Page 11 - March 14 issue

entertainment 11 THE SPOTLIGHT | BDSPOTLIGHT.COM | MARCH 14, 2014 KEEP INDY INDIE BY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES ON SATURDAY, MARCH 29 IN HONOR OF NATIONAL MOM AND POP BUSINESS DAY By Ashley Shuler editor-in-chief A business with a passion for creation and details Your sweet tooth can do good Women’s fashion in the heart of Indianapolis @truenjaimes House of 5th @lizrussell The Flying Cupcake Bakery Lucky B Boutique 2807 East 10th Street 423 Massachusetts Ave 912 E Westfeld Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46201 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46220 houseof5th.com www.thefyingcupcakebakery.com www.luckybboutique.com House of 5th was established in Indianap- Kate Bova Drury, owner of The Flying Opening its doors in 2011, Lucky B Bou- olis by three best friends— Truen Jaimes, Au- Cupcake Bakery, began her business in India- @shop_luckyb tique was begun by Brandi Johnson. Johnson drey Hopper and Aron Christian. Compared to when it originally napolis after living here. She sparked the idea when she visited feels the atmosphere between business owners is collaborative: opened, House of 5th has seen tremendous growth in its area of Magnolia’s Bakery in New York City and wanted to bring the “Indianapolis has all the benefts of a big city with a small town expertise: “Indy has seen a really great growth spurt in the local same idea to Indianapolis, since there was nothing like it in the feel. [...] A lot of steps are being taken by those in Indianapolis fashion industry as a whole. There are more people being per- city. When she frst began, people were confused on the concept: to grow the city culturally and to increase awareness and support ceptive of fashion in Indianapolis, and more people in the media “People came in and said ‘You just sell cupcakes?’” for local small businesses.” are giving it face time.” As time went on, more people started to support it because Lucky B Boutique offers as much support as it can to new Besides the blooming of Indiana in the fashion world, Jai- they were excited to see something that only existed in big cities. businesses in the area under the belief that working together mes attributes their success to the fact that Indianapolis is an Drury attributes her successful to the embracing nature of the builds a strong community and strong clientele. emerging world-class city that is able to showcase itself as out- city; Indianapolis readily welcomes food, restaurants and baker- Noting that Indianapolis needs to continue to support lo- of-the-ordinary. All of the artisan leather goods the trio creates ies. cal infrastructure, Johnson believes the 3/50 Project is a good are made in-house with an emphasis on bold energy, clean de- incentive to shop locally: “One of their stats shows that if you tails and urban edge, as well as a philosophy that shopping local Fashion-forward women’s clothing, only in Indy spend $100 at a local small business, $68 of that stays in the is unique and and keeps money in the city. community through payroll, taxes and other expenditures, while Niche Boutique only $43 stays at a chain store.” Supporting the local economy and a healthy lifestyle 916 Broad Ripple Ave A gift store for everyone who isn’t everyone Indianapolis, IN 46620 @shawn182 Bicycle Garage Indy www.shopnicheboutique.com Silver in the City 242 East Market St, Suite 101 434 Massachusetts Avenue Niche began when Erica Lundeen, the Indianapolis, IN 46204 @shopniche original owner, opened the boutique after she Indianapolis, IN 46204 www.bgindy.com had worked in various high end boutiques. She had the desire to www.silverinthecity.com Randall G. Clark, founder of BGI, was share the knowledge she had gained with her hometown of Indi- Silver in the City opened on Mass Ave in born and raised in Indiana and always anapolis. Lanie Lopez and her business partner, Brenda Schultz, @mandypacknett 2000 after owner, Kristin Kohn, put her busi- wanted to own his own business. Clark believes BGI has taken purchased Niche from Erica this past November. ness plan into action after dreaming of opening up her own shop. off in the past fve years because Indianapolis has become more The boutique strives to maintain a fashion forward environ- She had originally noticed that Indiana had potential to become bicycle-friendly: “The renewed bicycle community was because ment while advocating small businesses: “Indianapolis is a dia- something great: “What I had noticed about Indianapolis was of Mayor Ballard. I think the rationale behind that is probably mond in the rough of the Midwest, so to speak. Everyone thinks its reputation as being a city of “chains”—chain restaurants and economics, but bicycling is green, bicycling is healthy.” of Chicago as the major mecca, when in all reality, Indy is doing shops. I wanted to be a part of breaking that impression.” When it frst opened, there were 14,000 independent bicycle amazing things.” Even after opening up her own business, Kohn’s company dealers. Now, the number is under 4,000. Noting that he’s lucky With a business model that keeps Niche at the forefront of In- pushed to support more locally-owned businesses in the area. to have made a career out of something he is passionate about, dianapolis’ future, the boutique hopes to see the city grow leaps Still today, Silver in the City supports Indianapolis by sourcing Clark has to keep a business mindset: “You have to be a busi- and bounds. As a business, they try to engage their customers a portion of its goods from local makers and giving back to the ness owner frst and then a bicycle enthusiast. We’ve structured and motivate them to shop small business: “[Niche is] very active community through donations. It leads its community associa- a good small business and have survived for 31 years.” on a social media, encouraging people to shop and buy local, for tion which helps to cross promote businesses on Mass Ave: “For In order to support small business in Indianapolis, the com- everything from food to clothing.” every new business that opens, we become a stronger destina- pany is active in its community. By sponsoring N.I.T.E. Ride and tion for visitors and can help to show the nation that Indy has by providing bicycle education for its customers, BGI is a propo- A local forist to brighten up dreary days more to offer than national chains.” nent of shop locally. Gillespie Florists One family, full of rich Indy heritage A restaurant with a local philosophy 9255 W 10th St. Indianapolis, IN 46234 Shapiro’s Delicatessen @bromaxwell Scotty’s Brewhouse www.gillespieforists.com 808 S. Meridian 1 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46225 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 @jodizney7 As a fourth generation owner of her family www.shapiros.com www.scottysbrewhouse.com business, Sarah Gillespie has a vision of keep- @c_monster ing the company’s roots while continuing to connect to their cur- Back in 1903, Brian Shapiro’s great Scotty’s Brewhouse didn’t begin in India- rent customers. The business began in 1896 by her great, great grandmother looked at her husband and said napolis—it was frst established by Scott Wise Uncle Al and his wife as Grande Greenhouse. During the time “enough’s enough” after the Jewish population in Ukraine was in Muncie in 1996. After opening up other locations in other cit- period, greenhouses often doubled as fower shops. being beaten by the secret police. ies around Indiana, it only made sense to open up in the capital As time progressed, the Gillespies have continued to fnd suc- The Shapiros migrated to Indianapolis, and ever since then, in 2009: “It was time to make the next move to move to India- cess in Indianapolis: “Much of our success at Gillespie Florists their business has grown into an Indianapolis institution: “We napolis to be in the midst of everything.” has come from being active in the community and having a his- have kept growing and are still trying to take care of our custom- Downtown was beginning to see growth with the new Lucas torical presence in the community.” ers and keep to our basic principle.” Oil Stadium, the convention center tripling in size and the devel- The company stands by the motto that both businesses and Even though Shapiro’s has existed for more than 100 years, opment of new residential living. The success of this location is consumers should make a conscious effort to patronize local the restaurant still believes that Indianapolis can only grow if not only due to recognition of the brand, but because it supports businesses that beneft their communities, and Gillespies Flo- it keeps businesses here once they form: “We grow food, so we the local economy by purchasing local items like meat to put the rists participates in Small Business Saturday and Shop Local might have as well grow businesses. [...] The more our money money back into the city. throughout the year. leaves, the worse state that we’re in as a city.”