Founded in Italy in 1956, MaxDivani remains proudly family-owned, guided by generations of Ferri tradition. Every piece is handcrafted in-house—from the careful tanning of fine leathers to the last precise stitch—reflecting a commitment to artistry, comfort, and enduring design. Rooted in responsible practices and exceptional materials, each piece is made to be lived in and loved for years to come.
EXPERIENCE MAXDIVANI AT HOUSEWORKS.
THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA
For many Hoosiers, May means just one thingthe Indianapolis 500! We've got the race and the parade covered, along with Mother's Day, bridal trunk shows, flower festivals, the Carmel Marathon and more.
SUN SMARTS
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. We sat down with Dr. Melanie Kingsley to discuss skin cancer prevention, daily protection and general skin health for every age.
RACEWAY FASHION
Do everything Indy 500 in style with these elevated and effortless looks perfect for all your race events.
A FINER FINISH
Stephanie Wiott has built her Carmel-based studio around one guiding principle--that beauty and function are not mutually exclusive qualities of home design.
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2026 ABSOLUTE WEDDING GUIDE
In this year's guide, we bring you five of Central Indiana's finest wedding vendors, each exceptional at what they bring to your special day.
A FLOURISHING LEGACY
Five years into owning The Secret Ingredient, Pamela Ellis reflects on how the boutique's loyal customers remain her north star to this day.
WHERE THE PROOF IS IN THE PIE
This May, Bazbeaux Pizza celebrates 40 years of dough-making, community-building and deliciously zany pizza with personality.
'ROUND THE TOWN
These ten local spots are squeezing every last drop out of today's thriving juice and smoothie scene.
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AGENDA
May
May 8 - 24
Milla Nova Trunk Show
Marie Gabriel Bridal mariegabrielbridal.com
Marie Gabriel Bridal hosts an exclusive look at Milla Nova's newest Atelier: Set in Momento and D'Art collections through May 24. Appointments are limited, and brides looking to explore these runway designs in person won't want to wait to reserve their spot.
May 10
Mother’s Day Brunch Mercantile 37 mercantile37.com
Treat Mom to something special at Mercantile 37, the beloved Noblesville spot where handcrafted goods and a warm café atmosphere make for a perfect Mother's Day morning. Reserve a table for brunch surrounded by local artisan wares and the kind of genuine hospitality that makes this destination a Hamilton County favorite.
May 14
Indy Market Day Indiana Design Center indianadesigncenter.com
The Indiana Design Center opens its doors for a vendor showcase, giving design professionals and enthusiasts a chance to explore new collections of fabrics, wallpapers, trimmings and furniture all under one roof. Refreshments and light bites will be served on the second floor, making this a stylish midweek outing in the heart of Carmel.
May 16
Indiana Peony Festival Seminary Park, Noblesville indianapeonyfestival.com
Indiana's state flower takes center stage at this beloved free festival, now in its sixth year. More than 150 vendors fill historic Seminary Park with cut peonies, floral installations, food trucks and live music, while Hoosier Row extends the celebration through downtown Noblesville for an all-day spring outing.
May 23
500 Festival Parade
Downtown Indianapolis 500festival.com
Themed “Racing Through History,” the 70th annual parade steps off just before noon and courses through the heart of downtown Indianapolis. All 33 Indy 500 drivers lead a procession of towering character balloons, marching bands from across the country, and celebratory floats for the city's most festive front porch this race weekend.
May 24
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Don’t miss the green flag drop at the 110th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, presented by Gainbridge. Whether you're trackside or watching from a fan zone, the energy surrounding race day at IMS is an experience no Central Indiana spring is complete without.
May 31
Carmel Marathon
The Palladium on City Center Drive, Carmel carmelmarathon.com
The Carmel Marathon returns after its original date was rained out, winding runners through some of the city's most scenic streets and neighborhoods. Whether you're racing, cheering or simply soaking in the community spirit along the course, this is one of Central Indiana's great spring mornings.
June 5
Monterey Zack & the Big Look!!! Bier Brewery Carmel bierbrewery.com/carmel
Come early for Happy Hour and stay for songs with Monterey Zack and the Big Look!!! Bringing a warm, rootsy feel to Carmel’s Bier Brewery stage from 6 - 9 p.m., it’s a perfect way to spend your Friday evening with food, drinks and the soulful sounds of blues-tinged Americana.
June 11
Americana on Main
Carmel Arts & Design District carmelartsanddesign.com
The Carmel Arts & Design District kicks off its summer Americana on Main series with a festive opening day along Main Street. From 4 - 7 p.m., expect live music, food, community energy and the warm, walkable atmosphere that makes the District one of Central Indiana's most beloved warm-weather destinations.
Elegance Begins Beneath...
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By SuSaN Salaz
Sun SmartS
Q&
Awith Dr. Melanie Kingsley
With May marking Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Carmel dermatologist Dr. Melanie Kingsley on what every Central Indiana resident should know about skin cancer prevention, daily protection and keeping skin healthy at every age.
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Q: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but for many, a yearly skin check still feels optional. What do you wish more people understood about why that annual visit matters?
A: Annual skin exams help detect pre-cancers and skin cancers at the earliest stage. Not everyone needs to come every year, but I recommend a baseline exam for everyone. If you have atypical moles or a history of skin cancer, more frequent visits make sense, as those patients are likely to develop additional lesions over time. And regardless of your history, I encourage everyone to do a skin self-exam once a month so you know your moles and can flag anything new or changing to your dermatologist.
Q: What are the most common warning signs people miss or dismiss? Walk us through what we should actually be looking for?
A: Pay attention to a mole you've had for years that becomes darker, larger,
asymmetric or starts to crust or itch. A bump that looks like a pimple but bleeds or won't resolve is also worth having checked, as is any new lesion or unexplained bleeding on the skin. When something changes, that's your cue to come in.
Q: Central Indiana gets a real mix of seasons. Are there habits or misconceptions specific to Midwest residents that you see regularly in your practice?
A: Many people here believe sunscreen is only necessary in summer. But UV exposure happens every day—cloudy or cold, driving in your car, sitting by a window or walking the dog. Those exposures add up over years into sun spots, wrinkles and potentially skin cancer. I tell all my patients to find a daily sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) that actually feels good on their skin so they'll use it consistently. A few I recommend: EltaMD UV Clear for oily or acne-prone skin, Alastin HydraTint for a dewy tinted finish, SkinBetter compact for an easy on-the-go application and CeraVe
AM lotion as a simple, accessible option.
Q: When it comes to daily skincare, what products or ingredients should everyone have in their routine, and what should parents know about choosing sun protection for their kids?
A: Everyone's skin is different, so there's no single ingredient that works for all. What I do recommend is a regimen that feels good for your skin—one that doesn't dry you out, cause irritation or trigger breakouts. A few of my favorite ingredients are Vitamin C, niacinamide, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol or retinoid and, of course, a daily SPF. For children specifically, I prefer physical blockers, zinc and titanium, and there are excellent kids' sunscreens on the market that use only those with no chemical filters. Some people find them thick or slightly white on the skin, so I also recommend EltaMD products, which combine zinc with a few of the safer chemical blockers for a more wearable finish.
Q: What options exist for those who didn’t prioritize sun protection earlier, and where do you start that conversation?
A: There are so many available treatment options. Chemical peels, resurfacing lasers, IPL and BBL treatments, MoveoGlo laser therapy,
microneedling and ExcelV for facial vessels and rosacea are all options we discuss depending on what a patient is dealing with. The best place to start is a conversation with your dermatologist. We'll look at what's happening with your skin and build a plan from there.
Start your monthly self-exams and daily SPF today, and schedule your baseline skin exam with MK Dermatology, located at 12174 North Meridian Street, Suite 210, in Carmel. Learn more at mkderm.com and follow @melaniekingsleymd and @mk_dermatology on Instagram.
Trackside chic
Elevated, effortless, and perfect for race weekend, these curated looks from 8Fifteen Boutique are made for every Indy 500 celebration.
815 E 65th Street, Indianapolis
Stephanie Wiott, founder of Stephanie Wiott Designs, has built her Carmel-based studio around the single guiding principle that beautiful spaces and functional ones are never mutually exclusive.
A FINER FINISH
Stephanie Wiott
There is something telling about the way Stephanie Wiott describes a finished room. Not the finishes themselves (the tile, the cabinetry, the carefully chosen palette), but the feeling a client gets when they walk in and realize the space is finally, exactly, theirs. That moment is what she is after. Everything else is in service of it.
By SuSaN Salaz
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Founder of Stephanie Wiott Designs, a full-service interior design studio based in Carmel, Stephanie's philosophy has a name she returns to often: livable luxury. "I want homes to feel beautiful and inspiring, but they have to work for the people living in them," she says. "It's about finding that balance where a space feels elevated yet comfortable and functional for everyday life."
That sensibility was shaped early by the people around her. She grew up surrounded by makers. Her grandfather was a woodworker. Her grandmother sewed her own curtains and kept a pottery kiln in the laundry room. Her mother still sews. "Creativity was just always around me," she says. "It taught me early on that if you can dream something up, you can figure out how to make it happen." It’s a mindset that has stuck with her, carrying it into her career and starting her design firm with a focus on kitchens and bath remodels while based in Chicago. When she and her family moved to Carmel in 2017, the work shifted — not because she redirected it, but because the community asked for something different. "With so much new construction, clients were looking for help with the entire home, not just one space," she explains. "So the business naturally evolved into full-service interior design."
Full-service, for SWD, means exactly that. The studio takes projects from concept through completion, working across every room and layer of a home, from the architecture and millwork that define a space's bones to the textiles, furnishings and finishing details that make it feel inhabited. Stephanie's team brings that same level of intention to projects of every scale, whether a single reimagined room or
an entire new build. It is an approach that has drawn notice from the national design press, with critics singling out Stephanie's ability to stretch her vision from interior architecture all the way through to the softer appointments, ensuring that every element of a room is in conversation with the rest.
That evolution has not gone unnoticed. In the past year, SWD has been named to House Beautiful's Next Wave list and recognized as a Rising Star of Design by Traditional Home. Stephanie receives both with characteristic grounding. "I'm incredibly proud, but also very humbled," she says. "I never thought of it as a possibility. I just wanted to create beautiful spaces and keep pushing through the ups and downs. Having that work recognized nationally is still unbelievable to me."
Back in the studio, she leads an all-female team, something she notes that happened organically. "It actually wasn't intentional at all," she says. "But we have an amazing team, and that's what matters most." For her, a strong studio culture is created by finding people who truly care about the work, support each other and understand that building something great takes time. Here, that extends to how the studio works with clients, a process Stephanie describes as deeply collaborative and anchored in listening. Every project begins with a simple get-to-know-you call. It’s a conversation designed to understand not just the aesthetic a client is after, but how they actually live. From there, the relationship builds step by step, with each decision made together. In an era when inspiration is everywhere and trends cycle fast, she has developed a clear method for keeping projects grounded. "There's so much inspiration out there now, and it's easy to get pulled in different directions," she says. "We
The SWD studio, located in Carmel, is the creative home base for a full-service design practice known for layering warm textures, considered palettes and architectural detail across every room of the home.
Recently debuted at High Point Market, the SWD cabinetry collection, in partnership with Unique Kitchens & Baths, brings Stephanie's livable-luxury aesthetic to a line built for the homes she knows best.
always go back to what the client originally loved, the images they brought in, and the things they kept coming back to. Honestly, when things start to drift too far, we usually end up right back where we started."
Being rooted in Carmel matters to that process, too. For Stephanie, the proximity to the Indiana Design Center, the network of creative partners and the sense of community here are all part of what the studio produces. "There's a great sense of community here," she says, "and I think that energy naturally finds its way into our work."
This spring, that work takes a new form, with SWD debuting its own cabinetry collection in partnership with Unique Kitchens & Baths, launched recently at High Point Market. The line is a natural extension of the studio's design identity, thoughtfully proportioned, built to last and grounded in the same
livable-luxury philosophy Stephanie has brought to every project. For her clients here in Central Indiana, it means something designed with the same eye and intention that shaped their spaces from the start is now available to take home. "We can't wait to share it," she says.
It is the kind of next step that feels less like a departure and more like a deepening, which, if you know anything about how Stephanie approaches a room, sounds exactly right. "We really do love what we do," she says. "We're not perfect, but we care deeply, and that shows in our work."
Find Stephanie Wiott Designs studio location at 30 1st Street SW in Carmel. Explore the portfolio and inquire about the new cabinetry collection at stephaniewiottdesigns.com and follow @stephaniewiottdesigns on Instagram for the latest news on project updates.
2026 Absolute Wedding guide
A wedding is made of moments, and the vendors who help create them matter more than most couples realize –until the big day arrives.
This year's Absolute Wedding Guide brings together five of Central Indiana's finest, each exceptional at what they do. Find the rings that will last a lifetime at Petite G Jewelers, say “yes” to the gown at Marie Gabriel Bridal, and build a registry worth coming back to at Charles Mayer & Company. Let Blue Llama Events bring your vision to life with seamless, sophisticated planning, and transform your celebration into a fully realized environment with Outdoor Environments Group. Whatever your vision, these trusted partners are ready to help you build a day, and a life, worth celebrating.
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By SuSaN Salaz
Petite G Jewelers
An engagement ring is unlike any other piece of jewelry. It is chosen at one of the most meaningful moments in a person’s life, worn every day and often passed down through generations. At Petite G Jewelers, owner Dana Friedman has built a boutique experience around the weight of that decision, where expertise, patience and a genuine commitment to perfection define every appointment. With bench jewelers and a full custom design studio, Petite G is equipped to bring any vision to life. Whether a bride arrives with a detailed sketch or simply a feeling she can't quite articulate, the team's depth of experience translates it into something lasting. "It's the one piece of jewelry you will have forever," says Dana.
Petite G's bridal offering extends across the full arc of a couple's story, from wedding bands and
coordinating bridal party jewelry to anniversary stacks that evolve with the years. “Bridal jewelry should never feel like a one-day piece, but something you can wear for each wedding event and long after the celebration ends,” Dana explains, noting colored stones, multi-stone designs and bold, chunkier bands lead current looks. The boutique's designer collections include Megan Thorne, Erika Winters and Sylvie, in styles spanning modern and classic to romantic and vintageinspired. The vintage case offers one-of-a-kind pieces from different eras, each carrying the craft and character of its time for a look that can't be replicated.
What sets Petite G apart are the relationships that grow with the family. From the engagement ring to the wedding band, the push present to the anniversary stack, clients return for every milestone that follows.
Find Petite G Jewelers at 5609 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis. Visit petitegjewelers.com to explore collections or schedule a consultation, and follow @petitegjewelers on Instagram.
Blue Llama Events
Jean Rivers didn't start out as a wedding planner. She started as a photographer. And that front-row seat to the emotional arc of a wedding day shaped everything that came after. "That vantage point showed me what works, what doesn't, and where thoughtful planning can elevate the entire experience," she says. That insight became the foundation of Blue Llama Events, a full-service planning and design firm Jean built at the intersection of aesthetics, logistics and production.
What sets Blue Llama apart is a dual focus that doesn't ask couples to choose between beautiful and seamless. "We give equal attention to design, flow, timing, guest experience and cultural nuance," says Jean. The award-winning firm specializes in multicultural and fusion weddings. These celebrations require a careful blending of traditions, timelines and expectations, from ceremony rituals and family dynamics to reception flow and vendor coordination, as well as multi-day wedding weekends and large-scale events. For couples further along in the process, elevated coordination services bring professional oversight to the final stretch of planning.
A signature bridal concierge service ensures the couple is personally attended to from the first moments of the wedding day, handling everything from gown steaming and bustle assistance to vendor deliveries and lastminute logistics, expertly and without interruption, so the only thing the couple has to do is celebrate. "Each wedding is an opportunity to tell a story," Jean says, "one that reflects not only the couple, but the people, cultures and traditions that have shaped them." For fullservice planning, Jean recommends reaching out 10 to 15 months in advance, though Blue Llama meets couples wherever they are in the process.
Couples can learn more and schedule a consultation at bluellama.events. Follow @bluellamaevents on Instagram for images and inspiration.
Marie Gabriel Bridal
Finding the dress is rarely just about the dress. It is about the moment a bride steps into a space that understands her, and the team that helps her find the gown she will remember for the rest of her life. At Marie Gabriel Bridal, owner Young Colling has spent years building a destination where curation, expertise and genuine relationships with the world's leading designers come together in a single, carefully considered experience.
Natural light fills the boutique's intimate yet open space, designed so brides can try on in private while still feeling the energy of the room. "Each detail here was carefully thought of," says Young, adding, “Every gown that we carry is specifically chosen with purpose." Young and her daughter, Anne-Marie Colling, have spent years building relationships worldwide with the best designers in the bridal industry, hand-selecting every one of the 1,400-plus styles on the floor. With a range of silhouettes and styles, Marie Gabriel offers one of the most comprehensive selections of designer collections anywhere in the country.
The styling team, personally trained by Young, brings more than 60 years of combined bridal experience to each appointment, while a full inhouse alterations department ensures every gown is finished with the same care it was chosen with. A dedicated mother of the bride selection means the whole family is considered.
Trunk shows bring the newest runway looks directly to Indianapolis, often straight from Bridal Fashion Week, giving brides exclusive access to styles and designer incentives not available throughout the year. This spring, the Milla Nova trunk show runs through May 24, featuring their newest collections.
Visit Marie Gabriel Bridal at 5830 E. 86th Street in Indianapolis, or explore their offerings at mariegabrielbridal.com and on Instagram @mariegabrielcouturebridal and @mariegabrielsocial.
Outdoor Environments Group
The most unforgettable weddings feel like a world unto themselves, where every element has been thoughtfully shaped and nothing exists by accident. For Outdoor Environments Group, whose roots run deep in landscape architecture and design and build services, creating immersive environments for life's most meaningful celebrations is at the heart of what they do. Chad Bruick, owner of OEG, explains, "Our approach is not just about landscapes, but fully realized environments designed to be lived in, experienced and celebrated."
OEG's event services span the full range of occasions and scale, from intimate outdoor dinners and
poolside gatherings to large-scale weddings, holiday lighting and exterior décor, seasonal container installations and corporate event styling. The team works closely with planners and vendors as a creative partner, managing everything from wedding floral and installation design to tent and spatial layout collaboration, ensuring every detail feels cohesive and intentional from the first conversation to the final sendoff.
What sets OEG apart is the depth of what they can bring to a single space. The team has engineered glass floors over pools to create seamless reception platforms, set crystal chandeliers by crane, laid custom stonework and built out full bar and drapery installations— all while managing the botanical
elements that transform a space from beautiful to breathtaking. "We were responsible for designing, building and shaping the entire outdoor environment," says Chad, “That's a different kind of involvement than most vendors ever have." Large-scale planter boxes, landscape florals, gas lanterns and immersive plantings are woven into environments that feel as though they were always meant to host a celebration. Here, the space itself was designed, built and maintained by the OEG team years before, then reimagined for a single extraordinary evening.
Schedule a consultation at oeggroup.com and follow @outdoorenvironmentsgroup on Instagram. (Images by Jessica Strickland Photography)
Charles Mayer & Company
Building a wedding registry is one of the first meaningful decisions a couple makes together. At Charles Mayer & Company, it’s treated with care and intention through a process that is personal, thoughtful, and deeply expressive. “We start by listening,” says owner Claudia Ryan, “to understand and discern what couples truly want.”
Today’s couples often arrive with a clear point of view—well-researched, design-savvy, and ready to create a home that reflects their individuality. At the center of the experience is Wedding Registry Director Jennifer Wilson, who leads couples through a highly personalized consultation that begins with understanding how they live. How do they cook? How do they entertain? What pieces are being passed down, and what new traditions do they hope to create?
Collections span the full spectrum of style and function, from the refined elegance of Ginori 1735 china and Saint-Louis crystal to the brilliance of
Baccarat barware. For everyday living, couples gravitate toward Juliska dinnerware, while Mario Luca Giusti offers a stylish and practical solution for indoor-outdoor entertaining. The range allows couples to seamlessly blend formal and casual, classic and contemporary, extending well beyond place settings. Serving pieces, platters, bowls, linens, statement accessories, and holiday décor are all part of the conversation—elements that transform a table into an experience and a house into a home.
Looking ahead, Charles Mayer & Company is introducing its “Sip & Scan” bridal event series, a celebratory way for couples to engage with the registry process while exploring the store in a relaxed setting, meeting vendor representatives, and curating selections with ease and inspiration.
In an era of convenience, Charles Mayer & Co. offers something far more meaningful: a registry experience grounded in relationship, expertise, and a genuine understanding of how a couple wants to live, now and for decades to come.
A Flourishing Legacy
Five years into owning The Secret Ingredient, Pamela Ellis reflects on what it means to build something of her own, and why the boutique's loyal customers remain her north star.
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Five years ago, Pam stepped into ownership of The Secret Ingredient not with a roadmap, but with conviction and a deep understanding of the women she wanted to serve. Today, standing in the boutique she now calls her own on the north side of Indianapolis, that conviction hasn't wavered. Neither has her clarity about what the shop is and who it's for. “Never in a million years did I think I would ever own another clothing boutique again," Pam says. "Here I am, five years later."
That milestone carries real weight. The Secret Ingredient has anchored the Shoppes at 56th and Illinois for nearly 50 years, building a loyal following among women in ButlerTarkington, MeridianKessler, Broad Ripple and beyond. When Pam took ownership in 2020, she inherited both that legacy and the responsibility to move it forward. What
she's found is that the two aren't in conflict, and that she's exactly where she's supposed to be. "I thank God every day," she says.
"I know who my customer is and what they want from The Secret Ingredient," Pam explains. That knowledge shapes every buying decision, including which longtime vendors to keep, which new lines to bring in, and how to strike a balance that feels both familiar and fresh. The result is a floor that rewards loyal shoppers who've been coming for decades and gives newcomers a reason to return.
That customer relationship is the throughline. Pam has made refinements to the inventory and introduced new vendors, but the boutique's signature experience (personal, attentive and built on genuine connection) has remained the standard. "We want women to feel good when they try on our clothes and when they leave," she says. It's
a philosophy that sounds simple and turns out to be the hardest thing to consistently deliver.
What sets The Secret Ingredient apart, Pam believes, is a combination of curation and care. The boutique carries pieces you won't find at larger retailers, with intentional choices made with a specific woman in mind. Pair that with a staff that takes the time to actually help, and the experience becomes something customers come back for. Five years in, Pam isn't resting on that. She's building on it. And by every measure, the legacy she inherited is flourishing.
The Secret Ingredient is located in the Shoppes at 56th and Illinois at 5631 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis. Shop online and learn more at thesecretingredient.us and follow @secretingredientstore on Instagram for upcoming events and store promotions.
By SuSaN Salaz
Where the Proof Is in the Pie
From a scrappy Broad Ripple storefront to an institution, Bazbeaux Pizza celebrates its 40th anniversary on May 12th, 2026, marking four decades of dough-making, community-building and staying exactly, stubbornly itself.
It wasn't supposed to be pizza. When Indianapolis bornand-raised Jeff Berman opened his first restaurant in Broad Ripple in May 1986, he knew takeout had to be part of the equation. He needed something the tiny space with only a few dozen seats could pull off in the dead of winter when the patio sat empty. Cajun food was the original idea, a nod to his college years in New Orleans. But pizza made sense.
What nobody predicted, though, was what Bazbeaux would become. With 50 toppings, scratch-made
dough and combinations nobody in Indianapolis had tried yet, it drew a diverse crew that was fiercely devoted—many the kind of people who made a whole career out of showing up and making something special. Many of them are still there.
Three years in, Bazbeaux pushed further into the city. Massachusetts Avenue in 1989 was quiet, with only a handful of restaurants, a couple of bars and some art galleries on a strip that hadn't figured out what it wanted to be. "There was nothing going on," Jeff says. "Now, of course, it's a thriving
entertainment district."
Over the years, both of those early locations outgrew themselves, and both were able to move across the street into larger spaces—though the spirit of the place hasn't moved an inch.
Carmel came in 2005, and in some ways it completed the picture. All three Bazbeaux locations sit on or just steps from the Monon Trail. It wasn't a master plan, but it became a throughline. "They're all in walkable entertainment districts," says Jeff. "They're all on or close to the Monon Trail. We always thought that was kind of cool." Each shop catches the
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full energy on a spring afternoon in the city, with outdoor tables filling up, foot traffic steady and the neighborhood humming with arrival.
Today, each pizza is still made with the same care and attention as it always has been. Every prep crew arrives early to make the day's dough from scratch, season the sausage in-house and build the foundation for the night ahead, including handsliced meats, Amish chicken and scratch-made salad dressings (like the locally famous creamy basil).
The Quattro Formaggio has been the top-selling specialty pie for all 40 years and has never left the menu. The just-added Full Boar and a house-made hot honey show the kitchen is still curious.
The most telling thing about Bazbeaux at 40 isn't the pies or the patios, it's the people. Joe Behringer has worked at the Broad Ripple location for 35 years, starting as a dishwasher. “Jeff has always been a good boss and owner. He takes good care of us,” he says, adding that it all starts by taking good care of the customers.
Ben Schimmel, who manages the Carmel restaurant, came to Bazbeaux 25 years ago as a line cook (his third job on top of art school at the time) and never left. The friendships he made in those early years stuck too—many of that original crew are still in his life today. Over the years he has watched the staff in Carmel do the same, a new circle of friends building something together the way he once did. "I didn't anticipate being at the company this long," he says. "It's nice knowing who you work for and being able to talk to them. Jeff allows autonomy. He lets you make mistakes and make decisions on how the restaurant runs," adding that the employee retention here is unlike anything else in the restaurant industry.
Matt Spence, general manager at the downtown location, has also been at Bazbeaux for 25 years. Several locations and positions later, Matt likens the Bazbeaux team and patrons to chosen family, which makes the job very rewarding. Jeff’s own son Max Berman also works as a manager downtown. “Bazbeaux has always been more than a job to
me,” says Max, who grew up rolling silverware with Amber (who is also still at Bazbeaux) after Saturday tennis practice while his dad did paperwork in the back office. “It’s been a huge part of my life. I’m proud to have a role in serving this amazing community. We have the best regulars, and a lot of them have become real friends outside of the restaurant.”
The list of people shaped by this place goes beyond the walls of any one location. More than a few who learned the craft here went on to open pizza places of their own across town, something Jeff speaks of not as competition but as legacy. Forty years is a long time to keep a pizza place running. In Bazbeaux's case, it reads less like survival and more like proof.
Find Bazbeaux Pizza at 811 E. Westfield Boulevard in Broad Ripple, 329 Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis and 111 W. Main Street in Carmel. View menus, hours and more at bazbeaux.com. Follow @bazbeaux on Instagram.
By SuSaN Salaz
’Round the Town
Operators — Your Mini Guide to the Area's Best Local Juice and Smoothie Spots
Spring has us reaching for something fresh. Whether you're blending your way through a busy morning or cold-pressing toward a better afternoon, these ten local spots are squeezing every last drop out of Central Indiana's thriving juice and smoothie scene.
Twenty Two Juice Bar
11670 Commercial Drive Fishers, IN 46038
twentytwojuice.com
What started in a restored 1964 Shasta Airflyte camper trailer has grown into one of Indy's favorite juice bars, with locations in Fishers and downtown Indy at the Garage Food Hall. Everything here is made with pure, raw ingredients, Indiana farm produce when possible, and nothing extra. The Shasta La Vista smoothie, a nod to those humble beginnings, is reason enough to visit.
Smooth
Pure Green
591 Monon Boulevard, Suite 2
Carmel, IN 46032
puregreencarmel.com
Right on the Monon Trail in Midtown Carmel, Pure Green is the kind of stop that fits naturally into a morning walk or a post-workout wind-down. Cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies and more are all customizable, and honey is the only sweetener in the house. A bright, welcoming spot that has become a fixture in the Carmel wellness routine.
Black Leaf Vegan
335 West 9th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202
blackleafvegan.com
This downtown Indianapolis café started as Indy's first all-vegan food truck before planting roots near the Canal in 2022. The all-natural smoothie menu is built without added sugar. Try the Vita Verde, which blends spinach, dragon fruit, pineapple and lemonade into something that tastes anything but virtuous. A full café menu, rotating local art and a lively community energy make it well worth the trip downtown.
SIMPLICITY Cold Pressed Juice
1101 East 54th Street, Suite E Indianapolis, IN 46220 simplicityjuice.com
Central Indiana's farm-to-bottle standard, SIMPLICITY has been coldpressing whole, real produce since 2011 with nothing artificial and no shortcuts. Juices are available for pickup by appointment at the Indianapolis kitchen in SoBro and widely stocked at area retailers. Named Best Juice Cleanse by Indianapolis Monthly, SIMPLICITY is the one to know if you take what's in your bottle seriously.
Bowlify Superfoods
816 W. Main Street
Carmel, IN 46032 bowlifysuperfoods.com
Located on Carmel's Main Street corridor, Bowlify brings a fresh energy to the local wellness scene. Real-fruit smoothies, fresh juices and customizable bowls share the menu with gourmet toasts and refreshers that set it apart from the standard formula. With hours stretching into the evening seven days a week, it's one of the most accessible options in Hamilton County.
Rush Bowls
11649 Maple Street, Suite 123 Fishers, IN 46038 rushbowls.com/fishers
Rush Bowls in Fishers delivers on the promise of fast and genuinely nutritious smoothies and acai bowls, made fresh to order with no premade bases. The menu is fully customizable with protein, energy and immunity boosts, and the no-fuss atmosphere keeps things moving. A reliable, feel-good stop any time of day.
Pure-trition
1957 N. College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202 pure-trition.com
This plant-based café offers a menu spanning cold-pressed juices and detox waters to smoothies and bliss balls, all made with local and organic produce. The Nutty Berry smoothie, including banana, peanut butter, blueberries, almond milk, acai and chia seeds, is the most-ordered item on the menu, and it earns the ranking. Can't get enough? Book the Puretrition food truck for your next event.
Greenleaf Juice
4930 N. Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46205 greenleafjuice.com
No GMOs, no added sugars and no fillers—just cold-pressed juice, smoothies and more, made from scratch with farmfresh, plant-based ingredients. Built on a promise of total transparency (every ingredient listed, every time), Greenleaf has earned a loyal following across its Central Indiana locations. A clean, honest option whether you're starting the day or resetting it.
Juice Remedy Online
juiceremedy.org
After closing its brick-and-mortar location, Juice Remedy is still delivering the goods online with an all-natural lineup of cold-pressed juices built around whole fruits, vegetables and wellness-forward ingredients. From the immune-boosting Reboost Remedy to protein shakes and sea moss, the menu is purposeful and worth bookmarking. Order now and stock your fridge.
Top Out Cafe
North Mass Boulder 1411 Roosevelt Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46201 topoutcafe.com
Perched above one of Indy's coolest climbing gyms (and completely open to the public), Top Out Cafe is a find whether or not you've ever touched a wall. Fresh juices, smoothies, elixirs and a thoughtfully rotating coffee program come together in an airy, welcoming space with plenty of room to linger. The vibe alone is reason enough to detour.
