matter what you need, we’re here to listen, support, and provide the same quality dental services we’d give to our family members. Welcome to the family!
Indianapolis Office 3945 Eagle Creek Pkwy., Ste. A 317-293-3000
303 N. Alabama St., Ste. 270 Indianapolis, IN 46204 drtraceywilliams.com 317-637-4636
Dr. Williams strives to mix artistry and dental knowledge to restore and enhance the dental health of all our patients. In our practice, each patient gets customized treatment well beyond X-rays and a simple diagnosis, which we tailor to their expectations. Our expertise in restoration ranges from complex cosmetic cases to routine maintenance, with the common factor being a devotion to excellent outcomes. Each of our talented team members is devoted to making you feel comfortable, well-informed, and cared for each and every time you walk into our office. We are here to answer your questions, demonstrate proper techniques, and give you further education that will help you take care of your smile in every way. Whether you are looking for a dental home for your regular checkups or for a doctor who can give you a total smile makeover, you have found the dental practice with the advanced equipment, knowledge, and compassion to better serve you. For more information, please call our office at 317-637-4636 or visit our website at drtraceywilliams.com.
Dr. Mikel NewmanDr. Don Newman Dr. Marc Newman
Empowering Women’s Health at Body Bar MD
At Body Bar MD, we know women’s health is unique and often misunderstood. That’s why we’ve created a space where every woman feels heard, valued, and supported. From weight loss programs and hormone replacement therapy, to laser treatments, sexual health, and injectables, our services are designed to address your individual needs. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Christy, we tailor every plan to help you manage symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and weight gain while enhancing confidence and vitality. Take charge of your health today — scan below to schedule your consultation!
Some of Our Services Include:
Why Choose Body Bar MD?
Choosing Body Bar MD means choosing a partner who truly listens and understands the unique challenges women face. Unlike traditional approaches, we prioritize personalized care, tailoring every treatment to fit your individual needs and goals. With Dr. Christy’s expertise and a comprehensive range of services, we go beyond addressing symptoms — we help you reclaim your energy, confidence, and vitality. At Body Bar MD, you’re not just another patient; you’re part of a community committed to empowering women’s health. Take the first step toward feeling your best with a team who puts YOU first.
Biology isn’t always kind to women as they reach that proverbial “certain age.” Sometime around perimenopause, when hormone activity begins to shift, many women notice unwelcome changes in their bodies and their psyches. Their waistlines expand. Their brains start feeling fuzzy. The numbers on the scale go up. Their skin loses volume and changes texture. They may look in the mirror and see someone they don’t recognize.
involve the use of medication, but not always, and not at the beginning.”
Other Body Bar treatments include laser vaginal regeneration and cosmetic procedures including surface treatments and body contouring. Watson hopes women know they don’t have to live with the discomforts of aging.
“It’s a medical condition that needs to be addressed,” she says.
PREMIER WEIGHT LOSS
8902 N. Meridian St., Ste. 100, 317-643-4444; 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Ste. 315, 317-567-9100; pwlindy.com
worth by a number on a scale. But for many mature women, extra weight is chipping away at their image and sense of self-esteem. It’s bad enough that they can no longer wear 80 percent of their wardrobe. One day they realize they can’t keep up with their
“That can be one of the driving forces for wanting to lose weight,” says Thomas Hilbert, owner of Premier Weight Loss in Indianapolis.
Premier bills itself as bringing concierge weight loss medicines to the obesity management landscape, Hilbert says. Anyone with a television knows about newer medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®. These prescriptions
a month without insurance, Hilbert says. Compounded versions of the medications are currently available due to a shortage in the brand name drug supply, but they lack the safety oversight required by the brand name versions. Instead, Premier Weight Loss cuts out the pharmaceutical middleman and buys medications in bulk, dispensing them through a team of medical professionals. Hilbert stresses, however, that Premier Weight Loss isn’t just a place for patients to grab miracle weight loss pills. Premier’s services start with a thorough assessment, including a state-of-theart InBody 970 body scan. This allows clinicians to determine whether weight loss medications are the best option. It also keeps tabs on muscle mass, which can quickly diminish with weight loss and lead to other health problems. “We’re concerned about losing skeletal muscle mass,” Hilbert says.
“The body scan can tell you how much skeletal muscle mass you have.”
If medications are deemed appropriate, patients start on lower doses, increasing the dosage as necessary. Premier Weight Loss works with patients throughout the weight loss journey, overseeing muscle mass changes, addressing any
medication when goals are met.
“When they’re meeting their goal
we will create a program based on the individual,” Hilbert says. “We’ve probably had 400 to 450 patients come
TURKLE & ASSOCIATES AND PHASES ® SKIN CARE & LASER CENTER
11455 N. Meridian St., Ste. 150, Carmel, 317-848-0001, turklemd.com
Beneath the surface of mature women’s skin lies a complex story, one that age spot. Despite the platitudes about earning these wrinkles and gray hairs, some women seek to rewrite the story their faces and bodies tell. Enter Janet
surgeon. She’s ready to craft a fresher visage for women who would like to look as young and fresh as they feel. “I think the best aesthetic procedure is the one that nobody really can identify,” Turkle says. “If you walk out looking like you just had a bunch of
Changing hormone levels can also rearrange what’s going on under the skin, Turkle says. Skin thickness can decrease, making wrinkles more pronounced. Women may notice their faces are losing volume, and the skin and underlying support structure is relaxing as well. The skin isn’t hanging onto moisture like it used to. Turkle’s anti-aging arsenal includes a variety of techniques, ranging from noninvasive procedures like and neurotoxins, to surgical procedures during which she removes excess skin and eliminates the jowls and sagginess that come with age.
Noninvasive procedures remain popular due to their ease of application and quick results. Something as simple as a 10-minute laser treatment can target sunspots and other damage women didn’t think about when they were chasing a tan in their 20s. Fillers allow Turkle and her colleagues to inject a range of substances under the skin to plump up wrinkles and restore lost volume. Neurotoxins like Botox® can be injected directly into the muscles that have women stuck in a permanent frown, relaxing muscles and smoothing
derived human growth factor can build collagen and stimulate healing.
Surgical procedures are more
with dramatic results. Blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery that removes excess skin from the upper eyelid and bagginess underneath the eyes, giving the patient a rested, more youthful look. A facelift focuses on the lower face, neck, and jawline and is often combined with other facial procedures like forehead lifts and chin implants. “I think some women just think, ‘I look better than this,’” Turkle says. “They feel more youthful than they look.”
Those who are seeking a miracle in a bottle may want to ask Turkle about medical-grade skin care. These potions and moisturizers have stronger ingredients than what you can buy at the drugstore, and women may see improvement after several months. At the very least, Turkle says, wear sunscreen to minimize any continuing damage.
“Even at older ages, you still have skin, and you still have to care for it,” she says.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 71
from other bidders around the country, he says, but Indy’s proven track record in sports and Indiana’s strong volleyball community won in the end. For Shumacher, the new venture was a chance to combine three passions. “I love volleyball because I saw all the great experiences my kids had and how it taught them to win,” he says.
“The second thing I love is finding the right people and saying, ‘I don’t know how we do this, but let’s go.’ And third, it’s a chance to do something cool for our community.”
The front office is led by Huse, a seasoned startup executive who, like Schumacher, played collegiate tennis. During the pandemic, she steered the Indy-based company Mandolin in pioneering virtual concerts, and in just its first year it was named the best live-music streaming platform at the prestigious Pollstar Awards. Kenzie Knuckles, a product of Munciana who started all four years at Nebraska, is in charge of player relations. Cathy Kightlinger, a former Indianapolis Star reporter and publicist for the IndyCar Series, leads communications. Head coach Padjen left his legendary post at Concordia University in Minnesota, where he took the program to its status as the winningest Division II volleyball team ever. He had a good thing going at Concordia, but the opportunity to coach pro was too tempting to pass up.
Padjen’s first phone call was to Sydney Hilley, an All-American setter from the University of Wisconsin. Hilley had trained with Padjen in her native Minnesota as a junior player. She later led Wisconsin to its first NCAA title while playing for coach Kelly Sheffield, himself a Munciana alum. Hilley was named the Big Ten Setter of the Year three times. After graduating, she played one season with a dominant team in Turkey, where volleyball players are stars, and another
in Puerto Rico, then returned home to use her science degree. She earned a master’s in biotechnology and took a job with a medical device company.
Last year, Hilley was able to juggle her full-time job while playing for the PVF’s Omaha Supernovas in the league’s first year. She was named the playoff MVP and led Omaha to the league title. Then she signed with Indy to reunite with Padjen. “He’s one of the best technical coaches I’ve ever worked with,” she says.
Ten other Ignite players competed in the PVF’s inaugural season last year, including three Purdue alums (Grace Cleveland, Blake Mohler, and Maddie Schermerhorn) and star hitter Leketor Member-Meneh, an All-American who played college volleyball at Pittsburgh. Her former teammate, Chiamaka Nwokolo, joined the Ignite in last June’s draft after going to the Final Four with Pitt, which has the most NCAA wins since 2018. Setter Kylie Murr and hitter Carly Skjodt trained at Munciana and played in the Big Ten. Azhani Tealer won an NCAA championship with Kentucky, and Ainise Havili was a three-time All-American and twice Big 12 Setter of the Year. In November’s college draft, Ignite picked up outside hitter Anna DeBeer and libero Elena Scott, both from University of Louisville and known collectively at their alma mater as “The Duo.”
The Ignite has the potential to play as good as any team in the world. The rival pro league, League One, has the jump on the PVF in terms of marquee names from the ranks of the top Americans competing in Europe, but PVF landed quite a few distinguished players who don’t want to live overseas. For the athletes, it’s a chance to play in front of their families and friends again, which most of them didn’t believe they’d have the chance to do after college. The salaries are higher across the board than in Europe, too. “People can make good money overseas, but some girls play nine months for $10,000,” Hilley says. The PVF’s rookie salary this year is $60,000 (compared to around $70,000 for the WNBA), and star players can earn six figures—for less than six months of play. The Ignite also provides team housing.
The team bonded over dinner in Indianapolis in August last year, and
Hilley says the conversation dove deep as they discussed why they play volleyball at all. This opportunity to pioneer the professional level in the U.S. has them fired up. They get to be the examples they didn’t have as junior players, when most of them didn’t know the sport was played professionally anywhere. “These girls want to succeed. They want to work their butts off. It made me so excited to come here and play,” Hilley says. She and a few Ignite teammates got a taste of the potential fandom when they made a promotional appearance at an Indiana Fever game last summer. “The people who came up to me were so excited,” she says. “They said they had just bought tickets, or didn’t even know the Ignite is a thing but now will come watch. It’s really cool to see how much people here really appreciate sports, but also like women’s sports.”
Indeed, Indiana Sports Corp announced last summer that it aims to make Indianapolis the women’s sports capital of the world by 2050. Details are short at this point, but the Ignite offered a data point when it sold more than 600 season tickets before the schedule was released in the fall, which was more than most PVF teams sold all season last year. The team is counting on Indiana’s thousands of volleyball players and their families to attend games.
As positive as the early indicators are, and as much as the PVF is investing to create a serious organization that offers livable salaries and has a network of pro venues, experienced front offices, and medical staffs, it’s no sure thing. The sport is still unknown to the general sports public. “You’ve still got to push tickets, you’ve got to get the word out, you’ve got to create the brand, and you’ve got to always stay in front of people,” Schumacher says. “You’ve still got to block and tackle.”
The fact that even a volleyball team owner reaches for a different sports metaphor to describe a volleyball team proves his point—volleyball is not part of the American sports lexicon. One thing insiders know, though, is that volleyball is all about positivity. That’s why it’s tradition for teams to huddle after every point and for the bench to dance and cheer on the sidelines. “Volleyball is nonstop picking each other up and supporting each other,” Schumacher says. “I love that piece of it.”
Photo by
Dishes from Ka-Ne Sushi Thai Fusion (p. 102).
Brunch Outdoor seating Reservations
V Vegetarian friendly
Named one of IM’s Best Restaurants in 2024
New addition to the guide
$$$$ $50 and up
$$$ $30–$40
$$ $20–$30
$ Under $20
Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining Feedback? Please email ebatey@IndianapolisMonthly.com
9th Street Bistro
BR 2024 SEASONAL Co-owners Samir and Rachel Firestone Mohammad’s tiny innovator is almost always packed by fans eager for the duo’s globally inspired Midwestern dishes. In response, the pair has created a community dinner series to allow even more patrons to sample their takes on the local farmstead ingredients that inspire their dishes. Mussels in aromatic broth, house-made burrata with of-the-moment garnishes, and pasta with shrimp and lemony cream sauce still anchor the menu, but it’s better to let the creative duo keep you guessing. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-7745065, 9thstbistro.com V $$$
10th Street Diner
VEGAN Surprisingly familiar and hearty plant-based takes on diner classics occupy the entire menu at this rehab of a former pawn shop, a comfy backdrop for enjoying such tasty fakeouts as a gooey seitan Reuben, a “chicken” pot pie, and chili that rivals your favorite con carne version. 3301 E. 10th St., 463-221-1255 V$$
Abyssinia
ETHIOPIAN This spot—where diners use a spongy sour flatbread known as injera in lieu of utensils—provides a thorough introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Aficionados of East African food will be impressed by the seasoning of the stewed lamb, beef, and spicy chicken; vegans and vegetarians will appreciate their greens, lentils, and chickpeas. 352 W. 38th St., 299-0608, abyssiniaindy.com V $$
Ali’i Poke
POKE Follow the IU and Purdue students to this delightfully fresh fast-food spot just off the now-separate schools’ Indianapolis campuses. The scooped-to-order poke bowls have a rice base (sticky or brown) over which customers layer their protein of choice (chicken or tofu are also on offer) and a rainbow of add-ons. Fresh mango, edamame, avocado, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, and unagi sauce are just a few of the available toppings. Go wild ladling them on, or get the Hawaiian Style with just rice and fish. Multiple locations, aliipoke.com V $$
Anthony’s Chophouse
STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter along Carmel’s Main Street has the polished gleam of a new Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, another fine dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic wagyu burger. Take note—the steak menu also lists a spinalis. You may never eat another steak this perfect. Black-suited servers and well-composed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317740-0900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$
Aroma Experience
INDIAN Vinita Singh’s portfolio of restaurants expanded in March 2024, when she brought a new location of her Aroma mini-chain of restaurants to Carmel City Center. Those who enjoy her Aroma Indian Cuisine and Bar spots in Fountain Square and SoBro will find plenty to like in this glitzy, date-night venue. The other locations’ daily dinner menus of Northern Indian dishes such as tikka masala and Kerala-style curry are on offer, as are ambitious entrees including a lehsuni prawn dish that plays notably with Aroma’s coconut and cashew naan. (There’s also a chili garlic naan so engaging that one could enjoy it unaccompanied.) Lunch, which is served daily, is a more concise affair of bowls, rolls, and wraps. There’s also a full bar and some standout, homemade ice cream–based desserts. 885 Monon Green Blvd., Carmel, 317-993-3021, aromaindy.com V$$$
Ash & Elm Cider Co.
CIDERY Ash & Elm’s array of complex and quaffable ciders gets broader all the time, with funky cocktails demonstrating a flavor profile well beyond sweet apples in the vibrant tasting room at the former Ford Assembly Plant on Washington Street. The food pairs beautifully with the drinks, from the now legendary elote fritters made with Indiana corn and cilantro crema to the crispy fried Brussels sprouts flavored with cider vinaigrette. A thick-cut Cuban and an Italian hoagie with all the meats are great choices among sandwiches, though the pimento cheeseburger with pickled green tomato is hard to beat. But more uptown offerings, such as ricotta gnocchi with seasonal garnishes or a lunchtime bulgogi noodle bowl, showcase how cider brings out the flavors in world cuisines as deliciously as fine wines. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164; 525 North End Dr., Carmel, 317-740-1991; ashandelmcider.com V $$$
Athens on 86th
GREEK Whether you select a large chicken gyro or the kota psiti—a roasted chicken with green beans and Greek potatoes—add an order of the fries, served here with feta, Mediterranean spices, and Greek dressing. Their gyro pizza is a fun marriage of the craveable classics, and it’s hard to argue with their multiple takes on the classic Greek salad. For the hungry, indecisive, or just plain adventurous, the sampler platter gathers nearly everything in the expansive menu onto one plate. 2284 W. 86th St., 317-879-8644, athenson86th.com V $$
Auberge
FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bistro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (of The Loft at Traders Point Creamery and Plow & Anchor) in early 2022 and immediately sent him to Paris, where he trained in the kitchens of famed chef Alain Ducasse. Moreno has added that continental know-how to the vintage dishes he makes fresh with as much local produce, meats, and cheeses as he can. That translates to an impressive plate of buttery escargot topped with croutons, seasonal salads, and a deeply flavorful French onion soup with a rich broth. Seafood shines among the entrees, especially crispy-skinned roasted cod, though diver scallops with asparagus puree showered with herbs and toasted almonds also impress. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-8755, auberge-restaurant.com $$$$
Baan
Thai Bistro
THAI Roxanna Williams’ cozy Thai eatery, which she opened in a former house and hair salon in late spring of 2023, is a welcome addition to Wanamaker’s dining offerings, bringing aromatic flavors and artful presentations to dishes like the lightly breaded and fried Son-in-Law Eggs (Kai Look Keuy), which is drizzled with earthy-sweet tamarind sauce, and generous summer rolls that come with a trio of tangy dipping sauces. Less expected starters to split include rich and flavorful Isan Thai Sausage with just the right amount of spice, served with a not-too-hot dipping sauce and a darling bamboo basket of sticky rice; a Crispy Rice Salad that crackles and pops; and airy steamed dumplings. Hearty Boat Noodle Soup and Crispy Pork Belly Ramen with a light mushroom-scented broth are good bets for main dishes, as are the kicky Crying Tiger Steak and more typical curries and noodle dishes. Adventurous diners will want to try one of three fish dishes redolent of ginger and basil, and a sumptuous mix of whole chicken drumsticks and sweet curry noodles makes for a comforting supper. 8705 Southeastern Ave., 317-759-8424, baanthaibistro .com V $$
Baby’s
BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails. Housed in a former drag show bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy—the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory. Sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-600-3559, babysindy.com V $$
Bearded Bagel
DELI Food truck veteran Tom Race opened this brick-and-mortar bagel deli on Indy’s northeast side in late 2021, featuring his signature steamed bagel sandwiches with dozens of topping combinations. Breakfast versions, such as the Slammin Sammy with bacon, egg, and American cheese or the Hangover Helper with spicy cream cheese, bacon, egg, and three slices of cheese are a no-brainer. But whimsical tributes to fast-food favorites, such as the
R-Bee’s with roast beef and extra cheddar, are great lunch choices. Vegetarians can opt for the Urban Farmer with “all the veggies,” avocado, and cheese, and traditionalists can sink into a cream cheese–schmeared bagel with lox, tomato, capers, onions, and cucumbers. Puffy cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and loaded tater tots with sausage gravy, bacon, cheese, and eggs complete the menu, along with a short list of cookies and brownies. 7305 E. 96th St., 317-516-5938, beardedbagel.com V $$
Beholder
BR 2024 CONTEMPORARY You never know what to expect from restaurateur Jonathan Brooks’ Windsor Park kitchen, aside from one of the most innovative and wellexecuted meals in town. The menu is difficult to track, mainly because Brooks builds his dishes around seasonal ingredients that are fresh and of-the-moment. Impeccable servers will guide you through the evening’s offerings, which start small at the top of the menu (fresh oysters, perhaps, or pork rinds with kimchi and chicken liver mousse) and bulk up toward the bottom (think wild boar Bolognese or a massive pork Wellington portioned for two). Finish with the most exotic flavor of house-made ice cream. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com V $$$$
Bluebeard
Bodhi Craft Bar + Thai Bistro
BR
2024
THAI
This Mass Ave restaurant serves a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by beverage director Dalton Lineback. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy .com V $$$
Bonge’s Tavern
IN BLOOM
Follow the flowers to Arden Cafe & Cocktail Lounge, opened in December at 6 W. Washington St. The all-day cafe’s dining room is completely covered in huge floral displays that serve as an escape hatch from daily life as well as a perfect backdrop for a big, blooming set of selfies.
BR 2024 CONTEMPORARY Tom and Ed Battista’s charming little restaurant has led the charge in getting Indy’s dining scene on the national radar. A perennial nominee for the James Beard Awards with mentions in outlets such as The New York Times and Bon Appétit, Bluebeard—which takes its name from one of native son Kurt Vonnegut’s novels—still delivers on the hype. The menu has settled into a comfortable groove, starting with shareable small plates such as house-frizzled chips and French onion dip, gourmet bar nuts, and grilled bread from sibling bakery Amelia’s served with a flight of slatherings. A plate-spanning Faroe Island salmon, beef-and-pork Bolognese, and other larger entrees make for a nice, lingering dinner accompanied by ambitious cocktails in a delightfully shabby dining room decorated with shelves of books and Vonnegutera typewriters 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy.com V $$$
Bob’s Indian Kitchen
INDIAN A surprisingly spacious and airy counter-service restaurant located in a new mini-strip in Hendricks County houses Bhavesh “Bob” Patel’s ode to home-cooked Indian cuisine. Irresistible entry-level cream cheese bhajia and dreamy butter chicken get just as much respect as the crispy pani puri filled with tamarind water, the goat biryani, and a nice list of hearty and abundantly flavorful Indian pizzas. For a sweet finish, cool your tastebuds with sweet sips of mango lassi. 618 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 317-983-0225, bobsindian.square.site V $$
AMERICAN Opened in the 1930s near the rush of the White River and purchased by Charles Bonge a little over 10 years later, Bonge’s Tavern has been a part of Indiana dining history for more than 90 years. In the fall of 2023, Burgess Restaurant Group purchased it and installed Dean Sample as executive chef. The centerpiece of the menu is still the signature tenderloin, appropriately named the Perkinsville Pork. Other favorites include a stuffed duck breast and a fresh fish entree. Chef Sample inflects his own ideas into the menu, with a Southern influence. It’s worth the risk to order whatever delightful special he adds to the menu. Make sure to grab a reservation long before you plan to go—they go quick—and arrive early enough to tailgate in the parking lot with other diners, a Bonge’s tradition worth keeping. 9830 W. 280 N, Perkinsville, 765-734-1625, bongestavern.com $$$
Borage
ALL-DAY CAFE Josh Kline and Zoë Taylor’s long-awaited all-day cafe, dinner spot, and market took years longer to open than they expected when they chose its Speedway site. Some even despaired that the couple in business and life—who met while toiling in the kitchen at Milktooth—might never see their dream realized. But suddenly this summer, Borage threw its doors open, and all worries vanished. Every menu lineup, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between, is a collage of standby ingredients, such as polenta or milk bread, reimagined into well-portioned small plates that will fill your table. Mussels float in kimchi-flecked coconut broth alongside a meatloaf sandwich made with brisket and bacon. Every aspect of the restaurant, its bakery, and the attached retail space feels thought-through and intentional. Borage was worth the wait. 1609 N. Lynhurst Dr., 317-734-3958, borageeats.com V $$
The Burger Joint
AMERICAN Tucked away in a strip mall off Emerson Way and 56th Street, The Burger Joint is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered. They don’t take hamburgers lightly; the menu is full of specialty patties topped with savory and tender brisket, grilled pineapple, or spicy chorizo. They all pair well with hand-battered onion rings, fries, or loaded tater tots. If the burgers are what bring you in, it’s the milkshakes that make you stay— hand-dipped and served in an old-fashioned
glass, piled high with whipped cream, and, of course, garnished with a cherry on top. 5450 E. Fall Creek Pkwy. N Dr., 317-991-4995, indysburgerjoint.com $$
Cafe Euclid
COFFEEHOUSE Lattes and espresso drink specials top the caffeinated offerings, and bagels sourced from Bloomington’s Scholars Inn Bakehouse get dressed up with Italian meats, smoked salmon, or avocado and veggies to complete your morning pick-me-up. But house-baked cinnamon rolls and generous chocolate chip cookies with flakes of sea salt are worth the visit alone. Colorful murals paying homage to the Greek mathematician Euclid, repurposed wood accents, and plenty of patio seating make this a soothing daytime sitting spot before heading for adult beverages next door. 357 Euclid Ave., Greenwood, 317-360-9887, cafe-euclid.com $
Cafe Patachou
CAFE The so-called “student union for adults” continues to draw in the morning crowds and has inspired citywide offshoots. The wait for a weekend table can be brutal (but is worth it), as the cinnamon toast remains as thick as a brick, the produce is still locally sourced, the massive omelets continue to have cheeky names, and the broken-yolk sandwiches are a perennial lunch favorite. Multiple locations, cafepatachou.com V $$
Che Chori
ARGENTINEAN The focus of the menu at this colorful drive-thru is a selection of traditional butterflied-sausage sandwiches and warm empanadas filled with seasoned meats. Make sure to pick up the house-made dulce de leche, which is sold by the jar, as well as their churros and specialty Argentinian shortbread cookies. And don’t overlook the cook-at-home sausages, from Spanish-style chorizo to Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori.com $$
Cheeky Bastards
BR 2024
ENGLISH Co-owners Michael Rypel and chef Robert Carmack fell in love with British culture and cuisine during travels abroad. Their Geist restaurant is a true tribute to the food, serving not only a classic full English breakfast and sausage rolls made with imported meat but also a very convincing fish and chips featuring crispy planks and hand-cut potatoes. Don’t forget to ask for the malt vinegar or the HP Sauce for the full UK experience. 11210 Fall Creek Rd., 317-288-9739, cbindy.com $$
Chin Brothers
BURMESE One of the oldest Burmese restaurants in town, this brightly lit and friendly spot attached to a large, well-stocked market serves as a cultural center for immigrants from the Chin state of Myanmar. Invigorating refreshers such as sweet tea with condensed milk and a cane syrup beverage with puffed rice offer a colorful taste of Burmese culture. Fried rice and soups are solid standards here, as well as luscious and tender curried goat. Their Lahpet Thohk salad, made with fermented tea leaves, greens, and spices, may be one of the best in the region. 2320 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-888-1850, chinbrothers.com V $$
SMALL BITE
Chopped Cheese Boys
DELI New York’s beloved bodega snack is the eponymous specialty at this no-frills Irvington convenience store and takeout deli. True to form, well-seasoned ground beef gets chopped on a sizzling flattop, then pressed into a sub sandwich roll, and finally topped with plenty of gooey cheese and mayo, which makes for a rich and flavorful mashup of the smashburger and a Philly cheesesteak. But be sure to dip into the eye-popping menu of wings, chicken tenders, fried fish, and—another Big Apple food cart favorite—chicken over rice (tender grilled chicken breast meat with a signature white sauce slathered over rice). Try it with lamb, as well, or go meatless with falafel. 1520 N. Arlington Ave., 317377-4951 V $$$
Commission Row
BR 2024 FINE
DINING This glossy spot from Indy’s near-ubiquitous Cunningham Restaurant Group is just steps from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and it reflects its neighbor’s baller vibes with a three-figure seafood tower, caviar service, and an eight-steak menu (which offers add-ons such as foie gras and lobster tail). Sure, you can play small with its excellent burger or sizable salads, but if you do, you’ll be missing the point. Appropriately, its wine list leads with bubbles by the glass or bottle, while its cocktail list boasts eight takes on a classic martini. 110 S. Delaware St., 317-550-2500, commissionrow.com $$$$
Convivio
ITALIAN With a menu that traces the geographical regions in Italy, this is not your average red-sauce joint. The pasta, including curled nests of black squid ink spaghetti and purple beet-infused fettuccine, are all made in-house. The torchietti pasta, tossed with dried figs, black olives, basil, goat cheese, and parmesan, has been known to induce deep cravings in the weeks after eating, and the frutti di mare packs a generous serving of mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and calamari with tonnarelli pasta in a spicy and bright tomato sauce. Beyond pasta, the menu offers Neapolitan-style pizzas served blistered and hot from the imported Italian pizza oven, rotating regional specials, and an easy-to-navigate, Italian-heavy wine list that makes picking a bottle for the table a pleasure. 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Carmel, 317-564-4670, convivioindy.com $$$
Cooper & Cow
STEAKHOUSE Louisville-based Endeavor Restaurant Group’s swashbuckling steakhouse in downtown Fishers is perhaps distinguished most by its intimacy and calm, where diners can actually hear their dinner companions across the table. The 4,200-square-foot space, which was last an outpost of LouVino, has been transformed with well-appointed decor that recalls the swankier saloons of preProhibition days. It makes a great backdrop for surprisingly fresh, well-prepared seafood offerings alongside prime aged filets, ribeyes, and wagyu flank steak. A house wagyu burger is more than dinner-worthy, and sides such as fried Brussels sprouts with roasted garlic and bresaola are excellent for sharing. Save room for a towering wedge of bourbon-enriched chocolate cake with both
dark chocolate ganache and milk chocolate buttercream. 8626 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-288-2801, cooperandcow.com $$$
A Cup of Chai
TEAHOUSE Punjab native Pravy Nijjar’s cozy, funky teahouse, which opened in July of 2023 on a secluded section of Shelby Street in Fountain Square, offers a true taste of Indianstyle chai with several different spice profiles. For the genuine article, go for the masala chai, a dairy-forward drink that features ginger, cardamom, fennel, and cloves, equally good hot or iced. Pair that with one of Nijjar’s street food–inspired snacks, such as golden, aromatic samosas or tasty kati rolls (tender paratha stuffed with spiced chicken, paneer, or potatoes). Coffee drinkers can get an espresso or cappuccino, and those avoiding caffeine can go for a spice-infused golden latte, mango lassi, or minty pineapple lemonade. 1028 Shelby St., 317-998-4463, acupofchai.us $
Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine
BR 2024 LATIN AMERICAN A subtle name change in the last year, owing to a legal request from the international fast-food chain Nando’s, has done nothing to diminish the spirit and vibrant flavors of this Broad Ripple restaurant featuring the cuisines of Mexico and Brazil. Enjoying a flight of fruit-infused caipirinhas and a plate of crisp, savory chicken croquettes on Fernando’s spacious sheltered patio is still a warm-weather delight, and dishes like feijoada with fall-apart-tender pork and rich stewed black beans, as well as chicken stroganoff and a delectable Brazilian take on the homey pot pie, remain hearty staples that are hard to find elsewhere. Fare such as queso fundido and arroz con pollo more than hold their own against the best, and refreshing desserts such as an ultra-creamy flan and Brazilian-style guava cheesecake are worth saving a few bites of your entrees to make room for. 834 E. 64th St., 317-377-4779, fernandosindy.com $$$
Field Brewing
Franklin’s quaint main drag puts its inventory center stage in a compact menu of sandwiches. Top picks are the Well-Dressed Italian, which is built around thin-sliced salami, provolone, and banana peppers, and the fig-forward Franklin Jam that puts thick-sliced Fischer Farms ham and Gruyere to delicious use. 90 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, 463-710-6170, fieldtofork .shop $$
Gather 22
BR 2024 CONTEMPORARY This colorfully cozy all-day hangout and cocktail spot in Fall Creek Place from Byrne’s Grilled Pizza owners Adam Reinstrom and Pablo Gonzalez draws on Reinstrom’s love of interior design and Gonzalez’s background in innovative mixology. Vibrant wall fixtures by creators such as Bootleg Signs & Murals and revolving works by locals from the LGBTQ art community provide a funky backdrop for sipping seasonal elixirs, such as the bracing but balanced Bourbon Renewal. Salads include a wedge with smoked blue cheese and roastedpoblano ranch. Byrne’s original pizzas, cracker-thin and charred, are on offer, as are thicker-crusted Roman-style oval pies with well-chosen toppings. Fresh takes on shareable plates include crispy-skinned salmon with kale and quinoa and intriguing scallop sliders with Asian-style slaw. On Sundays, the brunch menu features classics such as egg dishes and French toast. There are also breakfast pizzas such as the Chilaquiles, a thin crust topped with chorizo, salsa, eggs, and fried tortillas. Coffee drinks and a solid sandwich list anchor the daytime menu, and desserts feature a luxe take on the Hoosier classic sugar cream pie. 22 E. 22nd St., 317-258-2222, gather22.com $$
The HC Tavern + Kitchen
A CUT ABOVE
Swanky steakhouse Charred will soon open in Carmel with a menu of unique cuts and rare bourbons. The restaurant at 61 W. City Center Dr. promises a “cozy, dimly lit ambiance,” which we’re already looking forward to puncturing with the cellphone light we’ll likely need to read the menu.
BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space, but the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. The kitchen skillfully prepares standout dishes, such as tender lamb ribs with chimichurri and deeply caramelized Brussels sprouts, served with hunks of bacon, that are some of the best in town. Their event space is simple-chic and full of natural light, available (with reservations) for special receptions and birthdays—or just for big family and friend gatherings. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-8049780, fieldbrewing.com V $$$
Field to Fork
SANDWICHES This gourmet market and local meat counter that set up shop along downtown
CONTEMPORARY The term “tavern” hardly captures this swank addition to the Huse Culinary Group/St. Elmo family. A hit among starters is the Lobster “Cargot” with lumps of lobster meat in garlic butter and melted Havarti. Chops include the supper club darling steak Diane with mushroom cream sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes, though equally regal is the wagyu meatloaf enriched with pork and veal, sauced with a truffle mushroom demi-glace. For dessert, choose the salted honey cream pie. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-5304242, atthehc.com $$$
Hoosier Roots
COMFORT Don’t miss this gem serving family-style mains and side dishes in a roadhouse setting. Owner Greg Steller runs the tiny kitchen, preparing house-smoked salmon, herb-crusted roast beef, beer can chicken, and other classics. Buttermilk fried chicken is the signature dish, and a generous eight pieces is served family style with hot sauce and local honey. Desserts are meant to be shared, but you won’t want to—there’s a honey lavender cake with bauchant icing that’s worth keeping for yourself. 26 E. Main St., Pittsboro, 317-892-0071, hoosierrootscatering.com $$
SMALL BITE
Julieta Taco Shop
BR 2024 MEXICAN Gabriel Sañudo and Esteban Rosas’ taco shop in the Stutz Building shows the pair’s skill and fine dining experience in little details such as the marinades for meats, tortillas handcrafted from heirloom corn varieties, and surprisingly flavorful vegetarian options. Start with a signature taco al pastor, the meat shaved directly from a rotating spit, and pair that with one of the other tender grilled or braised meats, such as the earthy brisket-like suadero. 1060 N. Capitol Ave. $$
King Dough
BR 2024 PIZZA This industrial-feeling pizza spot began as a student-friendly Bloomington destination in 2014; now it’s a local mini-chain with three locations. The huge wood-burning pizza oven (it’s named Thunder Dome) is the first thing diners see when they enter the space, and the open kitchen feels like a grown-up version of the exhibition pizzerias so popular in the 1980s. But this is present-day pizza, bubbly and charred, with seasonal toppings such as truffles and imported Taleggio cheese. Multiple locations, kingdoughpizzas.com V $$
Love Handle
SANDWICHES Daily lunch and brunch features such as schnitzel and waffles and a pulledchicken Hot Brown are the main draw at Chris and Ally Benedyk’s cheeky sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu (which is also updated online) also offers side options in the form of braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. Fridays often see a fish special, and weekends are a chef’s playground of eggy experiments, satisfying hashes, and sweet sides. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1102 $$
Maialina Italian Kitchen + Bar
ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene. Meatballs from a family recipe with a solid house marinara are always a good choice. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com V $$$$
Main & Madison Market Cafe
BAKERY Franklin’s first hospital was reborn as a breakfast and lunch hot spot in 2018, when co-owners and cousins Amy Richardson and Stephanie Northern opened their bakery and cafe just steps from the city’s historic courthouse. With its combination of Brooklyncool baristas (many are students at nearby Franklin College) and Midwestern friendliness and prices, it attracts long lines for its list of coffee drinks as well as its rotating menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. The roasted pepper and gouda soup is especially satisfying; that it’s served with one of their caramelized onion and goat cheese scones turns it into a special treat. Pastries like a shareable-sized pecan sticky bun or a stuffed peanut butter cookie are a sugar crash waiting to happen but are more than worth the ride. 100 N. Main St., Franklin, 317-736-6246, mainandmadison.cafe V $$
Milktooth
BR 2024 BRUNCH This airy diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe and a menu that changes with both the seasons and the whims of its chef. The early morning counter service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch and lunch menu—if they’re serving a Dutch baby pancake, get it. Daytime craft cocktails are also on offer, pairing well with a rotating selection of substantial savory offerings such as latkes, sandwiches, and salads. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milktoothindy.com V $$
Mr. Patakon
ROLL IN
New pan-Asian spot
Ka-ne Sushi Thai Fusion is making waves at 5858 N. College Ave. The restaurant offers over-the-top rolls, delicious duck noodles, and spicy soft shell crab curry with equal care. The Som Tum Two Tone, a salad with fresh and deep-fried papaya, might be the menu’s biggest star.
COLOMBIAN The name of Diana Moreno and Brenda Sánchez’s cheerful, authentic southside Colombian eatery comes from the popular Latin and South American dish patacones—flattened, fried plantains filled with everything from shredded barbecue chicken criollo to cheese, corn, and shredded beef. Or try the Super Perro hot dog, which is topped with every meat in the kitchen, quail eggs, and a special house sauce. Mazorcada (heaps of sweet corn topped with meats, cheeses, and potato sticks) is a delectable side dish. Fruit drinks and desserts, especially obleas (wafer cookies filled with dulce de leche and cheese), are worth the extra calories for a flavor experience like no other in the city. 7415 U.S. 31, 317-692-9829, mrpatakon.com $$
Natural State Provisions
CASUAL Customers order at the counter and find a table inside this former microbrewery. The food is rooted in homestyle Arkansas cooking from co-owner Adam Sweet’s native state, heavy on the deep-frying and sweet tea–brining, but you shouldn’t miss the daily soft serve ice cream flavor. If the weather is warm, take a seat at one of the picnic tables outside and watch the neighborhood pups frolic in the adjacent dog park. 414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com $$
Negrill Jamaican Restaurant and Bar
JAMAICAN You’ll need to come early to this spirited island spot if you want to score some of the day’s tender, rich oxtail stew or aromatic curried goat, served up in “lickle” (little) or larger portions dressed with rice and peas, steamed cabbage, and sweet fried plantains. Jerk chicken has just the right heat. Beef patties, fried or “escovitch” fish garnished with tangy veggies, and soups, depending on the day, round out the menu. 3701 W. 10th St., 317-602-8553, negrillrestaurant.com $$
Nesso
ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside The Alexander hotel. Take a seat in a cushiony booth and pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass all to yourself. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia.com V $$$
Nowhere Special COCKTAIL BITES Dan Cage’s funky cocktail lounge and small bites spot is far from its all-too-modest name. Sleek banquettes in earthy greens and brushed brass tabletops provide an elegant backdrop to classic pours and a host of new elixirs created by the talented bar staff. Try the light and fruity Love Island with passion fruit liqueur, tangy citrus cordial, and bubbles. 608 Massachusetts Ave., nowhereindy.com $$
Oakleys Bistro
CONTEMPORARY
The meticulously plated fare at Steven Oakley’s eatery hails from a culinary era when sprigs of herbs and puddles of purees provided the flavor, and every single element on the plate served a purpose. The presentations are wild, with menu descriptions giving little more than clues as to what might arrive at the table. Heads-up on anything that appears in quotes, such as a creative “Coq au Vin.” 1464 W. 86th St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com V $$$
Our Table
CONTEMPORARY The location is suitably cozy and out of the way for Bargersville’s newest fine dining destination. Chef and owner Joe Miller focuses on gorgeous, rustic plates of steak, seafood, and Old World lasagna made with fresh pasta and generous layers of beef Bolognese, mozzarella, and creamy ricotta. The brioche sliders (containing buttermilk fried chicken or beef tenderloin with crispy onions and horseradish creme fraiche) are little bites of heaven. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317-847-4920, ourtablerestaurant.com V $$$
Revery
CONTEMPORARY This Old Greenwood bistro inside an 1800s-era drugstore offers approachable fine dining, with a more casual bar on the historic building’s back end. Small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi, while entrees are seasonal and skew toward seafood, with lobster, halibut, and mussels on recent menus. Whiskey drinks get priority on the cocktail menu, and their old fashioned feels fresh and new. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-2154164, reveryrestaurantgroup.com V $$$
Richard’s Brick Oven Pizza
PIZZA When husband-and-wife team Richard Goss and Meg Jones first fired up their restaurant’s massive brick oven in 2009, chain pizza ruled the Central Indiana landscape, either delivered within 30 minutes or served in a cavernous room with a singing, mechanical rodent. Franklin was a risky place to launch their vision of high-quality Neapolitan pizza made with fresh, often local ingredients— but the gamble paid off, and 15 years later, it’s become a destination for diners. Pastas, custom calzoni, and lasagna round out the menu. 229 S. Main St., Franklin, 317-738-3300, richardskitchen.com V $$$
SMALL BITE
Rusted Silo
BARBECUE Nestled between I-74 and the railroad tracks in Lizton, you’ll find this barbecue joint with only six indoor tables and a line out the door. Pitmaster Robert Ecker smokes, cooks, and even bakes some of the best Southern-style pit barbecue, sides, and desserts in Indiana. Grab a beer from one of the floorto-ceiling coolers just inside the door and get ready to make your way down the menu. If you can’t decide between the perfectly seasoned, pink-tinged shredded pork butt or a slice of the fork-tender brisket, go ahead and get both and try them with one (or all) of the four housemade sauces on deck. On the side? The ranch beans are creamy and well-seasoned, and the three-cheese mac is made from scratch. The cheese grits may be the star, though; sourced in Kentucky and ground at Weisenberger Mill, it leaves other restaurants’ grits in the dust. Where other barbecue joints might phone in their desserts with frozen pies and canned fruit, Rusted Silo dishes up homemade bourbon pecan pie, peach cobbler, and a notably rich banana pudding. 411 N. State St., Lizton, 317-994-6145, rustedsilobrewhouse.com $$
St. Elmo Steak House
BR 2024 STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth of celebrity photos, the burnished bar hearkens to an earlier era, and the servers remain starched and bow-tied. The drill remains the same, as well: a generous martini or bottle from its vast and lauded wine list, a shrimp cocktail with that notoriously hot cocktail sauce, the bean soup or tomato juice, the wedge, and one of the well-aged, gorgeously marbled and completely legendary steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com $$$
Sam’s Square Pie
BR 2024 PIZZA Detroit-style pizza obsessive Jeff Miner’s pop-up pie shop now has a permanent home on Indy’s near east side, giving followers and newcomers easy access to his square-cut pizzas. Just don’t expect a long list of available toppings or side options like salads and wings. This spot is a single-minded homage to pan-baked pizzas with a signature crown of well-browned cheese around the edges of the chewy, sturdy crust. Topping combos include the signature El Jefe with two styles of pepperoni, kicky Italian sausage, dollops of ricotta, and a drizzle of spicy honey. Slightly thinner and larger Sicilian pies occasionally appear on the menu, so snag one if you can, especially the sausage-topped High Plains Drifter that garnered second place at Las Vegas’ Pizza Expo. Cheesy garlic bread made with Miner’s pizza dough and garlic knots slathered in butter are also available, but it’s best to save room for the main attraction. Carryout is available, but dining in is always a good time. 2829 E. 10th St., samssquarepie.com V $$$
Shapiro’s Delicatessen
DELI Slide your tray along and take your pick of kosher comfort foods at this family-owned downtown institution. Hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on rye have drawn long lines for more than a century. The Reuben is a contender for the city’s best, and heartier fare such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and matzo ball soup are perennially satisfying standbys. If you don’t load up on a massive slice of cheesecake or pie, you haven’t really had the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$
Shiba Pho
VIETNAMESE Deep bowls of the namesake aromatic noodle soup get top billing at this no-frills Brownsburg spot, which also makes a special vegetarian broth for the plant-based. Starters such as spring rolls and dumplings set the tone, while deep-fried wings (served with three sauces) are standouts even in our chickenrich region. Don’t miss the Chef’s Specials or the sensibly stuffed banh mi sandwiches, served on fresh baguettes. 578 W. Northfield Dr., Brownsburg, 317-286-7018, shibapho.net $$
Siam Square
THAI Soothing red and green curries—redolent of coconut milk, Thai chili paste, and fresh veggies—play strictly by the book. The same goes for the fresh shrimp-and-chicken spring rolls packed inside a filament of rice paper, as well as the refreshing Som Tum salad, which is big enough for two. Made with crisp papaya and peanuts, then funkified with a generous pour of fish sauce, it’s the ideal start to any meal. 936 Virginia Ave., 317-636-8424, siamsquareindy.com V $$
Sidedoor Bagel
LIQUID LUNCH
West Fork Whiskey’s Mash House (10 E. 191st St., Westfield) just dropped a seasonal weekday lunch menu of dishes to be paired with thoughtfully specific whiskey cocktails and straight spirits. Guidance on how to pair a bourbon-laden lunch with your return to work has yet to be provided.
BRUNCH Appropriately dense and chewy with that required crackly sheen, the hand-rolled sourdough rings at Josh and Emily Greeson’s walkup bagel shop are the stars of the show. Flaky salt, everything, sesame, and poppy are all solid standbys. Order yours sliced and schmeared at the counter, then score an outdoor table or head back home (it’s carryout only). Don’t miss the daily sandwiches, which range from the openfaced Lox & Loaded to the Turkey Bacon Club with Fischer Farms turkey and Old Major Market bacon. 1103 E. 10th St., sidedoorbagel.com V $$
Theo’s Italian
ITALIAN Hearty pastas and puffy, pizza-like Romanstyle pinsa flatbreads top the menu at Cunningham Restaurant Group’s Italian spot. Named for restaurateur Mike Cunningham’s grandson, the restaurant incorporates some colorful whimsy into the decor, though the cocktail and wine list (which includes bottles and glasses) are quite adult, as are the sophisticated takes on otherwise homey Italian American fare. 2498 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield, 317-203-9107, theositalian.com $$$
Tinker Street
BR 2024 NEW AMERICAN Diners are in for a delightful treat at this cozy, detailoriented restaurant where the open kitchen almost feels like part of the dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but the soup is always something lush and vegan, the Duck & Dumplings (featuring duck confit and truffled dumplings) sells out fast, and the person who orders the pork chop will be the most envied diner at the table. The cocktails are delicate, the wine list well-curated, and its bar staff ready to offer mocktails. Don’t skip dessert, especially if it involves a scoop of ice cream. While Tinker Street sets aside some tables for walk-in diners, reservations are available online and are a good idea Thursday through Sunday. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, tinkerstreetrestaurant.com V $$$
Vicino
BR 2024 ITALIAN More than filling Mass Ave’s pasta needs, this modern, colorful trattoria from the owners of The Oakmont measures up to some of the best Italian spots anywhere in the city. New seating and light fixtures add a brighter palette to the sleek former Hedge Row location, and a nicely edited menu offers familiar classics with a few twists for the more daring. Pastas are rotating and seasonal, as is a menu of substantial mains. 350 Massachusetts Ave., 317-798-2492, vicinoindy.com V $$
Wisanggeni Pawon
BR 2024 INDONESIAN The talents of chefs Bambang Wisanggeni and Putri Pratiwi make dining at Wisanggeni Pawon a superb experience. That, plus all their wonderful family recipes. The husband-andwife duo presents the complex, spice-forward dishes of their homeland, as well as some hibachi favorites drawn from their experience at nearby Japanese restaurants. Start off by splitting a platter of martabak telor, a hearty beef omelet encased in crispy wonton skin, or share some steamed Indonesian dumplings with a rich peanut sauce. Then try the signature beef rendang, a dish from Western Sumatra featuring tender meat simmered in coconut milk with an aromatic array of spices. Lighter fare includes nicely blackened grilled chicken with rice or stir-fried noodles topped with crunchy crackers and a shower of chopped peanuts. Save room for ube spring rolls or sweet pancakes stuffed with peanuts, gooey cheese, and condensed milk, all sprinkled with chocolate. 2450 E. 71st St., 317-756-9477, wpawon.com V $$
THE “COTTAGE FIREHOUSE” HAS BEEN A WELCOMING SYMBOL OF BROAD RIPPLE FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.
BY CAMILLE GRAVES AND ERIKA KOVACH
SITTING diagonally at the intersection of Guilford Avenue and East Westfield Boulevard bordered by tall trees and cozy greenery, Indianapolis Fire Department Station 32—more commonly known as the Broad Ripple Firehouse—has been an icon of the neighborhood for more than a century. Constructed in 1922 in the Tudor revival style, it’s known for its homey appearance, including a steeply pitched roof, walls made of stucco and yellow brick, dormer windows, and an unusual, double-peaked center gable, that recall an Elizabethan country cottage. Its designer, local architect John P. Parrish, wanted the station to be in harmony with the quaint bungalows populating Broad Ripple at the time. The charming design was also in keeping with several other
fire stations built in similarly residential styles during the era. Despite the structure’s now-unique appearance, it blends seamlessly with its rather eclectic surroundings, which range from Dad’s Kitchen washed in cheerful sherbetorange paint on an adjacent corner, to the rows of early 20thcentury red brick commercial storefronts along Guilford and Westfield, to the famous Rainbow Bridge crossing the canal behind it. The station was built during the period when the town of Broad Ripple was being annexed by Indianapolis and remains the oldest active IFD station in the city. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, it will be decommissioned in favor of a nearby modern firehouse being built later this year, leaving it open for other uses.
