Tipton Magazine May 2024

Pawpular Pets

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU:

• 24-Hour storm damage repair

• Roofing repair and installation

• Siding repair and installation

• Gutter repair and installation

• Window and door installation

• Remodels

BENTLEY & BUDDY GUNNER HANK MARCO & POLO

MAX PRESLEY SIR ROCKY SKIPPY

SOPHIE SPENCER & OPIE

TILLER, TAZ, TUCKER & CALLIE TYLER

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Gift Cards, Frappes, Lattes, & of course Mamaw's Cupcakes & Black Magic Cookies.

The Empty Vase

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In the heart of Tipton lies The Shack, formerly Pizza Shack by the Tracks. The Shack reopened on April 4 after closing due to the previous owner retiring, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant has been in Tipton for over 30 years and is the place to be when dining in Tipton.

The grand reopening was a smashing success with record numbers - numbers which were broken again on the first Saturday after the reopening.

“The response to The Shack coming back to life in Tipton has been amazing,” says Brett Morrow, part owner. “The numbers we are seeing have greatly exceeded our expectations.”

The Shack is currently owned by Morrow and his partner, Jama Fernung. Morrow handles the business and real estate part of the restaurant, and Fernung runs the day-to-day operation of the kitchen and

dining room along with General Manager Mike Jackson, who also worked for the prior owner. Everyone in Tipton knows Jackson from his days running Pizza Shack. He was also an integral part of renovating the building housing The Shack. Jackson is a key part of the management team and plays an active role in the reopening of The Shack. He brings with him the knowledge of everything locals loved about Pizza Shack.

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The abilities of these locally based individuals serve to form a solid team. Fernung also owns DeLullo’s Trattoria in Cicero. Morrow owns two other restaurants, 10 West and Bien Mexicana in Cicero. Bien Mexicana is also owned by his partner, Angela Garcia.

The Shack was typically the place to go for the best pizza in the area, and now offers the amenities of a full-service restaurant. The setting is modern industrial, offering the same menu items centered around the famous Shack pizza, and customers can now enjoy a full-service menu and bar. The atmosphere Morrow and Fernung are trying to achieve is a relaxing place to have dinner on the main floor, and patrons can move upstairs to the Loft to just hang out and watch a game on one of the big screens.

“The place needed a complete remake and had not been renovated or changed since 1984,” Morrow says. He and Fernung are striving to keep the consistency between

the old Shack and the new Shack. With such a huge local following, they wanted the restaurant to have some familiarity with the past.

The menu has been upgraded with a much wider offering to include steaks, fish, chicken, handhelds, and a variety of appetizers and side dishes. While pizza was the mainstay of The Shack, Morrow and Fernung wanted to bring a finer dining experience to Tipton. The Shack also offers a fully stocked bar. Pizza delivery and full menu for takeout will be available around the first of May.

“We understand people want takeout, but during construction the kitchen becomes stressed and this could impact service,” Morrow says. “We would rather take a little extra time to ensure all the processes and procedures are such that we can deliver a product customers want, and that we can be proud of.”

Morrow is already making plans to open his third and final restaurant in Cicero. This venue will be a bourbon and cigar bar, which will be located at the same intersection as 10 West. Since local businesses close relatively early in Cicero, Morrow believes the bourbon and cigar bar will be an excellent complement to 10 West. He hopes it will be a place diners can go after dinner to have a bourbon, cigar or dessert. Construction on this new venue is scheduled to occur some time over the summer. An opening date is yet to be announced.

The Shack is open six days per week, offering lunch and dinner. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through the OpenTable app.

Visit The Shack at 311 East Jefferson Street in Tipton. For more info, go to theshacktipton.com.

COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY

MEET SUCCESSFUL ARTIST AND TIPTON NATIVE JEFF STAPLETON

Writer / TK Mullins Photography Provided

Jeff Stapleton grew up in the close-knit community of Tipton, which was akin to being part of an extended family, where everyone knew each other’s names and stories. Tipton thrived on its small-town charm, boasting a vibrant downtown area adorned with the majestic Romanesque courthouse at its heart. Many Tipton residents have either lived in the area their entire lives or have family members who have farmed this rich Indiana landscape for generations. Tipton County residents are proud of her bountiful history of agriculture, railroads and manufacturing, and it continues to grow and evolve.

From an early age, Stapleton found solace and inspiration in the arts. Under the tutelage of Ruth Ross, a revered art mentor and local painter, and the nurturing embrace of the Tipton County Art Association, he embarked on a journey of creative exploration. These early influences instilled in Stapleton a deep appreciation for the power of artistic expression and the importance of community support. Throughout his schooling, he seized every opportunity to showcase his talents. He and Tipton alum Kyle Grayson left their mark on the walls of Tipton High School with the

iconic Blue Devil mural.

With a major in advertising and illustration from the Columbus College of Art and Design, Stapleton moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he embarked on a professional journey that would shape his career. His tenure at a small, creative art studio provided invaluable experiences, working on projects for esteemed brands like Mead, Michelob, Procter & Gamble, and Kenner. Eventually he found himself at the helm of Graphica, a leading design firm, where he served as president and owner for three decades. It was here that he honed his skills in brand building, communication and storytelling, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies to solve complex problems through innovative design solutions.

After selling the firm, he began working as a brand consultant, graphic designer and, finally, a fine artist. His home studio is a sanctuary where the scent of oil paint, glue, sawdust, and markers satisfy his insatiable appetite for art supplies. Some days the space is hushed, allowing for quiet creations of digital files, while on others it reverberates with the eclectic mix of TV, podcasts and streaming services piping

through his headphones. With two thriving adult kids and a supportive wife, Sherry Stapleton, his life is a balance of family, creativity, and a desire to bring ideas to life.

Much of Stapleton’s life and career can be traced back to those humble beginnings with the people in Tipton who would guide his creative thinking, support his efforts by hanging his early art in their homes, and always showing their support to him. Today the support for the arts continues with several people in Tipton working to support future creative minds. People within the city of Tipton and various business owners are working to create a new structure to include and embrace a wider form of the arts, in the schools and through community events. Through his work, Stapleton has been able to offer insight and advice to help keep what was influential to him alive for others to build upon.

“In the immersive process of creating, I find myself in the ‘flow,’ resulting in artwork that often reveals embedded images or meanings I had not consciously intended,” Stapleton says. “Storytelling can be a blend of intention and happenstance. My sometime studio companions, Fiona and Lola, two

feline ladies with a judgmental attitude, demand attention at the most unexpected moments and add a touch of entertainment to my creative haven.”

He continues to innovate and create unique art from his studio just outside of Dayton, surrounded by a 264-acre nature preserve. According to Stapleton, his home-based studio is the perfect setting for fueling his creative energy. He is committed to sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise in brand consulting and design services. As an artist, he continues to push the boundaries of his artistic expression. He has a vision for reviving the art and culture in the Tipton area. He hopes to inspire others to pursue their creative interests in not just art, but any endeavor that leads to the cultural growth of the area.

To learn more about Stapleton and his story, be sure to visit jeffastapleton. com. Also visit his Instagram page @ jeffreyastapleton.