TRAILWAY ADVENTURES
EXPLORING CENTRAL INDIANA ONE TRAIL AT A TIME
Mediterranean
Dining and Market
Corridor offers fresh, seasonal Mediterraneaninspired cuisine and market favorites, blending local ingredients, Italian classics, and Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta in a warm, travel-inspired atmosphere.
4 JUNE EVENTS
7 ACCELERATING INDY
Speed City Campaign Reimagines The Region’s Story & Momentum
11 TRAILWAY ADVENTURES
Exploring Central Indiana One Trail At A Time
16 HARRISON CENTER ARTIST PROFILE Eric Lubrick
18 PIZZA TRADITION SoBro Spot Blends Community, Consistency & Creativity
21 MADELYNN’S LASTING LEGACY
Transforming Personal Grief Into A Mission For Research
PUBLISHERS
MICHAEL & LINDSAY DURR michael@townepost.com (630) 853-1142
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
RENÉE LARR
JOE PELLMAN JOHN OVERTON BRADEN OCHS
DANIEL WOODY ON THE COVER:
MARISSA BYERS ON THE MONON TRAIL IN BROAD RIPPLE, WEARING A DRESS AND HAT FROM LOLA BLU BOUTIQUE
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
EDITOR JOSH BROWN
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SKYLAR ANDERTON
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
5
SCRAP SOCIAL: MONTHLY CRAFT NIGHT!
The Stutz, 1060 N Capitol Ave.
6-8 p.m.
Join Connection Club and Writings From Her Corner for the Scrap Social Series: a night to slow down, tap into your self-expression, and connect with others.
13
INDY PRIDE PARADE
Indianapolis Fire Fighters Museum, 748 Massachusetts Ave. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Get ready for the biggest event of the year in our very own downtown Indianapolis! Come celebrate love, identity, and community at the Indianapolis Pride Parade.
18
THIRD THURSDAYS IN BROAD RIPPLE
Broad Ripple, 6-9 p.m.
Third Thursdays run March–October and feature local shopping, art, food, and live music.
19
DYLAN LEBLANC
Turntable, 6281 N College Ave.
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Dylan LeBlanc’s new Album “Renegade” out now via ATO Records!
JUNETEENTH, $10 DAY PASSES
North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave,.
Join us at North Mass Boulder to recognize the history of Juneteenth and its impact on Indianapolis Black culture.
20, 27 THE INDIANAPOLIS ALLEYCATS
- INDY’S PRO ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Kuntz Stadium, 1502 W 16th St.
6-8:30 p.m.
TEAM
We are the Indianapolis AlleyCats. We are a founding member of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (2012), the world’s top professional league for ultimate frisbee.
21
COLLECTORS PALOOZA SUNDAY JUNE 21ST AT THE INDIANA STATE FAIRGROUNDS!
Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Over125 dealer tables of Pokemon and One Piece trading cards, plushies, and merch! Now located at the Ag/Hort building at the ISF!
From chart-topping bands and stand-up comedy stars to unforgettable Broadway musicals and world-class performing arts groups, Butler Arts & Events Center is your home for must-see entertainment. Located in the heart of Indianapolis, there's always something incredible to experience.
ACCELERATING INDY
SPEED CITY CAMPAIGN REIMAGINES THE REGION’S STORY & MOMENTUM
Writer / Joe Pellman
Photographer / Michael Durr
For generations, Indianapolis has been known around the world for speed. From the roar of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to a culture built on movement, innovation and ambition, speed has long been woven into the identity of the region.
Today, Indy’s emerging Speed City narrative is about something deeper than racing. It’s about momentum. It’s about people building careers, launching businesses, creating art, growing families and shaping communities in a region that believes progress should feel personal and attainable.
Speed City reframes the Indianapolis region as “the best place to accelerate life, career and business.” Rather than relying only on traditional economic development messaging focused on affordability or geography, the campaign speaks to possibility and lived experience. It positions
the region as a place where ambition meets opportunity, where people can move their lives forward with purpose, confidence and support.
That approach reflects a broader strategic shift underway. The Indy Chamber’s Accelerate Indy 2030 framework identifies storytelling and regional identity as essential drivers of economic competitiveness, talent attraction and civic pride.
The plan notes that “perception shapes competitiveness” and calls for the region to “amplify the Indy region’s story to build civic pride, attract talent and investment, and position the region as a nationally
recognized, opportunity-rich place to live, work and lead.”
At the heart of this work is the recognition that cities now compete not only on jobs, infrastructure and tax incentives, but also on narrative. People increasingly choose where to live based on whether they can see themselves in a community’s story. They are searching for belonging, creativity and possibility. The regions gaining national momentum are the ones that help residents feel emotionally invested while also helping outsiders imagine a future there.
That philosophy comes to life in the “INDY: I’m Not Done Yet” campaign under the Speed City banner, which invites
residents to share personal stories about their journeys, aspirations, setbacks and dreams still unfolding.
The campaign centers on a powerful idea: Indy is a region in perpetual evolution, always improving but never done. Instead of presenting a polished slogan, it elevates authentic voices from across the community, including entrepreneurs, artists, students, families and creators whose experiences collectively shape the identity of the region.
This matters because civic pride cannot simply be marketed from the top down. It must be built through participation. When residents see themselves reflected in the
story of their community, they become advocates for it. They invite others in. They share opportunities. They contribute to momentum.
Strong storytelling transforms residents into ambassadors, and ambassadors are often the most persuasive force in attracting new talent and investment.
Research informing Accelerate Indy 2030 found that the Indy region has historically lagged behind peer metros in civic pride and external perception despite significant economic momentum. That gap between reality and reputation represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Indianapolis has world-class sports infrastructure, a growing tech and life sciences economy, thriving arts and cultural districts, nationally recognized affordability and a uniquely collaborative civic culture. Yet many people outside the region, and even some within it, still underestimate
what Indy can become.
Storytelling helps close that gap. It gives shape to the region’s identity and creates emotional resonance that statistics alone cannot achieve. A data point might explain that Indianapolis is affordable or growing. A story helps someone imagine building a life here. It allows potential residents to picture their future in Indy, not just understand it intellectually.
Importantly, the Speed City narrative avoids the trap of becoming overly transactional or gimmicky. The campaign makes clear that this is not “fast for fast’s sake,” but “motion with meaning.”
That distinction matters. The goal is not simply to portray Indy as busy or booming, but as a place where progress feels attainable and human, where people can pursue big ambitions without losing connection to community and quality of life.
That message resonates especially strongly with prospective residents. Across the country, people are reevaluating where and how they want to live. They are searching for regions that combine opportunity with affordability, ambition with accessibility, and growth with belonging.
Indy’s story, when told authentically, offers a compelling answer. It presents a region where careers can accelerate without sacrificing quality of life, where creative energy coexists with practicality and where collaboration still feels possible.
Ultimately, Speed City is about more than branding. It is an invitation for residents to believe in their region, an invitation for newcomers to imagine a future here, and an invitation for the Indy region itself to step confidently into a bigger national story — one defined not only by speed, but by shared momentum, purpose and possibility.
TRAILWAY ADVENTURES
EXPLORING CENTRAL INDIANA ONE TRAIL AT A TIME
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures in central Indiana this summer, Greater Indy Trailways has you covered. The Greater Indy Trailways network has more than 800 miles of connected trails and greenways spanning multiple communities and cities in and around the Indianapolis area. While mapping out walking, running or biking journeys, residents and visitors alike can visit hidden gems along the way, whether breweries, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, or cultural museums and exhibits.
The project of connecting all 800 miles of trailways has been part of a larger $190 million investment to enhance infrastructure for Hoosiers and visitors. Within the last few years, Indianapolis’ official destination marketing organization, Visit Indy, put together the Greater Indy Trailways website, which maps out all the trails throughout nine counties. According
Writer / Braden Ochs
Photographers / Michael Durr and Daniel Woody
Vandalia
to Clare Clark, Visit Indy’s senior communications manager, the Trailways network has been a crosscounty collaboration that took years of research and focus groups, all leading to the launch of the website.
“Our Central Indiana region has long been home to amazing trails,” Clark says. “And we saw a need for a way to not only connect these trails altogether, but also provide a way for residents and visitors to fully explore them in a more cohesive way. So now, with the Trailways, you’ll be able to go online and truly map out your adventure for how you want to spend an afternoon or morning on the trails.”
This summer, Greater Indy Trailways is excited to announce its Trailblazer Adventure Pass, a free rewards pass available to sign up for on any web browser. The Adventure Pass is a way for people to explore all 18 premier trails and win prizes. As you navigate each trail, you can use your phone’s GPS to check in at designated locations to earn points. As you explore trails and earn points, you can become eligible to win prizes like trail logo stickers, Trailways subway-style posters,
Trailways totes and T-shirts. The pass is free to anyone who signs up, and it doesn’t require an app download. This seasonal pass is available through Oct. 31.
“As summer approaches and warm weather comes to Central Indiana, you’re going to want to get out and be one with nature and explore Central Indiana, and what better way than to do that from the backseat of a bike or on a nice family walk?” Clark says. “I think it gives you ways to challenge yourself to check out a new restaurant, brewery or museum and try to get there from the backseat of a bike. And this online resource will help you navigate from point A to point B if you live in one of those nine counties that encompass the Trailways.”
On thetrailways.com, all 800 miles of trails are mapped out and separated into three categories: premier trails, connector trails and access paths. Premier trails are off-street trails that run long distances, such as the popular 28.5-mile Monon Trail or the Indianapolis Cultural Trail downtown. Connector trails link the premier trails to local communities, and access paths are even shorter routes to get you closer to your destination.
Each premier trail is featured with its own webpage detailing the trail itself while listing points of interest, connecting trails and other information helpful for planning your journey. For those who don’t know where to start, the Adventures webpage is dedicated to curated
itineraries mapped out by local experts. If you’re a biker who enjoys trying new breweries or a bird watcher energized by peaceful walks, there are itineraries for you.
“Sometimes central Indiana residents get comfortable in the destination where we live, but I would encourage Hoosiers to take a look at what an amazing destination we truly live in,” Clark says. “This is an opportunity to take a bike ride from downtown up to Fishers or to access the Trailways up in Zionsville or Westfield. We have a lot of amazing hubs that have cultural attractions, great local restaurants and breweries, and they’re for residents to enjoy. Support local. Get on the trails this summer and find something new.”
To explore the Greater Indy Trailways online, visit thetrailways.com. To sign up for the Trailblazer Adventure Pass, visit thetrailways.com/pass. Follow the Trailways on Instagram or TikTok at @the_trailways.
HARRISON CENTER ARTIST PROFILE:
ERIC
LUBRICK
Eric Lubrick has spent much of his adult life in a darkroom. Originally from Houston, Lubrick called Louisville home for most of his early life. He later studied photography at Columbus College of Art & Design, earning an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art with an emphasis in photography before moving
to Indianapolis, the city he has called home for the last 15 years.
Lubrick’s art mostly takes the form of photography. At the beginning of his career, he primarily focused on 35 mm film before advancing to large-format film. Eventually, he shifted to making
collages by melding found objects and his photography into single pieces. More recently, he has been dabbling in the artistic possibilities offered by sculpture.
“Spending so much time in the darkroom shaped how I think about building an image. At some point, as an excuse to get out of the darkroom, I began making
collages. After maintaining a fine art practice, I began taking on commercial photography gigs, which pushed me to learn a digital workflow. I have been working digitally ever since,” says Lubrick.
Lubrick’s June First Friday exhibit is titled “Vestige” and is comprised of more than 90 photographs inspired by Dutch still-life paintings from the 17th century and modern influences such as Wayne Thiebaud and Harold Edgerton. His other four series — titled “Floral Radios,” “Shattered Flowers,” “Shattered Teacups” and “Breathing Images” — explore our current state of technology and miscommunication, and how those have impacted modern-day social habits, friendships and connections.
Learn more about Lubrick’s art at https://www.ericlubrick.com/.
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PIZZA TRADITION
SOBRO SPOT BLENDS COMMUNITY, CONSISTENCY & CREATIVITY
Writer / Renée Larr
/ Michael Durr
For more than half a century, Greek’s Pizzeria has been serving up a familiar combination of comfort food, community connection and consistency that has helped it become a household name across Indiana. What began in Muncie in the late 1960s has grown into a statewide brand with roughly 40 locations, each one carrying the same commitment to quality while still finding ways to reflect its neighborhood. In Indianapolis’ SoBro district, that balance of tradition and individuality is on full display.
Owned by Mike Bandor and his longtime business partner, Rafael Domenech, the SoBro location opened about a decade ago under somewhat organic circumstances. A previous partner identified the opportunity and brought Bandor and Domenech into the fold to help launch and operate the store. In addition to SoBro, Bandor also owns Greek’s Pizzeria at 71st and Binford in Indianapolis and the original Muncie location. For the duo, who have been friends for roughly 30 years and business partners for two decades, it was a natural fit.
“We were doing good numbers from the
very first week,” Bandor says. “And it’s only grown and gotten better since then.”
That early momentum helped establish the restaurant as a neighborhood staple, something Bandor attributes to a disciplined focus on the fundamentals. In a franchise system where consistency is key, delivering the same quality product day in and day out is nonnegotiable.
“If you have a cheeseburger in California, it should taste the same as one in North Carolina,” he says. “That’s how we approach our pizza. We want that consistency across the board.”
Still, Bandor believes the SoBro location stands out, not by reinventing the brand, but by executing it exceptionally well. He says the restaurant consistently ranks among the top-performing stores in the company, a distinction reinforced by a
recent accolade naming the SoBro location the No. 1 pizza spot in Indianapolis in an IndyStar poll.
While the menu delivers the classics fans expect, including the brand’s famously addictive breadsticks, there’s another feature that sets this location apart: its upstairs taproom.
The bar, tucked above the main dining area, offers a completely different atmosphere. Inspired by the post-apocalyptic aesthetic of the Fallout video game franchise, the space
Photographer
is filled with detailed design elements that give it a distinctive, immersive feel.
“It’s just a cool atmosphere,” Bandor says. “There are a lot of little details up there that pay homage to the game.”
The taproom also boasts an impressive beer lineup, with 30 beer taps and hard-tofind selections like Maine Lunch, a highly sought-after brew that few establishments carry. Despite its unique vibe and strong offerings, Bandor says the space remains something of a hidden gem.
“I’m amazed at how many people still say they didn’t know we had a bar up here,” he says. “After 10 years, that still surprises me.”
Even so, the taproom has cultivated a loyal following. Regulars from the surrounding neighborhood frequently stop in for a casual beer and pizza, reinforcing the sense of community that has helped sustain the
business over the years.
Like many restaurants, the SoBro location faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shutdown of in-person dining hit the upstairs bar particularly hard, but the restaurant’s core business model provided a lifeline.
“We were fortunate,” Bandor says. “Being a pizza place, we could still do carryout and delivery. A lot of places weren’t able to survive that.”
Now that the industry is rebounding, the SoBro location is focused on regaining another piece of its pre-pandemic routine: lunch service. After a multiyear hiatus, the restaurant resumed lunch hours on April 1, aiming to reconnect with daytime customers and expand its reach.
“We’re trying to build that business back up,” Bandor says. “Just getting the word out that we’re open for lunch again.”
Beyond daily operations, the restaurant maintains a strong presence in the community through frequent sponsorships and donations. From contributing gift cards and food to local events to supporting fundraisers and youth programs, Bandor says giving back is simply part of doing business.
“We’re constantly sponsoring things,” he says. “People reach out all the time, and we try to help where we can.”
That commitment to community, combined with a focus on quality and consistency, has helped the SoBro location thrive for a decade and positioned it for continued success in the years ahead.
For Bandor, the formula is straightforward.
“Take care of the product, take care of the customer, and stay consistent,” he says. “If you do those things, everything else tends to fall into place.”
For more information, visit greekspizzeria.com.
Speakeasy style taproom located on the second floor at 4901 N College Ave
Kristen Jung
MADELYNN’S LASTING LEGACY
TRANSFORMING PERSONAL GRIEF INTO A MISSION FOR RESEARCH
Writer / Renée Larr
Twenty-five years ago, Melissa St. John experienced a loss that would forever shape her life and ultimately spark a mission that continues to impact families across the country. Her daughter, Madelynn, lived just 16 months, but in that short time, she left an imprint far greater than anyone could have imagined.
“Life is such a gift,” St. John says. “She was such a joy to watch grow and thrive, even though the doctors said she was an anomaly.”
Born with multiple congenital heart defects (CHD), Madelynn faced daunting odds from the very beginning. At the time, survival rates for children undergoing open-heart surgery were stark; only one in 10 survived. Madelynn
defied those expectations, making it through her first surgery and giving her family precious time filled with hope. It was her second surgery that ultimately claimed her life.
Yet even in those early days, St. John’s advocacy had already begun. “I was fundraising while she was still alive,” she says. “I took her to heart walks with her little red hat on, which meant she was a survivor of heart surgery. She was the only child there. We walked with all the older men.”
That image — a tiny child among adults, fighting a battle few could see — would come to symbolize a larger issue St. John
soon uncovered. Despite being the leading cause of death for children under 2 at the time, congenital heart defects received little attention or funding. In 2000, she learned that only a fraction of research dollars were dedicated to CHD.
“That pushed me over the edge,” she says. “There was no awareness, and no awareness meant no funding.”
In the wake of her daughter’s passing, grief quickly transformed into purpose. St. John made a promise: Madelynn’s life would not be in vain. What began as grassroots fundraising grew into a decadeslong advocacy effort, supported by partnerships with organizations like the American Heart Association and a network of fellow CHD families.
Over the years, that mission has grown into something extraordinary: a $1 million endowment dedicated entirely to congenital heart defect research.
“I actually started crying when they told me,” St. John says. “I made that goal 25 years ago. I had no idea we would ever reach it.”
Her determination and a vast community of supporters fueled the journey. Drawing from decades in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, St. John built a network of more than 9,000 contacts, many of whom contributed to the cause.
“If you know me, you’ve probably donated,” she says.
Beyond fundraising, St. John has helped foster connections among CHD families by organizing awareness efforts, participating in heart walks and even collaborating on quilts honoring children affected by congenital heart defects — powerful visual reminders of both loss and resilience.
The impact of these efforts is measurable. In the decades since Madelynn’s passing, survival rates for children undergoing
heart surgery have dramatically improved, effectively reversing the statistics that once felt insurmountable.
For St. John, however, the numbers tell only part of the story. “I’ve had a missing part of my own heart for 25 years,” she says. “But I feel like I’ve honored her memory.”
Today, her advocacy continues to push forward, driven by a simple but profound hope: that more children will live full, happy lives and that fewer families will have to endure the heartbreak she knows so well.
“I am so grateful,” she says. “I know my sweet Madelynn is proud of her momma.”
And through every dollar raised, every story shared and every life impacted, Madelynn’s legacy continues to live on, stronger than ever.
