Broad Ripple Magazine August 2021

AUGUST 2021

SPOTLIGHTING NORTHERN INDIANAPOLIS

MAGAZINE

HOTEL BROAD RIPPLE UNDERGOES EXPANSION LEADING THE LINE

Greg Hardesty Leaves Behind a Lasting Culinary Legacy CLIMBING CULTURE

North Mass Boulder Brings a New Era of Fitness to Central Indiana

BroadRippleMag.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

AUGUST 2021

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Hotel Broad Ripple Undergoes Expansion

It’s All About Small-Batch Flavor at Circles Ice Cream

STAY IN STYLE

SPECIAL SCOOPS

8

16

Greg Hardesty Leaves Behind a Lasting Culinary Legacy

North Mass Boulder Brings a New Era of Fitness to Central Indiana

LEADING THE LINE.

12

BROAD RIPPLE BIKE MAP

CLIMBING CULTURE

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Debra Stolen Hasbrook – Owner

HOTEL BROAD RIPPLE UNDERGOES EXPANSION Writer / Alesha McCarty Photographer / Michael Durr

A space that feels like home, and a location that places you in the heart of Broad Ripple and surrounds you with a wonderful community - can you imagine?

For the last six years, Hotel Broad Ripple has been a home away from home for families and travelers looking for a unique experience. In 2014 Debra and Charles Hasbrook set out to create the hotel.

The primary building is a brick home built in 1883 by Milas Boardman.

The adjacent property is a log-style home, combining the two properties to create Hotel Broad Ripple. Debra’s knack for design and customer service made for success, and in 2017 they sought growth by adding a property, which is now referred to as the Cottage. Originally built in 1940, the Cottage now serves as a four-room, peaceful retreat for guests. The owners became co-owners of their newest space at 6508 East Westfield Boulevard, using the first floor as an event space.

The newest addition is a five-story building built in 1974. The space

offers wonderful views of the White River and a unique perspective over the rooftops of Broad Ripple. Debra took the opportunity to expand Hotel Broad Ripple, adding six more rooms as options for the community. The new space will feature a 1960s and 1970s feel, including a Dorothy Draper-themed room.

Renovations began with removal of the large glass curtain walls on the east and west of the building, allowing for private balconies for each of the six new rooms. Three of the rooms will have a wonderful view of the village, while the other three overlook the river. Debra is passionate about reconnecting our community with the river.

“Broad Ripple and the river have not ever been connected the way they should be, and we’re trying to change that,” Debra says.

The meeting space on the first floor is also undergoing renovations and will have a large outdoor space that overlooks the river. Comfortable furniture, greenery and outdoor heaters will be included. The meeting space is beautifully designed, with light coming from both the east and west windows.

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There is an era and an aesthetic for everyone at Hotel Broad Ripple.

The new space includes a slightly different design feel for each of the six rooms. Each space at Hotel Broad Ripple is thoughtfully curated, while having all the essentials for a weary traveler.

“We often have guests that want to try every room,” Debra says.

Debra is often inspired by found objects from local spots like Midland Arts & Antiques. Each room in the new space will also have a refrigerator, vintage ice bucket and coffee maker.

community. In addition to furniture and decor from Midland Arts & Antiques, Debra sources many items for the hotel locally.

Each room has a fresh flower arrangement from Molly & Myrtle.

The bathrooms are stocked with luxurious products from William Roam.

The Bunkhouse Lounge is open to the public on weekends from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and is stocked with libations from Sun King Brewing and Bier Brewery. Mugs from local potter Chris DePrez will keep your coffee warm. In the evenings you can often relax outside with a free weekly concert.

“When I opened this, all I wanted was that people left and said, ‘Oh, Debra loves being located near the Monon Trail. that was nice,’ and it’s been so much more than that,” Debra says.

The owners have 40% to 50% repeat customers. Hotel Broad Ripple largely serves Butler University families.

“Guests can go north to nature, or go south to take in the buzz of the village,” Debra says.

“They feel like family, and after four years it’s very sad to know they won’t be back,” Debra says. “You get very attached to your guests.”

In tribute to the community, the facility will feature a 20’ peace sign, painted by Broad Ripple’s very own Blice Edwards.

Debra takes pride in the fact that she can provide a home for families in the Broad Ripple community, and the hotel is also the perfect space for a staycation.

“What other message can we send right now - it’s what the community needs,” Debra adds.

The hotel owners take great pride in connecting with the

Hotel Broad Ripple is located at 6520 East Westfield Boulevard in Indianapolis. For more info, visit hotelbroadripple.com.

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LEADING THE LINE. G R E G H A R D E S T Y L E AV E S B E H I N D A LASTING CULINARY LEGACY is immense, and more than anything, he was a mentor to anyone who shared his passion for food.

Writer / Alesha McCarty Photographer / Michael Durr Illustrator / Tom Day

A humble man who contributed significantly to the growth of the Indianapolis food scene has left the table.

The culinary world is heartbroken by the loss of the man who inspired so many of the talented chefs and creators in our city.

After a year-long battle with cancer, Greg Hardesty has now gone to rest. The effect that his devotion had on our community

Hardesty attended Indiana University, studying public and environmental affairs, and graduated in 1991. He enjoyed spending time with his roommates Hardesty devoted 30 years to the industry, and cooked simple things like chili. He and the community he helped build realized how great it felt to feed people, for passionate and skilled individuals and took a career turn in 1992. His first is expansive. Anyone in the industry job in the industry was at the Glass will tell you of the modest chef they Chimney restaurant in Carmel. From trained under, or how he touched their there he worked as a sous-chef at Rubicon lives through his passion for food and restaurant in San Francisco, and finecommunity. tuned his skills.

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Hardesty opened H2O Sushi in Indianapolis in 2000, bringing Broad Ripple a fun, creative Asian culinary experience like no one had even seen.

His next endeavor, Elements farm-to-fork bistro, was inspired by relationships he created with the community and local farmers. To today’s community this may not seem exceedingly innovative, but in 2003 it was not so common. Many in the community appreciated the pioneering menus and expertly chosen wine pairings.

After many years building a community, Hardesty set out on a journey to open a culinary playground, Recess, and eventually Room Four, which opened adjacent to Recess.

Eventually Hardesty decided to take some time to focus on his family. His love for his wife Susan, and daughters Juliet and Gloria, was infectious. After spending some much-needed time with his family, Hardesty realized he could not leave the industry just yet. In 2019 he set forth to open Studio C, a small, humble space where the food was simple but inspired.

He wanted a place where everyone could gather and dine like family, with mornings full of homemade oatmeal cookies and excellent drip coffee - a space where industry folk could gather, work and grow.

One may say Hardesty has left the table, but he’ll always be part of our table because he inspired it. His dedication and mentorship to the community will never be forgotten.

Cheers Greg and thank you for your contributions to our culinary community and the entire city of Indianapolis.

Hardesty is survived by his wife Susan, his two daughters Juliet and Gloria, his mother Toni Savone, and his father Ron Hardesty.

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love you. Thanks for loving us, Greg.” – Cassie Anies

“His humble nature was as legendary as his food.” – Suzanne Krowiak

“Greg Hardesty got me here without ever “He was such a gracious, talented and knowing, his legacy and influence will endure.” engaging person that it’s hard to picture the – AJ Ruiz Circle City without him. There are too many great new joints to even experience, most owe “The Godfather of Fine Dining.” – Annie Zoll it to Greg Hardesty.” – Elton Slone “He created with more passion and honesty than anyone else we’ve ever met.” – Jonathon Brooks “Thank you for feeding us.” – Erin Hines “Greg brought us together, he was vulnerable in his struggles and held space for others in their own.” – Ashley Brooks

legend.” – Eli Laidlaw “Greg was the foundation of my love for hospitality. Ten years later and I still am being taught by him to find the thing in the mess to smile about and hang onto that.” – Kathleen Wildman

“We laughed and ate and drank and cared about our work and each other. It’s the work “A true pioneer in the Indianapolis food scene.” environment I strive to recreate.” – Genesis – Indy Vegans McKiernan-Allen “This industry that I love owes an indelible debt gratitude to you, Greg.” – Demian Hostetter “We are all beneficiaries to his legacy of innovative local cuisine created by his own hands.” – BR Farmer’s Market

“Our culinary family lost a soul that greatly impacted and shaped the local food scene as we know it.” – Jenna Unrue

“Without Greg Hardesty, there’d be no Abbi Merriss, without Abbi, there wouldn’t be a Bluebeard.” – Bluebeard

“I told him I just want to make the food that I love and care about, he assured me that is all that matters.” – Dean Sample “Your influence in Indianapolis is immeasurable and will be felt in this city for generations.” – Zach Wilks

“Greg was caring, he not only cared about every dish he created and sent to a table, but he also cared about his staff, his legacy runs through us.” – Lauren Benbenek

“He was this tangible, magnetic, imperfectlyperfect person, that we all learned so much from.” – Jessica Tellstrom

“Greg looked after us all, he created a world Indianapolis would have never known.” – Jason Firebaugh “He taught me that what isn’t on the plate can sometimes be as important as what is on the plate, to be patient, not only with my craft, but with others, and myself.” – Neal Brown “Greg and I had a tight bond.

He knew how to calm me and make me laugh. I was fiercely protective of him. While perfectly imperfect – he had the best heart and creative soul.” – Susan Hardesty

Upon being assigned to this article, I realized quickly, it was not something I could write on my own, it was not my story to tell.

“The anticipatory feeling that our kitchen staff So, in celebration of Greg, I gathered the had of ‘getting to’ work with the revered Chef community, the line he led, the lines will never “He was incredibly humble, truly inspiring to was quickly dissipated by Greg’s refusal to end, they extend beyond what this page has so many people. I’m so thankful he let some indulge in the awe that preceded his presence the capability of holding. The line will extend stranger into his kitchen to make doughnuts, I wouldn’t have developed into the baker I am in our kitchen. He was very much ‘one of us’ all for generations to come and in places we may never even realize, but one thing is for sure, of the time.” – Spoke and Steele today.” – Amanda Gibson Greg Hardesty led the line.

“Those of us who knew him were lucky to have “He provided me a livelihood over the last 18 met him, those who didn’t will feel his impact years, but the greatest gift he gave me was the SCAN HERE inclusion in his family.” – Kimberley Gross any time they have a meal in Indy.” – Jeff Williams Parker “He was a man of heart, a man who wanted to help people, who wanted to give back, and who really was an amazing human, and far more than just a chef.” – Jennifer Rubenstein “No matter what I was dealing with in life, seeing Greg always brightened up my day and I knew I could always be 110% transparent with him.” - Madgeline Walker “There’s a reason why food is the epicenter of every culture, holiday, family gathering and major event in your life. People who feed you,

“I was always in awe of his bravery for pushing this city’s culinary envelope.” – Tracy Gottlieb Bassett “He was always proudest of all the young chefs who had left his restaurants and gone on to be successful on their own.” – Jolene Ketzenberger “Even when I wasn’t in his kitchen, I always cooked the ‘Greg Way,’ the ‘Right Way.’ He was always there for me and he never had to be.

You are and always will be an absolute icon, a

10 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

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Wes DeBoy

IT’S ALL ABOUT SMALL-BATCH FLAVOR AT CIRCLES ICE CREAM Writer & Photographer / Alesha McCarty 14 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

es DeBoy, owner of Circles Ice Cream, put a spin on his creative outlet four years ago and has been mixing things up ever since. After purchasing an ice cream maker, he decided to treat his friends at their Fourth of July party, and everyone loved it.

His friends helped him create a business name and logo, and in return he offered to drop off some ice cream in Kokomo. Soon everyone wanted some, and he has been delivering ice cream every weekend since. The first flavor was a hit - homemade peanut butter, blended with vanilla ice cream, and layered with dark chocolate flakes.

special. His newest flavor is Monon Trail Mix, a salty-sweet selection. The base starts with a pretzel-vanilla flavor and then layers of salty-sweet trail mix, with just a splash of Hotel Tango vodka to make it extra creamy.

You may consider this your ultimate junkfood ice cream, but all the salty goodness is perfect for a day out on the trail. The trail mix is jam-packed with potato chips, M&M candies and chocolate pieces, and is sure to give you the sugar rush you need to finish

your journey.

Whatever the future brings, one thing is certain for DeBoy. “I’ll keep spinning new delicious flavors,” he says.

Circles Ice Cream is located at 607 Fulton Street in Indianapolis. For more info, visit circlesicecream.com.

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Before mixing ice cream, DeBoy was mixing musical beats. Last year he retired from music and went full time in the ice cream business.

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“It was a simple transition from crafting a song to crafting ice cream flavors,” he says. “The goal is to create something familiar, but fresh.”

Last Year DeBoy had to adapt, and pop-up shops looked like a concept of the past. He put all his efforts into his delivery program.

“We figured people needed comfort,” he says.

Customers remained loyal, and the program grew. He’s now slowing down deliveries, and offering a pickup program at a new location on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Wildwood Market in Fountain Square will also offer an ice cream vending machine setup.

At the new Circles Ice Cream location on Fulton Avenue, DeBoy shares a space with 4 Birds Bakery. Deboy did his first pop-up shop with 4 Birds Bakery at Hotel Tango Distillery, and they have continued to work together.

After years in a shared kitchen space, DeBoy is excited that 4 Birds is renting space to him in their kitchen.

The flavors change seasonally. Circles starts with a base flavor and then adds in layers.

“I wanted it to be special - every bite down to the bottom,” DeBoy says.

He’s continually coming up with fun new flavors to showcase what makes our city

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NORTH MASS BOULDER BRINGS A NEW ERA OF FITNESS TO CENTRAL INDIANA Writer / Seth Johnson Photographer / Michael Durr

Elliott Steward

rowing up in Indianapolis, Elliott Steward and Zach Donovan had their fair share of adventures.

“We were best friends growing up in elementary school and middle school, playing in the woods behind our house, doing slumber parties and all that stuff,” Steward says.

Now, the pair of longtime friends has

embarked on a new expedition as the co-founders of Indy’s North Mass Boulder fitness center. Located near the north end of Massachusetts Avenue, the 52,000-square-foot facility features a bouldering gym, yoga and group fitness studios, co-working spaces, a full-service cafe, a bar and much more. Designed with the intent of making fitness more communal, North Mass Boulder offers several membership packages for adults and kids alike.

Thomas Bonifield

After graduating from Indiana University, Steward moved out to Seattle in 2010, where he eventually stumbled upon a climbing gym near his home.

people doubting me and telling me that it would be really hard, and that I probably wasn’t capable of doing it. That was the perfect medicine for fueling this project.”

“When I moved out there to the Pacific Northwest, I set a lot of goals for myself in terms of outdoor climbing, and to help achieve those goals I found a climbing gym in Seattle that was convenient to go to,” says Steward, who still calls Seattle his primary residence.

In order to make his aspirations come true, Steward searched far and wide for the perfect building to house his grand climbing concept. Fittingly, he came across the perfect location in his hometown of Indianapolis.

After spending some time at the gym, Steward was quite drawn to the community he found through climbing.

“I quickly got attracted to the lifestyle and the community of people that were attending that gym,” Steward says. “What I learned is that the climbing community is really a lifestyle that people identify with very strongly. That really resonated with me. Going to that gym was super convenient and fun, first, but the people attending there were super cool and that’s what kept me going back.”

Upon having conversations with the owners of that Seattle gym, Steward eventually made it his dream to start a climbing gym of his own one day.

“I started talking to a lot of people who had done this before - other gym owners across the country - and I made up my mind that I was going to do it, even before we had all the capital raised, and even before we had a building in place,” Steward says. “I was just really lured by the difficulty of the task of getting this done. I was fueled by so many

“We spent about a year and a half looking for spaces as far north as Milwaukee all the way down to Atlanta,” Steward says. “I was super attracted to Indy because it was my hometown, and I wished this concept would’ve been available to me when I was growing up. I ended up finding this space.”

“I remember the first time I walked through it looked very, very different,” Steward continues.

“There was no electrical whatsoever, hence why there are so many windows in here because it was all illuminated with natural light. There was no plumbing. I think they had one toilet in this entire building. It was super crazy to come in here, but I knew it had the structure to turn into a place like this.”

With a building in their grasp, Steward and company began raising capital and teamed up with an architectural firm to bring their fitness center to fruition. After about 18 months of construction, North Mass Boulder was created. The COVID-19 pandemic had little impact on its opening.

“We started construction prior to COVID,” Steward says. “We opened on June 19, 2021,

and it kind of felt like things had somewhat returned to normal. So COVID really didn’t impact us. It didn’t delay our construction really at all. It didn’t hurt our business model and delay us from opening. In fact, I would say it created a pent-up demand for connection, community, and being active outside your house.”

In reflecting on the future of North Mass Boulder, Steward says he ultimately hopes to cultivate a climbing community like the one he found in Seattle, where fitness fosters friendship.

“Our whole concept is based around community, and particularly around movement,” Steward says. “We say we’re a third place. The home is the first place, your work is your second place, and your third place is wherever you go to connect with your community. We wanted to create a radically inclusive space for the community to come feel safe and connect with each other around movement.”

North Mass Boulder is located at 1411 Roosevelt Avenue in Indianapolis. For more info, visit northmassboulder.com.

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One campus, Endless things to see and do... classes . camps . Events . Exhibitions Outreach . ARTSPARK . Clay . Drawing Fibers . Glass . Jewelry + Metals Painting . Photo + Digital . Print + Book Arts Sculpture W o o d M a ke I t Ta k e I t s visiting Artist Members workshops . Art Retreats . The Library . Homeschool Art . ArtReach Register Coffee BarNow! . Teen Art Council + MORE! Public Registration ArtTroop Begins August 2.

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Benefit Bash for the Indianapolis Art Center Saturday, August 21 . 6-10 PM at the Indianapolis Art Center

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URBAN UPLANDER PET CARE

LOCAL BUSINESS ADDS A PERSONAL TOUCH TO PET SERVICES Writer / Shay McCoy Photography Provided

Our pets are like family, and no one understands that more than the team at Urban Uplander Pet Care. Owner Melinda Benbow has a strong love and passion for the furry friends of the Broad Ripple area, and it shows in her dedication to the care of these animals.

Benbow always knew she wanted to get into the pet field, but was hesitant to pursue veterinary practices since the work can be emotionally taxing. She decided to get certified through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to get her foot in the door of the industry, and affect the lives of pets in different ways. This certification covers everything from nutrition to housing to pet first aid, from “a house cricket to a horse,” as Benbow says.

After obtaining her certification, Benbow saw Broad Ripple as a great place to begin a business revolving around the lives of local pets.

“That’s just where the care was needed,” she says.

Word of mouth has helped immensely in growing the business, and has had a snowball effect. Urban Uplander Pet Care provides a variety of services, and one of the most convenient services is in-home care. Benbow realized dogs and other kinds of pets are often much more at ease in the comfort of their own space, and providing this care is beneficial for clients. They also offer midday care, as well as vacation care and boarding services for longer stays.

They provide the unique opportunity for dogs to go through bird dog training, and emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement in their practice.

The pandemic affected the business, but they were fortunate that pets continued to need care throughout last year. They pivoted by purchasing and opening a home as a day care, to reduce home visits and provide a place for dogs to socialize and play.

Benbow’s drive to care for pets has led to a lot of growth for the business, and they are always looking to take on enthusiastic, like-minded pet sitters.

Benbow loves her job and says every day is a good day, especially when her clients’ pets are like her own. She says the best part of her job is getting to “facilitate pets for the entirety of their lives,” and helping to create a tight-knit community in Broad Ripple.

For more info on Urban Uplander Pet Care, call 317-6766986 or visit urbanuplanderllc.com.

21 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com

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24 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2021 / BroadRippleMag.com