Absolute Living

Absolute Living

AUGUST 2022

A GRAND ENTRANCE

MEN AT WORK

BLAKE FOGELSONG

NATURALLY GLAMOROUS

A NEW STEP IN CONCIERGE MEDICINE

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E S T D. 2 0 0 7

August/2022

CONTENTS

20 A GRAND ENTRANCE

Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel

WITH BLAKE FOGELSONG

10

THE ABSOLUTE AGENDA

38

ROMAN ROOTS

15

A NEW STEP IN CONCIERGE MEDICINE

44

NATURALLY GLAMOROUS

29

MEN AT WORK

Our monthly rundown of the region's best activities in family friendly art, culture, sports, and good old-fashioned fun!

WellBridge Surgical brings white-glove service and the highest quality to outpatient surgical care.

Our 2022 class of entrepreneurs features a diverse and innovative group of men that find opportunity in every endeavor and strive to benefit the community.

Let Chef Raffaele D'Eusebio introduce you to the culinary wonders that lie deep within Rome's kitchens.

Why camp when you can glamp? Our guide to these fabulous destinations will provide you with enchanting opportunities to reconnect with nature–without sacrificing the modern comforts you love.

Volume 16. Issue 07. (#174)

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Absolute Living

Publisher / Editor JUSTYNA PEÑA

Marketing Director EDUARDO PEÑA

Assistant Editor MATTHEW HUME

Writer SUSAN SALAZ

Photography GABRIELLE CHEIKH NOEL JES NIJJER WILL SMITH PAOLA WILLIAMS

Art NICK PEÑA

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Absolute Living Magazine is published monthly by Pena Group, Inc. Copyright by Pena Group, Inc. Absolute Living Magazine is a registered trademark of Pena Group, Inc.

The

Absolute

Living

AGENDA

By Susan Salaz

August 13 Ales and Rails Nickel Plate Express nickelplateexpress.com

Ongoing, through August 18 Colts Training Camp and Colts City Grand Park Sports Campus colts.com

Sip your way through the scenic countryside aboard the historic Nickel Plate Express on the adults only Ales and Rails excursion, where you’ll savor a selection of beers from Noblesville’s Primeval Brewing—a Europeaninspired craft brewery that draws on the distinct styles of German, British and Belgium ales.

Kick off football season with the Indianapolis Colts at their annual pre-season training camp. Open practices, theme days and interactive activities including Colts City, Colts in Motion and the Play 60 Zone are all a part of the action at Westfield’s premier 400+ acre sports facility.

August 25 (4PM-7PM) Grand Opening and Trunk Show Hammitt by Purse Strings pursestrings.shop Hammitt handbags are hot on the fashion scene and ready to party.

Shop designer styles and celebrityinspired looks with Tony Drockton, Chief Cheerleader at the Californiabased company, in a celebration of the new luxury handbag store, a partnership with local boutique Purse Strings.

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August 26-27 GreekFest Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral indygreekfest.org Celebrate the vibrant culture and traditions of Greece at the 49th annual GreekFest.

The weekend includes an array of flavorful food and drink, cooking demonstrations, an authentic Greek grocery and bazaar, Hellenic Dance Troupe performances, and the famous music of Georgio and the Fabulous Grecian Keys.

August 27 Artomobilia Carmel Arts & Design District artomobilia.org While Artomobilia Weekend captures three days of auto enthusiasm and events, Saturday’s signature concours-style Artomobilia gathering in the heart of Carmel is a rare display of vintage, contemporary and eclectic cars expertly judged in more than 20 unique collector car classes. This year’s affair honors Ferrari, with a distinguished collection spanning 75 years.

September 2-5, 9-11 Sunflower Festival Stuckey Farm Orchard and Cider Mill stuckeyfarm.com For 51 years, the Indiana Black Expo has been hosting the annual Summer Celebration. One of the largest events of its kind in the country, the extended event showcases Black culture with education and business conferences, along with a free outdoor concert on July 15th featuring Patti LaBelle, Monica and After 7.

September 1-4 BUTTER 2: A Fine Arts Fair The Stutz butterartfair.com Showcasing the works of more than 50 Black artists, Butter 2 is back and better than ever in its second year. The multi-day, experiential event organized by the local cultural development firm GANGGANG includes curated visual art throughout the galleries, interactive installations, live performances, workshops and historic walking tours.

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September 3 Charlie Ballantyne Trio The Jazz Kitchen thejazzkitchen.com Finishing his national tour on a hometown stage, local jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine is sure to swoon with grooves from his newest album Falling Grace (featuring Jesse Wittman on bass and Cassius Goens III on drums) with two sets at the hip yet cozy SoBro club and restaurant.

September 9-11 Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival Conner Prairie connerprairie.org Early birds will enjoy sunrise hot air balloon races and competitions, while night owls can come at dusk for an illuminating balloon glow at the Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival. Events include refreshment at the Apple Store, live music, children’s activities and a preview of this year’s Headless Horseman corn maze.

Carmel's Premier Med-Spa

By Susan Salaz

A New Step in Concierge Medicine WellBridge Surgical in Zionsville aims to offer white-glove service to outpatient surgical needs with efficient, high-quality, patient-centered care.

I

ndiana is home to the nation’s largest medical school, esteemed research organizations, pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic institutes, and has long been a leader in innovative healthcare. WellBridge Surgical in Zionsville is building on that foundation, offering patients high-quality outcomes along with white-glove, conciergestyle service and full transparency in their system. Sourcing the area’s top talent, from technicians and nurses to doctors and surgeons, WellBridge is able to provide a high-touch experience where patients are prioritized and led step by step throughout the process, whether they are having a bunion removed or a hip replaced.

The new facility has seen nearly 400 successful surgeries since it opened last December. It features cutting-edge operating room technology combined with a relaxed, “coffee-shop feel” waiting area. At the same time, it leaves out standard corporate healthcare offenses such as the stale fluorescent lighting and intermediaries who normally add to the cost, putting this savings back into the pockets of their patients. While hospitals struggle to meet the bare minimum of new transparency mandates, WellBridge Surgical sets itself apart with their own definition of healthcare transparency. Here, surgical care bills are straightforward with all-inclusive prices listed right on the website that are a fraction of what they would be in a hospital setting, without

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At WellBridge, surgical bills are straightforward, with all-inclusive prices listed right on the website.

sacrificing competence or caliber. “It really is a fivestar facility,” says registered nurse Jane Whinnery, who oversees operations at WellBridge, which was recently accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, the gold standard for surgery center quality. Whinnery understands how daunting it can be to navigate large healthcare systems where patients often feel like a number instead of an individual. “But that doesn’t happen here because we’re so small and intimate,” she says, adding that patient navigators at WellBridge devote personal attention at every possible opportunity and customize care plans to meet individual needs.

WellBridge was founded by entrepreneur Jeff Williams, along with anesthesiologists Ron Piniecki, MD, and Eric Inman, MD. As a business owner, Williams desired a more affordable and better quality healthcare option for his employees. As clinicians, Piniecki and Inman witnessed the broken healthcare system from the inside and also sought change and transparency. Together at WellBridge they have built a service-oriented model where the goal is accessibility and understanding. “We want patients to come to us to help facilitate their care,” says Dr. Piniecki. “For too long, patients have been led blindly through the system. We decided it was high time they were equipped with the transparent data that allows them to make well-informed health care decisions.” By partnering with board-certified and often fellowship-trained surgeons, they can bridge a gap in the system by directly matching patients and individual needs with expert surgeons in their field

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based upon track record and experience. Dr. Inman points out that he has built relationships with surgeons across many areas of expertise throughout his career, and now at WellBridge, he embraces the role of liaison, triaging different patient situations with just the right surgeon, and in turn enhancing the quality of the outcomes.

Call WellBridge Surgical at 317-480-4200 if you are considering surgery or if you are a business owner with questions about how to build WellBridge into your healthcare plan. Visit the state-of-the-art facility at 6300 Technology Center Drive in Zionsville, or find them online at wellbridgesurgical.com and follow @wellbridge_surgical on Instagram.

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Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel

Artwork By Eduardo Peña

A Grand Entrance With Blake Fogelsong

By Susan Salaz

Step into another era at The Fountain Room in downtown Indianapolis, where third-generation restaurateur Blake Fogelsong is having a glamorous and crowd-pleasing heyday.

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ver since The Fountain Room opened in late July, the place has been bubbling with excitement. Things are like that on Mass. Ave, especially in the Bottleworks District, where an all-but-abandoned Coca-Cola bottling factory from the 1930s recently underwent a massive restoration to become one of the capital city’s most celebrated adaptive reuse projects, continuously drawing crowds to the brick-lined streets for food, booze and fun. Blake Fogelsong, owner and director of operations at Clancy’s, Inc., loves the area and was excited to become part of the scene upon opening a new version of the company’s flagship food counter, Clancy’s Hamburgers, inside the Garage Food Hall last year.

He envisioned something bigger though—something that blended fine dining with unabashed fun, something that gave him a bit more autonomy within the Clancy’s brand, and especially something with a “wow” factor. When you walk by The Fountain Room, you’ll definitely feel that “wow.”

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the corner space like a stage—glowing chandelier houselights illuminate velvet banquettes, gold-veined mirrors enhance elaborate artwork, and a vibrant supper club scene comes to life inside. Growing up, Fogelsong dreamed of pursuing a career in film, either as an actor or director, but when opportunities continued to knock in the family business, he quickly fell in love with a career in food and beverage. “I think there is a little bit of show business in the restaurant, and I really enjoy that,” says the Noblesville native, adding that he loves

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creating little worlds for people to escape reality for a bit.

The Fountain Room entices passersby to be a part of the action, whether it’s for a quick drink at the bar, a coursed dinner, or a nightcap and dessert.

Through the tall double doors, guests are greeted with a smile and with music that was meant to be, perfectly

curated by Uncanned Music. The set list includes everything from Stax & Sun Records to throwback hip-hop plays from a vintage Akai reel-to-reel, through a custom hifi system that matches the millwork. Fogelsong explains, “I really want the music to hit you when you first walk in and give you a big hug.” The boisterous tunes feel good, and so does the atmosphere. Inspired by the Roaring Twenties

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FOR THE FOGELSONGS, RESTAURANTS ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR. PATRIARCH AND INDIANA RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME MEMBER, THE LATE CARL FOGELSONG OPENED THE FIRST CLANCY’S HAMBURGERS IN NOBLESVILLE IN 1965. LATER, UNDER HIS SON PERRY FOGELSONG, GRINDSTONE CHARLEY’S AND MICHAELANGELO’S ITALIAN BISTRO WERE BORN. IN ITS THIRD GENERATION, CARL’S GRANDSON BLAKE FOGELSONG HAS SERVED AS THE COMPANY’S VISIONARY, CONCEIVING GRINDSTONE PUBLIC HOUSE AND GRINDSTONE ON THE MONON, CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS HONORING THE BRAND’S OLDER RESTAURANTS. IN THEIR NEWEST, MOST GLAMOROUS VENTURE, THE FOUNTAIN ROOM OFFERS A WELL-APPOINTED SUPPER CLUB ATMOSPHERE AND TOP-NOTCH SERVICE, ALONG WITH EXCELLENT MENU AND BAR SELECTIONS IN THE BOTTLEWORKS DISTRICT OF DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS. “EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY HAS INSPIRED THIS PROJECT,” BLAKE FOGELSONG SAYS, ADDING THAT THEY WERE DRAWN TO THE HISTORY, LEGACY AND OPPORTUNITY THE AREA HAD TO OFFER.

NOBLESVILLE NATIVE BLAKE FOGELSONG SAYS THE FOUNTAIN ROOM JUST MIGHT BE THE RESTAURANT HE'S BEEN BUILDING TOWARDS ALL ALONG. "I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF SHOW BUSINESS IN THE RESTAURANT, AND I REALLY ENJOY THAT." CUSTOMERS WILL, TOO.

and the Art Deco architecture of the original Bottleworks building across the street, and tipping their hat to the Jazz Age and the Sixties and Seventies supper club era, every detail was thoughtfully planned through a collaboration with Kort Builders, Inc. and PHANOMEN design firm.

The supper club theme plays into the menu as well, with surf and turf staples and nostalgic offerings like French onion soup—or a relish tray for starters and a fountain float or ambrosia salad for dessert. “I really like preserving food culture and thought it was a concept we could have fun with and do our own unique spin on,” says Fogelsong of his collaboration with Executive Chef Andrew Popp on the menu. “We really wanted to push ourselves with creativity but also have some retro throwback items.” Like other Clancy, Inc. restaurants, including Grindstone on the Monon and Grindstone Public House, prime rib (a Fogelsong family favorite) is on the menu, but The Fountain Room takes steak to the next level. According to Fogelsong, the steak program here is one of a kind—all sourced from Halperns’ Angus Beef in Greeley, Colorado, wet-aged, then cooked to perfection on the 1600-degree Montague Broiler.

Although The Fountain Room left Clancy’s and Grindstone out of the name, it didn’t leave the family legacy behind. “All of our new restaurants look to the past, but also build toward the future,” Fogelsong says of the growth the company has witnessed through the years since his grandfather, Indiana Restaurant Hall of Fame member Carl Fogelsong, opened the first Clancy’s Hamburgers in Noblesville in 1965. Perry Fogelsong (Carl’s son and Blake’s father), who serves as the company’s president and CEO overseeing the financial and real estate side of the business, says, "What Blake has brought to the Clancy's hospitality is a rejuvenation to the Clancy's brands. I'm super proud of the direction of the company with a renewed focus on design, food, and hospitality of the next generation."

When you sit down to enjoy a meal at The Fountain Room, many tables offer a generous view of the stunning Bottleworks Hotel across the street. The parallels run deep between Bottleworks and Clancy’s, Inc.—both juxtaposed between the past and the future, perpetuating history in order to evolve into something even better. “I really like the preservation of what my dad and grandfather built,” the younger Fogelsong expresses, revealing that he has always wanted to branch out to do something new and unique. “I think The Fountain Room is really the restaurant that I've been building towards doing since I've been involved in the family business,” he says, eager to shine the spotlight on his new creation.

Located at 830 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, directly across from the Bottleworks Hotel in the Bottleworks District, The Fountain Room is open daily for lunch, dinner, good times and perhaps even a little mischief. Visit thefountainroom.com for more information and follow @the.fountain.room on Instagram for all its charming supper club vibes.

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Better for you and your family.

Joe’s doesn’t take short cuts when it comes to craft.

Enjoy high-quality, hormone-free and antibiotic-free proteins that will keep you feeling your best and won’t break the bank.

830 MASS AVE. SUITE 1480, INDPLS, IN 46204

By Susan Salaz

Men At Work This year’s top entrepreneurs are all men with an eye toward serving the community.

There are many types of entrepreneurs, but they all have one thing in common: a desire to grow and succeed.

Whether they start from scratch or inherit the family business, a natural entrepreneur will pave their own path and find a way to build and expand. This is true around the world and right here in Central Indiana, where we didn’t have to look far to find an exceptional group of men willing to bear the risk in order to reap the rewards.

Our 2022 class of entrepreneurs features a diverse and innovative group that finds opportunity in every endeavor.

They represent small businesses, large companies and scalable enterprise right here in our neighborhoods. These gentlemen are curious, studious and adaptable, and they don’t mind getting their hands dirty. They plan, but more importantly they do. While every individual highlighted here has risen to the top of his profession, each one is also dedicated to serving the community through their business—by creating jobs, giving back and encouraging others along the way.

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PAUL BRAUN Purse Strings owner

“Do what you love to do, and don’t choose a career because of the money.”

After years traveling the country working in sales for several national retail brands, Paul Braun decided to build his own business closer to his home and his family. He opened his first Purse Strings in 2018 and has since expanded to three northside locations. Braun—who shares six children with his wife Heather—gleaned valuable expertise earlier in his career, selling to stores similar to Purse Strings and putting himself in the shoes of the owners in order to help them build the brands they offered. “It was important for me to not only sell merchandise into stores, but for [the stores] to be successful with it and grow their business,” he says. This acumen has helped his own business flourish, as seen in the recent rebranding of the Fashion Mall location, which debuted as Hammitt

by Purse Strings last month in a partnership with the luxury California brand (and the first Hammitt store outside of Los Angeles).

His other boutiques carry more than handbags, offering décor, home goods, women’s and men’s accessories, and specialty gifts at every price point. “Fashion is always changing and it is exciting to follow,” says Braun of his niche market. This enthusiasm, paired with his experience in the industry, have led to natural success, but the real reward for Braun is satisfied customers who can always find the perfect accessory for themselves or as a gift for others. While Braun follows the career advice he was once given to never stop learning, he also makes a point to find time for fun and philanthropy as well.

Purse Strings has three locations, including Clay Terrace, Hamilton Town Center and the Fashion Mall, where you’ll find the new Hammitt

by Purse Strings, dedicated to the designer handbag line. Shop online at pursestrings.shop and follow @purse_strings on Instagram for all the latest fashions.

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ADEL ELHAJ Unlimited Motors Group founder/owner

“Success is contagious— simply stick around successful individuals.’’

An auto enthusiast from an early age, Adel Elhaj remembers poring over car magazines at his local library as a kid. Ready for a handson education, he gained experience working full-time in an auto body shop as a teenager in Lebanon, specializing in custom paint along with body and frame work. After immigrating to the US in 2005 with only $100 in his pocket, Elhaj didn’t waste any time activating his own version of the American dream. He found an employer in Indianapolis doing similar work and quickly gained a following for his impressive auto restorations. By 2006, Elhaj and his wife Angela opened their first dealership near Indianapolis.

“We started only with five or six cars, and as we sold cars we re-invested,” he says. Unlimited Motors has since grown to four locations and 80 employees, sourcing exotic, luxurious and highquality pre-owned vehicles.

“There is nothing more satisfying than making your childhood dreams come true,” says Elhaj, who is intentional about growing his business.

The passion has become a lifestyle for him.

The Westfield resident and father of four recognizes that money is a significant reward, but his interpretation of success includes being a productive member of the community and creating jobs that allow his employees to do something they love while supporting their own families. The tight-knit group of car lovers are like a family, all building upon the others’ successes, and Elhaj still loves to step into the body shop and show the technicians his own tricks of the trade. This devotion, a component of the efficacious culture he has built within the company, is passed along to the clients through knowledgeable and trustworthy customer service.

Find your dream car at Unlimited Motors, with locations in Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville and Elwood. For more information and to view inventory, visit www.iumotors.com and follow @ unlimited.motors on Instagram.

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PATRICK COWHERD eSpot Medical Spa CEO

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Patrick Cowherd, serial entrepreneur and founder of nearly a dozen companies in the spirit industry, has a new take on the title CEO: Chief Encouraging Officer. The fashion aficionado, athlete and former University of Louisville cheerleader loves creating businesses and has grown a portfolio to include his parent company PC Brands, Cheercussion (the maker of protective cheerleading helmets) and Paragon XL (a recruiting service dedicated to student cheerleaders and dancers), among others. His latest enterprise, the eSpot Medical Spa in Carmel, which is set to open in 20 more states soon, offers non-invasive laser therapy solutions to accelerate pain relief and healing that is safe and effective for all skin colors.

In all of his ventures, Cowherd positions himself among others, rolling up his sleeves and working together because, in his heart, Cowherd is a coach. “Not just a sports coach,” he clarifies, “but a life coach and a business coach as well.” His passion for helping others is more than a brand, but his ministry. He has aspirations to build a community of homes for the homeless, offering them employment opportunities and a fresh start. Faced with his own challenges and adversity, Cowherd kept pushing through, gaining knowledge, and looking to others. “People are our greatest resources,” he says, and always surrounds himself with amazing people, like his business partner Margi Beaver, who keeps him on his toes, and his mentor Milton O. Thompson, a civic leader and fellow sports enthusiast.

Cowherd seeks to make the community a better place by igniting a spark in everyone he encounters, encouraging them to live their best life.

Follow Patrick Cowherd on Facebook and @ thecheeragent on Instagram for a daily dose of inspiration. You can also visit the eSpot Medical Spa at 11405 N. Pennsylvania Street in Carmel or find out more at espotspa.com.

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QUINN SHEPHERD Shepherd Insurance CEO and CSO/Managing Partner

“To be successful, you must treat everyone by the golden rule: treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.’’

Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Shepherd Insurance is one of the Top 50 largest independent insurance agencies in the country.

Quinn Shepherd, whose father started the company in 1977, has been involved in the business from a young age. The Carmel High School and Ball State University graduate went on to Grace College and Theological Seminary, then gained invaluable insurance experience at a national brand before coming back to the family business. He has served in many roles—currently as CEO where his primary role is to drive the vision, strategy, employee engagement and the growth of the Shepherd brand. “I believe my role is much broader—I see myself as the Chief Servant Officer,” says Shepherd. “I strive to make Shepherd Insurance a great place to work and grow because culture is so important to the success of a company.”

The son of an entrepreneur, Shepherd regards that he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to lead, direct and inspire.

When the opportunity arose to follow in his father’s footsteps, he was excited to drive growth, innovation and change. “Insurance is an ever-changing industry,” he states. “We serve companies and individuals who trust us with their most valuable assets. We strive to make the complicated easy and work hard every day to be advisors to all those we serve to provide them with the service they expect and deserve.”

A passionate supporter of the arts and community servant, Shepherd enjoys helping his employees grow through community service and volunteerism.

Visit the Shepherd Insurance home office at 111 Congressional Boulevard in Carmel. Find out more about custom insurance coverage at shepherdins.com and by following @shepherd_ insurance on Instagram.

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JASON PEEK Main Street Barber Shop owner/operator

“Just be yourself. Take pride in your work and who you are.”

If you’ve been to Main Street Barber Shop in Carmel, then you’ve been greeted by the old-fashioned red, white and blue barber pole out front and good rock’n’roll music inside.

Owner Jason “Hogjawz” Peek, Hamilton Country resident for more than four decades, likes to keep things classic. He confirms that his is a generation that always expects best efforts, a necessary trait in his line of work as a professional barber. He isn’t the first barber on Main Street—that tradition has been alive for 90 years—but by offering top-notch service, attention to detail, and a dedication to his craft and his clients, Peek and the team of six barbers have grown the business and gained a following.

After 12 years in the construction industry, pouring concrete and framing houses, the soon-to-be father surprised even himself when he enrolled in Indiana Barber College over twenty years ago. Upon graduating, he worked a stint at another local shop, but quickly realized bigger and better things were possible if he opened his own business. “Over 16 years later and here we are, running the busiest shop in Hamilton County,” says Peek, grateful to his loyal co-workers. “I love making people happy and feeling good with a fresh haircut and some entertainment that only a barber shop can supply,” he adds, but his commitment doesn’t stop at the chair. “We love getting involved with the community through donations and gift certificates,” says the avid outdoorsman who pursues involvement with many charitable causes.

Main Street Barber Shop at 41 W. Main Street in Carmel is an old-fashioned barber shop for the modern family, offering straight razor shaves, hot towel treatments and classic barber cuts.

For more information follow @mainstreetcarmel on Facebook and @msbscarmel on Instagram.

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JOE LAZZARA Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market owner

“Spend an equal amount of time developing your financial skills and your personal skills. The two quickest ways to fail in small business are ignoring your numbers and not knowing your customers and employees.”

With a degree in quantitative business analysis and 20 years of experience in telecom/data sales, Joe Lazzara admits that his background is not that of a typical entrepreneur, especially one in the restaurant industry. But with a lifelong interest in high quality food and inspiration from his two brothers, both small business owners, Lazzara and his wife opened Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market in 2006, successfully overseeing growth as natural food purveyors over the years. “My role now is much more supervisory, helping to make sure we buy the best proteins available, setting the table for our standard of customer service, and managing 17 full-time and 30 part-time employees,” explains Lazzara, always savoring the opportunity to educate his employees and his customers about healthy eating habits and the benefits of fresh cut, high quality proteins from a butcher shop.

For Lazzara, the business comes with a trifecta of rewards including family, friends and community. “The practical side of owning Joe's is that it has allowed us to support our family and participate in the community in ways we never dreamed of, from serving on local boards to giving back in terms of time, talent and treasure,” says the father of three young men.

“Our community has such wonderful families, and we've been blessed by them with their business, and entrusted with many of their children as employees.” He adds that watching those young employees grow into successful adults is very satisfying.

Find the highest quality proteins and gourmet groceries for every meal, along with carryout and catering, at Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market, located at 111 W. Main Street in Carmel. For recipes and to order online visit joesbutchershop.com and follow @joes_ butchershop on Instagram.

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Roman Roots Leave your preconceptions of Italian food at the door when you visit Ristorante Roma. It’s here that chef/owner Raffaele D’Eusebio departs from standard spaghetti and meatballs in order to elevate classic recipes from Rome, his beloved hometown.

By Susan Salaz

W

hen in Rome, do as the Romans do. But more importantly, eat as the Romans do. It’s easy at Ristorante Roma, where Raffaele D’Eusebio (who grew up in the Eternal City) is happy to be your guide. “You don’t have to go to Rome to enjoy that experience,” he says. “Our guests can have exactly the same experience— handcrafted food from scratch, right here in Carmel.” With a passion for his homeland and years of guidance in the kitchen from his mother and grandmother, Raffaele seeks to bring the authentic flavors of Rome to his guests with his fresh and seasonal menu. “This is a specific cuisine with specific recipes from the area of Rome where I am from,” says the young chef. Basically, there’s Italian food and then there’s Roman food—Ristorante Roma is the latter, shedding the broad expectations that many Italian restaurants maintain.

Here, the pasta is made fresh daily and served al dente. The vegetables rotate with the seasons. And each sauce is simmered and stirred with love. The coursed menu includes traditional antipasti, insalate, pasta, and secondi options that lean on fresh ingredients and simple yet creative techniques to produce layers of abundant flavor.

A specialty section reveals Raffaele’s signature dishes—his twist on Roman originals that includes lamb lollipops, a mushroom carbonara, and cacciatore with filet mignon. And of course, no Italian meal would be complete without a glass of wine. Ristorante Roma offers an exceptional wine list highlighting many family-owned wineries and boutique labels. “We have an extensive list of limited selection wines,” says Raffaele, adding that he spends a lot of time finding, researching and curating a wine list that complements the rest of the restaurant and menu.

Tagliata di manzo

There's Italian food and then there's Roman food. Ristorante Roma is the latter. Says chef Raffaele D'Eusebio, "This is a specific cuisine with specific recipes from the area of Rome where I'm from." Mangia!

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Pachino e arugula

When Raffaele and his wife Alessia purchased Ristorante Roma from a family member in 2020, they knew they were in for a challenge. They rose to the occasion and have made it their own, but admit the learning curve that came with starting a new business in a new country at the beginning of the Covid pandemic was steep at times. “But it’s definitely been a lot of fun,” Raffaele expresses.

“Every day there is something new to do.” Despite the demands, the D’Eusebios have tasted success and are thrilled about their new location in the Carmel Arts & Design District. Natural light, brick walls and warm accents make the modern dining room feel comfortably elegant. With a welcoming atmosphere, impeccable service and delicious food, there’s no need to travel all the way to Italy for an authentic experience.

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Pannacotta ai frutti di bosco

Raffaele D'Eusebio

Bruschettine di Carne

Find discerning Italian flavors from the city of Rome at the new Ristorante Roma location at 89 Veterans Way in the heart of the Carmel Arts & Design District. For more information visit ristoranteromaindy.com and follow @ristorante.roma.indy on Instagram.

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Calamari & Polenta

DESIGNED FOR YOUR LIFE

BY TRIPHASE.

SEE K WOR R OU E 2022 , H AT T A-RAMA E HOM ATHAM CH S. HILL

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Naturally Glamorous FROM TREETOP RETREATS TO SAFARI TENTS AND RETRO AIRSTREAMS, THESE GLAMPING DESTINATIONS OFFER ENCHANTING OPPORTUNITIES TO RECONNECT WITH NATURE—WITHOUT SACRIFICING MODERN AMENITIES.

Camp Aramoni Tonica, Illinois camparamoni.com

A secluded prairie along the Vermillion River in the Starved Rock wilderness of Illinois sets the stage at Camp Aramoni, where boutique camping is taken to the next level. Offering the best in five-star hotel luxuries and immersive natural experiences, owner Jennifer Bias and her team leave nothing to be desired. “It’s just a beautiful, magical, serene place,” she says, noting the range of wildlife that visit the property, including deer, wild turkeys and eagles.

The 11 safari tents, made by Bushtec Safari in South Africa and named for native Illinois wildflowers, are climate controlled and comfortably furnished, and chef-prepared meals, along with gourmet s’mores every evening, are included in your stay.

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The Fields of Michigan South Haven, Michigan thefieldsofmichigan.com

Tucked away on a working blueberry farm near the shores of Lake Michigan, The Fields is a simplistic retreat that boasts elaborate attention to detail, including fully-plumbed canvas field tents, locally sourced Chef’s Dinner, and concierge services personalized for each guest. Irene Wood, who founded the nostalgic resort in 2018, says her version of a perfectly curated getaway includes an onsite massage among the pine trees along the Black River and a sunset sail on the lake with Captain John. “I might throw in a stroll through the field for some berry picking and an afternoon bike ride to town down the Kal-Haven trail,” she adds.

The Mohicans Treehouse Resort Glenmont, Ohio themohicans.net

Nestled in the lush forest of Ohio’s Mohican Valley, adventurers will delight in the premier treehouse accommodations at the Mohicans Treehouse Resort. These imaginative spaces in the sky are definitely a step up from camping, says Miguel DeJesus, who works in media relations for the resort.

He recommends the Tin Shed, where guests first climb a spiral staircase before crossing a 100-foot swaying suspension bridge that leads to the treehouse. “All of the pieces that make up the Tin Shed are really unique,” he says, adding that the rustic yet contemporary feel, the garage door that opens to a gorgeous view, and the modern amenities all add to the charm.

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Progress Park

Louisville, Kentucky progressparkky.com

Surrounded by nature, Progress Park is a hidden gem within the city limits of Louisville. Featuring seven new and vintage Airstream campers from almost every decade (including a unique 1980s “Squarestream” named Pearl), guests can revel in a quintessential, yet comfortable, camping experience.

“There’s no roughing it around here,” says co-owner Valerie Pifer of the all-inclusive resort. “Basically, you just need to bring your clothes, food and beach towels and we try to take care of the rest.” For the most impressive accommodations, she recommends Gigi, a 2022 Flying Cloud with all the bells and whistles you can imagine and a swing bed on the large, covered patio.

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Hoosier Glamping

Lapel, Indiana @glampingfun101 on Facebook

Escape the confines of home and sleep under the stars wherever you are with Hoosier Glamping, a to-your-door service that sets up posh all-season bell tents right in your own backyard.

Owned by Heather and Joel Edwards of Lapel, Indiana and operated alongside teenage daughter Delaney, who is involved in all aspects of the business, Hoosier Glamping brings the pleasures of memory foam mattresses and climatization to the great outdoors.

“We customize each experience,” says Heather, adding that the tents are perfect for slumber parties and family campouts, but bachelorette parties and honeymoon suites have become increasingly popular.

Tiny Urban Escapes Indianapolis, Indiana tinyurbanescapes.com

Still under construction, Tiny Urban Escapes, in the historically Black neighborhood of Haughville near downtown Indianapolis, will be worth a visit when it fully opens next spring. Unprecedented in the Midwest, here upcycled shipping containers are reinvented with designer appeal and sustainability in mind. Large glass panels bring the outside in, and luxury wellness amenities are offered throughout each uniquely themed suite. “Part of the concept of Tiny Urban Escapes is rest and finding balance and relaxation in urban settings,” says founder Robin Staten, hoping the space will be a place of inspiration and rejuvenation for her guests.

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