Hamilton County Business Magazine Dec/Jan 2020/21

DECEMBER 2020 • JANUARY 2021

The Coffee Edition Local Brews to Help Us Get Through the COVID Winter

PLUS…

• Mind Your Zoom Backgrounds • Noblesville’s Brehm Brothers • Rose and Lois Cicero’s Dark Side Coffee House co-owner Vanessa Emery

Letter from the Editor December 2020 • January 2021 What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Seems like an apt phrase for these dark days of the pandemic. By most assessments we’re in for a long winter. As we move indoors we are faced with an invisible threat that can be deadly, to both people and businesses. The best we can do is protect ourselves and tough it out. If we do we will emerge stronger and more resilient on the other side.

Coffee Shops

Mike Corbett Editor and Publisher

One of the major casualties of this pandemic is the sense of community fostered by the local coffee shop. As we isolate and social distance, we are discouraged from engaging in the kinds of interactions that help us get through winter. Coffee shop owners don’t like the restrictions any better than their customers. So, knowing that we’re all toughing it out in our own way, we decided to celebrate these community gathering spots, knowing we can’t engage with them as well as we’d like to, and optimistic that they will weather the winter and emerge healthier next Spring.

Virtual Edition We are adjusting here at the magazine as well. As you may know, we are 98% advertising supported. Most people receive this magazine as a benefit of belonging to your local Chamber of Commerce. Its been a mutually beneficial relationship for more than 12 years.

But for the first time since we launched in 2008, our Dec/Jan edition did not have enough advertising to support printing and mailing. Rather than publish at a loss, we decided to make this edition virtual, saving printing and mailing costs, and passing the savings on to our advertisers. So you are reading this edition on your computer and will not receive a printed copy. We appreciate and thank the chambers for helping us distribute virtually by email. It’s that kind of cooperation that will get us through this pandemic successfully.

We expect this virtual edition to be a temporary thing. We launched as a print magazine and we plan to continue to print magazines in the future. But few businesses have been able to escape the effects of the pandemic. Like many of you, we have to be nimble as we navigate these uncertain times. We will tough it out as many of you are doing, and make the right decisions to ensure a bright future.

The virtual edition is giving us some flexibility. Page count is much less of a factor in the digital world, and our designer, Bridget Gurtowsky, suggested we give our Chambers some extra space as we wrap up this challenging year. I like that idea, so the chamber section is a bit larger in this virtual edition.

The Pitch And, as Henry Ford said, nothing happens until someone sells something. So here’s my annual sales pitch. You are reading a magazine that reaches Hamilton County business people. If they are your customers (or should be) you should be marketing your business here. A hearty thank you to our regular advertisers and an invitation to those of you who have yet to see the light. Let’s do business, and make sure we are all alive and stronger post-pandemic.

See you around the county,

Editor and Publisher mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com 317-774-7747

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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December 2020 / January 2021

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Features

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Mike Corbett mcorbett@hamiltoncountybusiness.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Coffee Houses in Hamilton County

12 Dining Out:

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Rose and Lois Coffee Shop

14 Pitch In 16 Chamber Pages

This is a hyperlinked digital magazine.

Please click on bolded names, company names or linked boxes.

CORRESPONDENTS Chris Bavender crbavender@gmail.com

Columns 2

Editors Letter

6

Working from Home Judith Wright

22

History David Heighway

NOTE:

Bridget Gurtowsky bridget@gurtowskygraphics.com

Ann Craig-Cinnamon jandacinnamon@aol.com John Cinnamon jlcinnamon@aol.com Samantha Hyde samantharhyde@gmail.com Patricia Pickett pickettwrites@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS

David Heighway heighwayd@earthlink.net Judith Wright jw3@iupui.edu Please send news items and photos to news@hamiltoncountybusiness.com Submission does not guarantee publication

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Cover photo by Stan Gurka 4

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Working from Home

Judith Wright

Keep it Professional Zoom backgrounds can threaten employee privacy Many of us have been in a work Zoom session when something unexpected appears over a participant’s shoulder. It might be a television image, or a family member strolling through the room or a pet trying to gain their owner’s attention. If the Zoom participant isn’t using a background image, others in the meeting can view everything in the video surroundings. This raises privacy and image concerns for businesses and can result in potential exposure to related liability.

Millions of Homes

But what happens if something appears in the background that no one wants to see? If the Zoom meeting is a work session and employees are on the clock, the employer risks potential liability.

The best place to start is adopting standards for conducting meetings and setting expectations for meeting participants. Employers should consider requiring employees to use virtual backScholarly or Scandalous? grounds in place of actual home setAn easy online search reveals a numtings. The virtual background prevents ber of incidents where employees have meeting participants from seeing what’s mistakenly transmitted images of very going on behind one another, thereby embarrassing things. With family memavoiding accidental exposure to unexbers working and schooling together at pected happenings. The background home, there are videos of parents making eliminates privacy concerns in inada towel-dash from the shower, children vertently revealing personal aspects undressed and darting around and aniof workers’ lives. And the background mals engaged in, well, animal behavior. creates a more level playing field for An employee may think his background employees across the socioeconomic poster is hilarious, but co-workers might spectrum. After all, the meeting is about getting business done, not observing find it genuinely offensive. A tidily arone another’s home environments. ranged bookshelf might look scholarly at first glance, but a scan of titles might Standards for acceptable backgrounds raise eyebrows. are also in order. Allowing employees to

“In the old days,” work meetings were held in conference rooms where furnishings were intentionally staged with participants facing one another. Everyone was on an even playing field, with the same seating, except perhaps for one at the head of a table. The employer controlled the “vibe” of the room—the nature of the lighting, the quality of the AV equipment, the temperature and other The virtual background aspects of the meeting ambiprevents meeting participants ence. Room design was all about promoting good busifrom seeing what’s going on ness interaction and getting things done. behind one another, thereby Earlier this year, the lights in avoiding accidental exposure those conference rooms went out, and businesses quickly to unexpected happenings. shifted to the now familiar online, log in, virtual meeting.

Zoom, the largest video conferZoom recognizes this concern but disencing provider, estimates that people penses with it in its standard terms of log in to Zoom sessions more than 300 service. Users agree that content is their million times each workday. And that responsibility and further acknowledge means participants can potentially view that Zoom is not liable for any content the inside of millions of homes. transmitted or viewed in a Zoom session.

In the age of individuality, many users Wise employers should take reasonable take pride in creating a personal backmeasures to control the work environground in their home with colorful floment and meeting settings, much as if ral arrangements, expressive artwork, the session were being held back in the family photos and all those bookshelves office conference room. Such standards people like to sit near. Others, however, can help avoid exposing employees to take a more casual approach without unwanted images while protecting the regard to whether having one’s laundry privacy of workers. pile in the background is an appropriate reflection of their professionalism.

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Branded Backgrounds

choose any background can lead to the same concerns regarding suitability, appropriateness and taste. Moreover, employees might mistakenly choose a background that is subject to intellectual property protections thereby exposing the company to challenge for using the image in its business. Zoom recently issued terms that instruct copyright and trademark owners in how to report such violations.

Some employers have adopted branded backgrounds using logos and corporate images or familiar settings with company motifs. Employees are permitted to choose from a collection of approved backgrounds, as a permanent choice or selecting a background for each Zoom session. This is perhaps the best middle ground for avoiding potential problems and protecting employee privacy, while allowing workers some leeway in expressing their individuality. HCBM Judith Wright is a clinical assistant professor of business law at Indiana University Kelley School of Business at IUPUI

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Cover Story

Lots of Choices for Coffee Lovers in Hamilton County

By Ann Craig-Cinnamon

e love coffee. And by “we” I mean people all over the world. In fact, coffee is such a beloved beverage that it has many nicknames.

Whether it’s Java, Mud, Dirt, Brew or Rocket Fuel, 64% of Americans partake in a cup of Joe on a regular basis. That translates into 150 million people who consume an average of 9.26 pounds per person per year according to World Atlas statistics. Still, we are slackers on the world coffee stage, ranking 25th. Finland ranks number one with an astounding average of 26.45 pounds per person per year of coffee consumed.

That explains why there are so many coffee shops; because there is such a demand. The common joke for years has been that there is a Starbucks on every corner. With more than 31,000 shops worldwide as of 2019, Starbucks is the big player in the coffee shop industry. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only game in town.

Indie Coffee Roasters

their product, team and care helps them stand apart. The There are lots of unique coffee shops in Hamilton County that product is sourced from farms around the world and each have cut out a share of the market and have done quite well batch is hand roasted and brewed to precise measurements in the shadow of the Starbucks behemoth. and recipes.

Noble Coffee & Tea, located on the historic Noblesville Square, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year. In addition to the retail coffee shop, the business has a wholesale coffee roasting side which was acquired by Robyn and Mark Littler in 2013. The couple then purchased the coffee shop four years later.

Aside from product she says the team is one of a kind. “We are passionate about sourcing, roasting, and brewing the best coffee possible and welcoming our guests into that same passion. We work hard to ensure every customer feels welcome, known, and loved every time they stop by.”

Indie Coffee Roasters has expanded into the Fishers, Carmel, and Zionsville Farmers Markets, as well as wholesaling throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

Robyn says they don’t focus on the competition but strive to provide the best products and customer service that they can. There are several things that make their shop stand out including that they roast their Robyn and Mark Littler own coffee. “All of the coffees brewed and served in our cafe have just been roasted within a few days, resulting in the freshest, best-tasting flavor.

Further, we also have over four dozen different types of retail The Well Coffeehouse coffee available for purchase, including many single origins, blends, flavored coffees, as well as water process decaf and decaf flavored coffees,” she says adding they also offer tea and The Well Coffeehouse fun seasonal drinks.

The Well Coffeehouse opened in Fishers’ Nickel Plate District four years ago and has a different business model. Part Indie Coffee Roasters of a chain that started in Nashville, Tennessee 8 years ago, it Indie Coffee Roasters began by roasting coffee on a Whirly is a missional coffeehouse with 100% of profits allocated to digging clean water wells in third world countries.

Pop popcorn machine in 2013 before transforming a quaint house on Main Street in Carmel into a retail shop in 2018.

Fishers store manager Calvin Hanson doesn’t compare The Co-Owner Jenny Tod feels they attract a different breed of Well to the big chain stores but, rather to other, so called, customer than the big name shops. third wave shops. “Starbucks focuses on speed and consisten“For us, it has always been about creating an environment that individuals can come, feel welcomed, and build relationships over an incredible coffee product,” says Tod adding that

cy. They want to get as many people through their line as fast as possible. Third wave coffee shops like The Well focus more on the science and art of coffee. We want to serve the best cup

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Photo By Stan Gurka

Noble Coffee & Tea

Photo By Stan Gurka

Geist Coffee Company

Cicero Coffee

of coffee each time and we want to connect with and teach our customers to appreciate coffee more,” he says.

Soho Café and Gallery Vivian Lawhead, with the help of her sons, opened SoHo Café and Gallery on Range Line Road in Carmel in 2010 after inheriting the 40 year old shopping center it is housed in and wanting to be at the forefront of reinventing the center.

Her other motivation was that she found Carmel to be lacking in independent coffee houses like the ones you would find in bigger cities.

There has been a coffee shop at the site of Geist Coffee Co. on Brooks School Road in Fishers for 23 years. In recent years it has changed hands several times but now seems to have hit its stride with owner Jeremy Balch and his family who took over in 2018 with a goal of being involved with the local community.

Balch says he feels they are competing well now with the Owner Jeremy Balch with likes of Starbucks. “Our business family members Anabelle, has been growing steadily as Tristan and Josh more people look to support local business,” he says adding that they have a very different business model from national chains. “While we are encircled by them, the community comes to us for high-quality espresso drinks, coffee, handmade food, pastries and personal relationships. Our coffee is roasted in Indiana each week and sourced through direct relationships with farmers around the world.

This benefits the farmer through premium pricing and helps better their lives through our roaster’s “cocaine to coffee” initiative in Columbia, and their support of women-owned farms in Guatemala.”

Navigating the Pandemic All of the shops have been impacted by COVID-19. Noble Coffee & Tea remained open throughout but offered curbside only for a time. Indie Coffee Roasters closed for three months,

Lawhead thinks that small, independent coffee houses should never consider Starbucks and other big chains as competition. She feels that there is a place and a customer for both. “The small, independent coffee houses draw more coffee connoisseurs, but also the coffee consumers wanting to branch out and try new things,” she says adding that the chains have a set menu and only change when the corporation tells them to. “We offer organic, single origin coffee from award winning roasters and we have a broad choice in those. We can arrange our space any way we’d like, change seasonal drinks monthly, but more than anything, raise the bar in the quality of products we carry. In addition to the actual products, customers like the ambience of a small coffee house—comfortable seating, warm atmosphere, and always a welcoming attitude,” she says.

Geist Coffee Company

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Photo By Stan Gurka

Dark Side Coffee Roasters

offering products for sale online and delivering only. Since reopening its doors, business is back on track according to Tod. Hanson says the Well was closed for five weeks and business is still “different” with much less seating and many regulars not yet returning. He estimates sales are down about 25%.

Soho shut down for two months and has reopened with an adjusted schedule. Lawhead says business is down at least 20% from 2019, but they are encouraged by more old customers returning daily and many new customers seeking out small local business.

And the Geist Coffee Company is growing and thriving according to Balch who says they transitioned quickly to a drive-thru only model and then reopened patio and indoor seating at lower capacity. He says business is now ahead of last year although he is wary of how winter will affect them.

Balch calls it an honor to be part of the local community and to be the gathering spot in the Geist area.

“Great coffee, food and friendly faces make a wonderful difference every day and especially in difficult times that we are all experiencing. Local coffee shops across Hamilton County do a great job to provide this and hope that you will stop in to support them and taste the difference.” HCBM

Other independent coffee shops in Hamilton County include: Cicero Coffee Company 150 S. Peru St. Cicero Dark Side Coffee Roasters 110 W. Jackson St. Cicero Java House Coffee Bar 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., #160 Clay Terrace 145 Elm St., #100, Midtown Carmel Remnant Coffee Shop 101 W. Main St. Arcadia Rose and Lois (see story next page) 7249 E. 146th St., Ste 110 Carmel Schoolhouse 7 Café 12125 Cyntheanne Rd. Fishers Wheeler’s Café and Market 25625 State Road 37 North Noblesville

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Dining Out

Mobile coffee bar launched brick and mortar just as lockdown started

By Chris Bavender here is just something about that first sip of coffee in the morning, a warm mug cradled in your hands as the aroma wafts up to tease your nose.

Heaven in a cup.

While for some coffee is a habit, for others it’s about surviving the day, fueled by caffeine.

For Rachel Priddy, a self-proclaimed “coffee lover by passion,” it’s about so much more.

“I just think there is something so cozy about connecting with someone over a hot drink,” said Priddy. “It’s something that is about community for so many people. I always enjoyed working from a coffee shop—to be around the buzz of people and feel connected, even if you’re not talking to someone.”

Priddy should know—she opened her coffee shop, Rose & Lois, last March— just as the pandemic hit.

“I’d just received the final permit to open the doors and had literally just hit send on an email to my baristas about opening plans when I got a call that the Governor had announced a shut down effective the next day,” Priddy said.

About the Name Priddy didn’t let the news stop her though. On March 19 she opened Rose & Lois’ drive thru, and became part of the City of Carmel’s sponsorship to deliver meals to front line workers at hospitals.

“We’d already built a menu with soups and salads and sandwiches and we wanted to stay open as safely as pos12

sible to serve our community,” she said.

“At one point we were even offering a free roll of toilet paper with every order of cold brew.”

Rose & Lois also started delivery service to a three and a half mile radius around the shop, located in the plaza at 146th Street and Community Drive in Carmel.

“I thought parents working from home with kids probably couldn’t get out for coffee,” she said. “So, for about 6 months we offered delivery. We kept it all in house to have the most control over it— wearing gloves, putting a stopper in drinks and sanitizing. I also wanted to keep the baristas staffed as much as possible.”

Rose & Lois is named for Priddy’s two daughters, Amberlee Rose, 4, and Anna Lois, 2. The girls are named after their great-grandmothers, so the cafe’s name has a lot of significance.

ket with a mobile coffee bar. As demand grew, so did client requests for a brick and mortar site where they could satisfy their cravings for Rose & Lois’ locally sourced coffee any time they wanted.

“I founded the business as a coffee shop but it took so long to finalize the lease on the brick and mortar so I sort of fell into the food truck business, but I’m so glad I did because that was the only thing that kept us in business,” she said.

“It’s kind of unique and not many do it well. I think there’s definitely a niche market out there to bring mobile coffee shops to people.”

People who now also have the option to pop into the cafe—a bright, cheery space with plenty of windows to let the light stream in.

“I am passionate about making memories with them,” she said. “The 4-year-old got up at 6 a.m. and set up the espresso cart with me in the early days.”

Igloos It was December 2018 when Rose & Lois first started serving customers at Hamilton Town Center and the Noblesville Farmer’s MarDecember 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

WHAT IF LEADS

“I think the vibe of the 90’s were for (coffee) shops to be really dark so I wanted a lot of color and light and for it to be approachable for families—we have a Lego wall for the kids, as well as a meeting room,” Priddy said.

“There’s a patio out back which cast the deciding vote, along with the drive thru. I hope to get igloos for the patio this winter and keep the Rachel Priddy community engagement we had planned pre-COVID. As for what the future might hold, Priddy said opening a second Rose & Lois location is definitely a topic of discussion.

“I don’t think it will be anytime in the next year,” she said. “But, beyond that, I definitely would not be surprised if we go that route.”

And, for those contemplating opening a business, Priddy would encourage them to find a mentor, do their homework, and hire a professional to do things such as negotiate the lease.

“But, don’t give up on a dream,” she said.

“If it’s your passion, go for it.” HCBM

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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Pitch In Notes from all over the county

Sam Hughes

Justin M. Hays

Shyann R. Boyer

Weston E. Nicholson

Four attorneys joined Church Church Hittle + Antrim: Sam Hughes in their Insurance Defense and Litigation law groups. Justin M. Hays will join the Business Services and Real Estate practice groups. Shyann R. Boyer will be part of the Education Law practice group, and Weston E. Nicholson will focus his work in the Litigation practice group.

Karen Gregerson

Andy Pinegar

Karen Gregerson, president and CEO of The Farmers Bank, was named Indiana Bankers Association Woman of the Year.

Keith Menner

State Bank, formerly State Bank of Lizton, plans to open its first Hamilton County location this Spring in Carmel in the vacant bank building at the corner of 126th Street and Gray Road. It will be the 10th branch office for State Bank, which is based in Brownsburg and whose other locations are in Boone and Hendricks counties. State Bank provided acquisition and redevelopment financing in support of the revitalization of the entire retail center adjacent to the location, known as Brookshire Village Shoppes. Andy Pinegar, a senior commercial lender at State Bank, is the Carmel/Hamilton County Market President.

Jennifer Pickett, Arcadia ClerkTreasurer, accepted a $10,000 grant check from Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager.

The grant will help pay for the creation of a pocket park in downtown Arcadia. The Hamilton Heights student mural will serve as its backdrop and the park will be the home for the future splash pad and other amenities.

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Keith Menner is the new SBA Lending Manager at Community First Bank.

Three historic bridges that were renovated and moved to Strawtown Koteewi Park in 2016 were named for Al Patterson, who retired as Hamilton County Parks Director this year. The fifteen-year effort to move and install the bridges was a major accomplishment of Patterson’s 28-year tenure as director.

The bridges span the White River and connect Strawtown Koteewi Park to the White River Campground.

First Farmers Bank & Trust is opening a branch in Cicero at 1100 S. Peru Street in the former First Merchants building. It will be the only Indianabased bank in Cicero.

Westfield opened a new road and bridge that run .65 miles between 169th Street and Park Street. What was previously known as Poplar Street from State Road 32 to Park Street was renamed Westfield Boulevard. The new Westfield Boulevard and Park Street is now a four-way stop intersection and the roundabout at Westfield Boulevard and State Road 32 now has a second through lane heading southbound.

A new trail connection was also added along 169th Street and north along Westfield Boulevard to give pedestrians direct access to Grand Junction Plaza December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

and Park Street, as well as extensions to the Midland Trail from Mill Street to Westfield Boulevard and the MononMidland Loop along David Brown Drive from Union Street to US 31.

The construction was a Federal Exchange project with the city paying 10% of construction costs and the state covering the remaining 90%. Future plans call for the road to extend further south and connect with Westfield Boulevard at 161st Street. HCBM

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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An Open Letter to Our Business Community A Message from Bob DuBois, President/CEO Noblesville Chamber of Commerce As 2020 draws to a close, and for all of us it just can’t come quick enough, we can look back at what the year has taught us about ourselves, our businesses, and our community. It would be easy to focus on the negativity and division that the stress of a pandemic, racial strife, and a raucous election cycle brought us. Though it may require a deeper examination to discover, 2020 has been remarkable in so many ways. The American spirit shined through a very clouded atmosphere. We choose to focus on the latter, more positive, aspects of this unusual year.

The spirit of resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship has been on display all year. Beginning with businesses both large and small sending their employees home in the spring to work remotely. They, near instantaneously, found new ways to collaborate, communicate, and create.

Many businesses are now examining how to, more formally, embrace work from home to allow greater flexibility for their employees while still advancing their company goals. This adaptation from a rushed to remote working to a more strategic approach, may ultimately aid the pre-pandemic challenge of meeting our workforce needs in central Indiana.

Ingenuity was evident with businesses like Noble Coffee & Tea putting the owner’s engineering background to work to develop a coffee serving device that promoted contactless curbside pickup. Our friends at Moonshot Games, who under normal conditions exude the entrepreneurial spirit, began games-to-your-home delivery service and even expanded operations on the downtown square by opening a quality toy store in the newly renovated Gordon Building. There are dozens more stories just like these of small business owners finding a way to keep their dreams alive. They have amazed us with their attitudes and actions.

The spirit of community Folks like Helmer Scientific have been in overdrive.

Rapidly growing demand for their high-end medical refrigeration is generating the need to recruit and onboard new employees using new online platforms.

While tending to the important daily business at Helmer, they also remain committed to the community. They have shared their leadership with the Hamilton County Workforce Recovery Task Force aimed at getting our friends and neighbors, recently unemployed, back to work. Helmer has also played a significant role with the Chamber’s Equity and Advancement Team (NEAT).

This team serves to act as a catalyst for awareness, understanding of the power and benefit of inclusion.

NEAT’s work surrounds efforts to strengthen Noblesville as an inclusive multicultural community through education, resources, and empowerment for employers and their employees.

The spirit of family As our collective workforce went home in the spring so too did our students. This new family togetherness time forced us all to look for balance. It was great to see hundreds of families, safely and socially distanced, gather for the Friday night pop-up drive in movies courtesy of

16

our friends at Logan Street Signs and Banners. We saw families take more walks together and sit in their yards together to simply talk. As we spent more time together at home, many of us found new added respect for each other’s workload, whether that be for an employer, for school, or for household management. Parents, while finding ways to work from home, also found themselves playing a stronger role in their children’s learning courtesy of online and remote classes. We are hopeful this expanded parent engagement lives on post-pandemic.

The spirit of learning We frequently heard, and continue to hear, growing appreciation for the amazing work of our Noblesville teachers and the Noblesville School’s leadership.

Constant change has become the norm during this pandemic, but our schools have found a way, at every twist and turn of this pandemic, to keep our students wellbeing and learning top of mind. And if that in itself is not remarkable to you, think about the scale of their operation. With roughly 10,000 students, 1500 employees, a few million square feet of buildings, and a largescale public transportation system, the impressive logistics and planning skills of our school system have truly shined under Superintendent Dr Niedermeyer.

The spirit of leadership Both our City and County elected leadership did not wait for federal assistance to jump in to aid our small businesses in surviving the spring shutdown. Mayor Jensen sat with business leaders early in the pandemic to determine a plan of support that resulted in $250,000 in business reliance grants for 47 businesses. This was a necessary lifeline to many of these small business owners.

Flexibility on parking regulations, outdoor seating, and signage all proved helpful too. The Hamilton County Stabilization Grants also provided up to $10,000 each to over 100 businesses, several right here in Noblesville.

2021 is sure to shine brighter. As a matter fact, it already is here in Noblesville.

Over the last several months, we have seen more than a dozen new retailers and restaurants choose to call Noblesville home. We invite you to explore and experience these new businesses as well support our long-established small businesses. To make it easy for you to shop local, we have launched the www.lovenoblesville.com. online marketplace and the Love Noblesville Gift Card at www.

NoblesvilleGiftcard.com. We see both initiatives as the chance for neighbors to support neighbors.

Onward, we go together!

Bob DuBois President/CEO Noblesville Chamber of Commerce www.noblesvillechamber.com 317-773-0086 bob@noblesvillechamber.com

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

THANK THANK THANK THANK YOU YOU YOU YOU TO TO TO TO OUR OUR OUR OUR LEGACY SPONSORS: LEGACY LEGACY LEGACY SPONSORS: SPONSORS: SPONSORS:

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RIBBON RIBBON RIBBON RIBBON CUTTINGS CUTTINGS CUTTINGS CUTTINGS

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Noblesville Ace Hardware Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville Ace Ace Ace Ace Hardware Hardware Hardware Hardware

Livery Noblesville Livery Livery Livery Livery Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville

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ItIt is It It is neighbors isis neighbors neighbors neighbors supporting supporting supporting supporting neighbors. neighbors. neighbors. neighbors.

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C&C C&C C&C C&C Cleaning Cleaning Cleaning Cleaning Services Services Services Services 15381 15381 15381 15381 Stony Stony Stony Stony Creek Creek Creek Creek Way Way Way Way Noblesville, Noblesville, Noblesville, Noblesville, ININ IN 46060 IN 46060 46060 46060 (317) (317) (317) (317) 385-8336 385-8336 385-8336 385-8336 cccleanindiana.com cccleanindiana.com cccleanindiana.com cccleanindiana.com

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Clark Clark Clark Clark Dietz, Dietz, Dietz, Dietz, Inc. Inc. Inc. Inc. 8900 8900 8900 8900 Keystone Keystone Keystone Keystone Crossing Crossing Crossing Crossing Suite Suite Suite Suite 475 475 475 475 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, ININ 46240 IN 46240 46240 (317) (317) (317) (317) 844-8900 844-8900 844-8900 844-8900 clarkdietz.com clarkdietz.com clarkdietz.com clarkdietz.com

Vector Vector Vector Vector Sign Sign Sign Sign Solutions Solutions Solutions Solutions 1385 1385 1385 1385 S.S. 10th S. S. 10th 10th 10th Street Street Street Street Noblesville, Noblesville, Noblesville, Noblesville, ININ IN 46060 IN 46060 46060 46060 (317) 703-3340 (317) (317) (317) 703-3340 703-3340 703-3340 vectorsignsolutions.com vectorsignsolutions.com vectorsignsolutions.com vectorsignsolutions.com

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Noblesville Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2015 Noblesville, IN 46061 (317) 773-0086 noblesvillechamber.com Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville Noblesville Chamber Chamber Chamber Chamber ofof Commerce of of Commerce Commerce Commerce | |P.O. |||P.O. P.O. P.O. Box Box Box Box 2015 2015 2015 2015 | |Noblesville, |||Noblesville, Noblesville, Noblesville, ININ IN 46061 IN 46061 46061 46061 | |(317) |||(317) (317) (317) 773-0086 773-0086 773-0086 773-0086 | |noblesvillechamber.com |||noblesvillechamber.com noblesvillechamber.com noblesvillechamber.com

A Message from Liz Foley-Nelson President, Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce

As 2020 draws to a close, we expect the effects of the pandemic to follow us well into the new year.

The toll of this global pandemic remains at the forefront of our minds, heavy on our hearts, and recovering our economy a shared focus.

The challenges of COVID-19 have affected businesses, communities, and livelihoods world-wide, and we continue to feel its stinging impact right here at home. Yet we remain resilient and see reasons every single day to be hopeful as we look to the future and our collective recovery. In fact, our new strategic plan reflects this optimism and solid blueprint moving forward into 2021.

Over the past several years, Northern Hamilton County has experienced a time of incredible transformation, including a renewed sense of community, alliance, pride, and investment. While the pandemic may have seemed to change everything, it did not stifle our tireless efforts to provide a sustainable business community and foster growth and positive change. The Chamber, community groups, town government, and not-for-profits have strengthened their partnerships to reimagine a better place to work, live, and play. This unified effort has brought a renewed sense of community, vibrancy, art, new public spaces, and businesses to our area. This incredible effort, strong spirit, and ability to push forward is one that not even a global health pandemic can crush.

Our business community has leaned into what has come their way through innovation and unparalleled drive to meet the moment. We have seen existing businesses shift and expand to not only survive but thrive over the past 10 months. Dean’s Auto Parts, McCormack Printing Impressions, Dark Side Coffee House, Nolan James, DeLullo’s, 10West, The Boathouse, The Sheridan Public Library, Mercantile 37, The Remnant, Blackhawk Winery, Creekside Chiropractic, and Without Borders Boutique are among the many who have heralded a strikingly positive stance throughout the pandemic. Even the tone, messaging, and imagery on Facebook, Instagram, and local online communities are positive, supportive, and thankful overall.

To our businesses, thank you for your support, which you so graciously offer year-round and who help make it possible for the Chamber to be a strong, unified voice at work on your behalf every single day. We salute you and value your undaunted commitment in making Northern Hamilton County a desired place to work and call home.

To businesses seeking a new market to expand, we say join us as we help you make Northern Hamilton County your home! To our visitors, you are always welcome and know you can find incredible amenities, indoors or outdoors, in Northern Hamilton County. We invite you to put Northern Hamilton County on the top of the list as you help aid in our recovery and a robust return to a pre-COVID world filled with travel, adventure, and discovery.

Thank you all for being an essential ingredient to our success. Together we can build a stronger, better future.

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

NORTHERN HAMILTON COUNTY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Communities Working Together

SERVING NORTHERN HAMILTON COUNTY

ARCADIA • AROMA • ATLANTA • BAKERS CORNER • BOXLEY • CICERO • DEMING • MILLERSBURG • OMEGA • SHERIDAN • STRAWTOWN • WALNUT GROVE Working together to create a strong local economy by promoting business through marketing, networking and educational opportunities.

Investing in Your Chamber…

By Liz Foley Nelson, President Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce …is an investment in your business. The Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce recognizes and understands the challenges facing our members and even more so during this past year as a health crisis upended life as we knew it.

We know well the impact these uncertain economic times have had on our members.

We remain undaunted in our mission and continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our members and communities we serve. We are committed to helping navigate this shared journey in the year ahead while being fiscally responsible and creative in our support and services. Through these unprecedented times, our number one priority remains serving as the voice of those who call Northern Hamilton County home.

As we ready for a new year, we respectfully ask for your continued support by renewing your membership and being involved in any way possible. The strength of our organization is fueled by the involvement and support of our members. Your investment, commitment, and partnership help make many things possible in keeping our local economy and businesses viable and strong.

Dark Side Coffee House owners Matt and Vanessa Emery, along with sons, Andyn and Adlyr, hosted a grand opening at their new storefront at 110 W. Jackson Street, Cicero in November. They offer a quaint, cozy environment featuring fresh brewed cups of their famous Dark Side Roasters brand coffee. Check out their specialty collection and accessories onsite or online @ www.darksideroasters.com Dean’s Auto Parts new store is open at 1110 S. Peru Street, Cicero. Check out its vast array of seemingly limitless new and remanufactured automotive parts, maintenance items, accessories, tools, and much more! Follow on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/deansautopartsllc The latest addition to Strawtown Koteewi Park, Koteewi Lake, is open. The 20-acre recreational lake features a boat ramp (for paddle craft, sailing, and boats with trolling motors), adjacent dock, nearby shelter and scenic vistas. Read more about all this new amenity at the county’s largest park @ https://hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1336/Koteewi-Lake

Congratulations!

Mercantile 37 reached its two-year anniversary in September. Locally owned and operated, this specialty retailer has propelled itself into a popular northern Hamilton County destination that delights with every visit. Check it out at: www.mercantile37.com

Number 43 for First Farmers Bank & Trust First Farmers Bank & Trust will be opening its 43rd branch location at 1100 S. Peru Street, Cicero, Indiana by the end of the year.

Ribbon Cuttings

A recent ribbon cutting celebration signified the official welcome for Nolan James, one of Cicero’s newest retailers. Nolan James, a beautiful and elegant boutique, offers timely, classy, and unique items where everyone can find a treasure for themselves or someone else.

Check it out at: https://nolanjames.net

New! The Town of Arcadia officially unveiled its new community mural designed and hand painted by Hamilton Heights High School art students in October. The brightly colored, welcoming mural shares a visual story of the community. Located on the west side of a two-story downtown brick building, it will serve as the backdrop to the new community splash pad coming in 2021. Funding for the project was made possible through a $5,000 QuIP grant. Special thanks to Taylor Myers, Koda Witsken, Hamilton Heights students, Nickel Plate Arts, and Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs.

— ADVOCATE MEMBERS —

70 Byron Street, Cicero, IN 46034 • (317) 984-4079 • www.northernhamiltoncountychamber.com

Word Search Leadership Edition Leadership Edition

Once you have found all of found our Leadership make sure tomake call us at (317) 436-4653 email Once you have all of ourPartners Leadership Partners to call us at or Once you have found all of our Leadership Partners make sure to call ussure at (317) 436-4653 or email 436-4653 or email info@onezonecommerce.com for an (317) opportunity to win a $25 gift card to one of our members! info@onezonecommerce.com for an opportunity to win a $25 gift card to one of our members! info@onezonecommerce.com for an opportunity to win a $25 gift card to one of our members!

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

Welcome All of Our New Members!

Click on the New Member Company Names Below and Visit their OneZone Member Directory Contact Information Adrenaline Family Adventure Park Bankable Borshoff Consulting LLC BraunAbility CardX Caring Transitions Indy North CME Lending Crescendo Payments Group/ International Bancard Damar Foundation Didgebridge Decker’s Digits Bookkeeping & Tax Prep Drew Federau State Farm EsourceResources

Fall Creek Dentistry Flagship Enterprise Center The Gideon Group Gratitude Boutique Groups Recover Together IBM Indianapolis Yacht Club Ion Three Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria mAccounting Mustard Seed of Central Indiana Optimize Selling Solutions RE/MAX Ability Plus - Shell Barger Roche Diagnostics

Say it for You Shell Barger - RE/MAX Ability Sherwin Williams - Carmel North Sherwin Williams - Fishers Side Hustle University Skulski Consulting LLC Supreme Staffing Solutions LLC Taro Engineering LLC The LadyBug Pest & Wildlife Control United Real Estate VER at Proscenium Wright & Associates P.C.

Click Here Now and Visit the OneZone Member Directory

Upcoming Events DECEMBER

Business Cards Over Breakfast Tuesday, December 8th 8am – 9am Virtual Event Legislative Breakfast Friday, December 11th 8am – 9am Virtual Event

JANUARY

January Lunch Break Annual Business Excellence Awards Wednesday, January 13th 11:30am – 1pm Ritz Charles

Click Here Now and Visit the OneZone Events Calendar

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

21

Winter in Westfield By: Steve Latour, Executive Director, Westfield Chamber

All business leaders have a plan A, usually a plan B, and once in a while have a plan C floating around in their heads. Nine months into the pandemic and I think it is safe to say that most are on plan T, U, or even V by now. There are even a few folks out there on plan AA. Flexibility has been the main driver throughout 2020, and even with all that flexibility, we have still lost some great business this year.

With a horizon now coming into view and the hope that a vaccine will soon be in our reach, we are hopeful that 2021 will allow us to get back to a new normal. I do not think we are ever going back to the way things were pre-pandemic, but I do think that we can emerge from this collective experience stronger for it.

Nearly everyone agrees that we still have a long, cold winter to get through before we may see things begin to rebound. So in early November, a group of business leaders and city officials got together to discuss the upcoming winter season and how we could help our restaurants, bars, and leisure business come through the winter season with as little loss as possible. The group came up with ‘Winter in Westfield.’

The idea is pretty simple; let’s reeducate Westfield residents and the surrounding community on where to eat, drink, and relax in town. Show folks where to park, and let’s try to drive business to these locations on days that may be a little slower than the weekend. We encourage all of these establishments to have ‘Westfield Wednesdays’—a special or discount for that day of the week to encourage folks to come to your business on a day that might otherwise be a little slower. We will also team up with Hamilton County Tourism to promote the Great Dine Out in January. The hub for this information will be on the Westfield Welcome website (westfieldwelcome.com).

This winter I am asking all residents and businesses to frequent local establishments for lunch, the afternoon coffee, or dinner. Think local the next time you need something for your home. Save time, save gas, and help keep the local economy going. If we can shift our thinking and ask our co-workers and neighbors to do the same, we will have taken a big positive step forward. If we all pitch in, we can ensure the Westfield community gets through the winter together.

I would love to hear your ideas or to learn how to get involved in one of the Chamber’s Action Councils; please email slatour@westfield-chamber.org.

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

2020/2021 UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS

December 8 Coffee with the Chamber 8:00-9:00am TBD December 17 Luncheon 11:00-1:00pm The Bridgewater Club

JANUARY 2021 EVENTS

January 12 Coffee with the Chamber 8:00-9:00am TBD

For details and online registration, please click and visit: www.westfield-chamber.org or call 317.804.3030

Lionfish Cyber Security 3815 River Crossing Pkwy.

Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46240

PNC Bank 3267 State Rd. 32 E. Westfield, IN 46074 Renaissance Indianapolis

Progress Studio 5915 North College Ave. Suite 213 Indianapolis, IN 46220

North Hotel 11925 N. Meridian St. Carmel, IN 46032

Tina Mangos Arts 989 N. East St. Westfield, IN 46074

The Kelich Group 14939 Ditch Rd. Westfield, IN 46074

Ups and Downs Coaching 2772 East 186th St. Westfield, IN 46074

Union Jack Pub Westfield 110 S. Union St. Westfield, IN 46074

Healthy Happies Westfield 17431 Carey Rd. Westfield, IN 46074

Proxurve Solutions, Inc. 8755 Guion Rd., Suite G Indianapolis, IN 46268

WESTFIELD

DECEMBER 2020 EVENTS

December 3 Westfield Young Professionals 5:30-7:30pm Grindstone on the Monon

www.westfield-chamber.org

NEW MEMBERS

To visit the company’s website, please click on the bolded company name. All images on this page have hyperlinks.

Follow Us:

Westfield Chamber of Commerce 116 E. Main St. Westfield, IN 46074 317.804.3030

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

23

Hamilton County History

arlier this year, the Hamilton East Public Library created an online tour of notable Hamilton County illustrators. That tour can be found at https://publichistory.iupui.edu/ items/show/471. With the Christmas holidays approaching, I thought I might look at some seasonal illustrations produced by a couple of the artists who came from Noblesville.

Noblesville Childhood The period between the 1890’s and the 1920’s is known in the art world as the Golden Age of American Illustration, and two Noblesville brothers were important contributors to this movement.

George Brehm (1878-1966) and Worth Brehm (1883-1928) grew up in Noblesville, graduated from Noblesville High

David Heighway

School, and then left Indiana to establish careers as nationally famous artists. The Brehms created iconic images for classic novels and the covers of national magazines by drawing upon their memories of their Noblesville childhood.

George moved to New York in 1905 and became a regular contributor to several magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post, American Magazine, Colliers, Ladies Home Journal, and others. He did illustrations for authors like James Whitcomb Riley, Booth Tarkington, Edgar Rice Burroughs, William Faulkner, and many other lesser known writers. His friends and colleagues were people like Frederic Remington, Thomas Hart Benton, and Norman Rockwell. He and his wife and their two children lived in New York and had a summer home in Martha’s Vineyard.

Worth followed his brother to New York and became known for his illustrations of children. His first success was a series of drawings published in Outing Magazine in 1907-1909. The series was called “When I Was a Boy” and was

The Brehms created iconic images for classic novels and covers of national magazines by drawing upon their memories of their Noblesville childhood.

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December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

based on his memories of growing up in Noblesville. He followed this up with the illustrations for a 1910 edition of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, a 1912 edition of Huckleberry Finn, original illustrations for Booth Tarkington’s Penrod stories, and a frontispiece for an edition of Toby Tyler, as well as many other illustrations for stories about young people. At the urging of his friend Johnny Gruelle, (the creator of Raggedy Ann), he joined the Silvermine art colony in Connecticut in 1912.

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Magazine Covers The images shown here are from popular magazines published during the holidays. Worth did two of them—the Edison Mazda advertisement and the drawing of the people decorating the tree. The drawing is from a 1917 story called Junior Brewster, Holly Wreath Boy which appeared in Women’s Home Companion. The Edison advertisement first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1922 and is very much in keeping with Worth’s reputation for drawing children.

Three of the images—Harper’s, Women’s World, and Technical World—are magazine covers created by George.

His first magazine cover for the Saturday Evening Post was published in December 1908 and showed a woman ice skating. The two images of women shown here are typical of George’s work. The Harper’s image is from 1908 and the Woman’s World image is from 1914. However, the one that attracts the most comment is the cover of the January 1913 Technical World magazine.

People assume it is some sort of bizarre statement about the holiday and wonder why Santa Claus has a rifle. Actually, that is a painting of a soldier in the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars. The phrase “Peace on earth” was a commentary about the brutality of the fighting.

The Brehm brothers did other holiday illustrations during their careers.

Between 1945 and 1960, George did an illustration to accompany each year’s New York Times 100 Neediest Cases campaign. These special illustrations were part of a large body of work that the two brothers left to be studied and enjoyed. HCBM David Heighway is the Hamilton County historian.

December 2020 • January 2021 • Hamilton County Business Magazine

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