Westfield Magazine February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

MAGAZINE

BEN’S BBQ SHACK WESTFIELD-BASED BARBECUE CONCEPT IS REALLY COOKING

LOCAL LOVE

Supporting Area Restaurants Is More Important Now Than Ever

VIEWPOINT ROASTERS

Local Company Produces Whole Bean Coffee on Demand

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Local Love: Supporting Area Restaurants Is More Important Now Than Ever

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Student Spotlight: Mia Blackwell, Westfield Intermediate Student Is On a Mission

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The Choo Choo Cafe: It’s All Aboard for Flavor at Atlanta-Based Eatery

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Cicero Caramel Company: Local Law Enforcement Officer Has a Taste for the Caramel Biz

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Tourism Spotlight: Check Out These New Restaurants In Hamilton County

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What You Need to Know about Diabetes and your Heart

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RiverBed WoodWorking: Father-Son Duo Operate Cicero-Based Company

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Northern Hamilton County Chamber Spotlight: Come Grow With Us

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Ben’s BBQ Shack: Westfield-Based Barbecue Concept is Really Cooking

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LOCAL LOVE

SUPPORTING AREA RESTAURANTS IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

Bru Burger

Aspen Creek

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but those who make their living in the restaurant industry have been hit especially hard during the pandemic. In the spring of 2020, area restaurants were forced to shutter for months and owners had to temporarily lay off staff. Adson Franco, owner of Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano, recalls that moment as the hardest day of his life.

“We are like family here,” Franco says.

That’s why his happiest day was the day he got to call everyone back to work.

When they reopened in May, the outlook

was tenuous as life still felt so uncertain.

“We didn’t know which way this was going to go - whether we would be busy or not,” Franco says.

Hiring back his entire staff was a chance he was willing to take since he knew they were struggling financially.

“Servers make just $2.13 an hour, so pretty

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Grindstone Public House

Livery

much all of their revenue comes from tips,” Franco says.

revenue - anywhere from 25% to 40%.

Not only were restaurant owners happy to reopen their doors, but customers were also eager to walk through them again. After weeks of home-cooked meals, many patrons were delighted to enjoy a dining experience outside of their home. Customers were welcomed with open arms, grateful hearts and a promise to do everything possible to keep them safe. This included following the CDC as well as state and local guidelines, such as adding hand sanitizing stations and touchless soap dispensers, sanitizing booths and tables, and rearranging dining rooms to accommodate for proper social distancing.

Leaders at many spots like Matteo’s also began requiring reservations to ensure better control of customer flow in dining areas. Many restaurants have suspended water service and no longer keep silverware or menus at tables.

“That’s a big bite out of our profits, so it’s helpful if customers can come in and pick up the food themselves,” Franco says.

Kent McNall, owner of Pasto Italiano, notes that if a customer places a $100 carry-out order with an app-based service, he only gets 70% of it.

“It’s best for customers to call and pick up the food themselves,” McNall says. “Not only does the money go straight to the restaurant rather than a third-party vendor, but also the food is fresh.”

Many restaurants, like Jan’s Village Pizza, offer contactless delivery.

“Whether you call the pizza shop, order online, or order through our app, all of our menu items are available for delivery,” Kercheval says.

“Since March, we’ve had to be creative in ways we didn’t think we ever would,” says Kim Kercheval, owner of Jan’s Village Pizza.

Some elderly and immunocompromised patrons still want to partake in yummy food, but are reluctant to dine in. Therefore, many restaurants have stepped up their game when it comes to online ordering and delivery services. Restaurant owners appreciate customers who utilize these services directly rather than app-based delivery services, because what many people may not realize is that such app-based services take a portion of each restaurant’s

Convenient curbside delivery enables customers to place an order, park outside the establishment, pop their trunk, and have staff members place the food there.

Kercheval is delighted to see her customers, even if just briefly when they pop in to pick up a carry-out order.

Michaelangelos

“Those gift cards help us in the shortterm get through this rough patch until the vaccine is widely distributed,” says Blake Fogelsong, owner and director of operations for Clancy’s Inc., which operates Grindstone Public House, Grindstone on the Monon and Michaelangelo’s Italian Bistro. “Every little bit helps.”

Fogelsong notes that his company sold about $40,000 in gift cards over the holiday season.

Franco saw an uptick in the purchase of gift cards as well, and many customers have told him they won’t use them until things are back to normal.

“When you buy gift cards, you are also helping to support a small business,” Kercheval says.

“Buying gift cards lets us know that we are a favorite to so many people.”

Gift cards helped restaurants remain buoyant during a holiday season that took a huge hit. Franco reports that he lost 70% of private-event business in December compared to the prior year.

“When you order carry-out, it gives us an opportunity to safely interact with our amazing customers,” Kercheval says.

“Whether you come inside to pick up or we bring it out curbside, we love seeing you.”

“It was definitely not the December we are used to,” Franco says. “If the vaccine rollout goes smoothly, however, community members may be itching to get back out there to enjoy their favorite eateries. We hope so. I just want to thank our customers for their support. Without them, we would not have made it so far.”

Purchasing gift cards is another way to show your love for local establishments.

Fogelsong also wishes to acknowledge his company’s loyal patrons who helped them

4 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2021 / WestfieldMag.com

Matteos

Nesst

Stone Creek

endure a rough 2020.

“Thank you for supporting all of the restaurants in Hamilton County,” Fogelsong says. “We look forward to having a better 2021.”

Kercheval is also thankful.

“The entire crew at Village Pizza would like to thank the community for all the support during this unpredictable time,” Kercheval says. “We thank you for staying loyal. Without you, we’re just dough.”

PROUDLY USING PPG PAINTS AND STAINS

McNall, who is proud of the dining atmosphere at Pasta Italiano, looks forward to the day when he can add back tables that had to be removed for distancing.

“We have a nice, casual fine-dining experience, with dark tablecloths and cloth napkins,” McNall says. “We have instrumental jazz on Wednesdays and a piano player on Fridays to create an intimate atmosphere.”

Considering the difficult year we endured, we could all use an extra dose of positivity, so if you have a great experience at one of your local restaurants, share a comment, photo or video on the social media pages you are engaged with, and tag the restaurant. If you happen to have a negative experience, contact the management directly so that they may address it and do their best to remedy the situation.

We humbly thank all local restaurants for keeping our tummies happy and our hearts full. We support and appreciate you.

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MIA BLACKWELL

WESTFIELD INTERMEDIATE STUDENT IS ON A MISSION

Writer / Peyton Gigante Photography Provided

$55 value in laundry soap and body wash.

kitchen for three to four weeks.

How many sixth-grade students do you know who want to help end world hunger and provide for their community?

After watching an informational video in her language arts class about world hunger, Blackwell decided to do something to contribute to those in need of resources.

“We made sugar, chocolate, oatmeal spice, snickerdoodle, and chocolate crinkle cookies,” Blackwell says, adding that her favorites are chocolate crinkle and snickerdoodle.

For Westfield Intermediate School student Mia Blackwell, it was something she felt she needed to do.

Her mission included baking 504 cookies for the Dotted Line Divas pantry, which ultimately provided $481 in proceeds and a

“I decided to do it because I had to do something,” says Blackwell, an 11-year-old Westfield native. “I don’t like sitting around knowing that’s happening.”

Together with her mother Carma, this unstoppable duo baked away in their home

Priced at $7 per dozen and $4 per half dozen, Blackwell sold five different kinds of cookies to 24 people.

To market her bake sale, she wrote a letter stating what she was doing and why it was

WestfieldMag.com / FEBRUARY 2021 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / 7

“We were very careful about how much we were doing without hands and cleaning the kitchen a bunch.”

Though she spent a lot of time in the kitchen throughout the last few months, baking is not the only activity Blackwell enjoys.

“I play sports,” she says. “I play soccer and I’m going to try to play basketball.”

However, she does do a lot of baking.

“It’s not so much that I can’t leave the kitchen,” she says of her baking hobby.

Even so, her baking is inspiring, and the love that she poured into every one of her 504 cookies is something to be admired.

“I’ve learned that even though it doesn’t sound like you’re doing a bunch, in the end, you’re doing more than you can put into words,” Blackwell says. important. Then it was emailed and texted to friends and family, and eventually the event details were spread by word of mouth.

“We delivered them directly to people’s houses, and even mailed some,” Blackwell says.

The staff members at Dotted Line Divas do extreme couponing to help those in need of

everyday hygiene and personal care items.

This was not the first time Blackwell has donated to the organization. Three years prior, she donated her allowance to buy a bag of items for a homeless man.

“We did a ton of hand washing, and made sure we wore our masks the entire time we were preparing and cooking,” Carma says.

In a time when positivity is in short supply, acts of kindness like the Blackwells’ bake sale are helping to provide for local families - especially during these winter months.

“I hope my bake sale inspires people,” Blackwell says.

To learn more about the Dotted Line Divas nonprofit organization, you can visit their website at dottedlinedivas.org.

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NORTHERN

MAGAZINE

THE CHOO CHOO CAFE IT’S ALL ABOARD FOR FLAVOR AT ATLANTA-BASED EATERY

Co-Owner Liz Nelson

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Jason Graves

L

iz Nelson, co-owner of the Choo Choo Cafe in Atlanta, Indiana, says her restaurant started because people were looking for a place to eat near another business she co-owns - the popular MrMuffin’sTrains.

“My husband Steve Nelson, who is also known as Mr. Muffin, and I officially got started on the Choo Choo Cafe because we had so many people who wanted some food here in Atlanta after looking at all the trains,” Liz Nelson says. “As I like to say, the number-one question we got after, ‘Are you people crazy?’ was, ‘Is there any place in town to eat?’”

Nelson says MrMuffin’sTrains has a fairly large, operating O-Gauge twin-train layout, and a model train collection that is open to the public. They also sell model trains.

“When we purchased our nearby cafe building at the location of the former Fletcher’s restaurant, the building had been vacant for over 10 years,” Nelson says. “The kitchen was an add-on to the building that was put in some time in the building’s history.

It was in terrible condition, so we tore it down and built a new kitchen. We renovated the original building ourselves, and the dining room now seats about 40 people.”

The Nelsons received assistance from local residents and others to get the cafe, which was officially renovated in 2018, off the ground.

“We were very fortunate with response to our crowdfunding campaign to help with the cost of the restaurant’s addition, and restaurant equipment,” Nelson says.

The Choo Choo Cafe has garnered a large following. “‘The Choo,’ or ‘The Chew,’ as it’s nicknamed, is special as an unexpected cafe,” Nelson says. “Our feedback is often people telling us they are surprised at the quality of food in such a small-town diner.

We also have a bakery, and we bake to order.

We also have our bakery staples.”

Nelson says the deserts and sandwiches are very popular.

“We are becoming known for our cheesecake, including having a cheesecake wedding cake, and for ‘bruffins,’ a pullapart muffin filled with cinnamon and pecans, with a pecan streusel topping and a maple glaze,” Nelson says. “Our tenderloin sandwich is also popular.”

Nelson says community support has been terrific.

FEBRUARY 2021

“We have become a destination for many from our northern towns,” she says. “Our dinner business is gaining more and more followers looking for our next red-plate special.”

Nelson adds that the cafe has so far weathered the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we reopened in late 2020, we closed

due to the pandemic and we looked for someone to come in and operate the restaurant for us,” she says. “We hired Lilly Roberts and Jeremiah Jones, who are doing an excellent job of running the Choo Choo Cafe, and providing great food and service to all our customers.”

Nelson says regulars at the cafe already have their favorites.

“I would say our favorite menu item is the Atlanta Sampler,” Nelson says. “The Sampler is a breakfast for the hearty appetite, or enough to share. It’s two eggs your way, with bacon, sausage, hashbrown casserole, a roasted Parmesan tomato, a half order of biscuits and gravy, silver-dollar pancakes and baked cinnamon apples. The second most popular would be our cheeseburger, or any of our desserts.”

AUTO CARE FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS

Roll in to the Choo Choo Cafe at 185 West Main Street in Atlanta, Indiana. Call them at 765-292-2088, or check out their website at thechoochoocafe.com.

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Owner Brian Niec

outside of his own immediate circle would be interested in his product.

“Fox 59 called then, and Lindy Thackston did a story on me,” Niec says. “It just organically blew up into a business, when I had no intention of making it a business whatsoever.”

Niec describes the process of making his caramel flavors as a science rather than an art.

“Once I figured out a recipe that I could make my own, I started thinking about how I could challenge it and make it different,” he says. “You can go anywhere and get caramel, but you can’t go anywhere and get Chocolate Flaked Java caramel or a German Chocolate caramel. That’s kind of how I tried to differentiate myself. The biggest thing that makes us different is the artisan flavors.”

CICERO CARAMEL COMPANY

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS A TASTE FOR THE CARAMEL BIZ Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Jason Graves

Cicero Caramel Company arose out of Owner Brian Niec’s casual interest in finding a creative outlet to enjoy when not serving the community as a 17-year veteran law enforcement officer.

“It was almost a complete fluke,” Niec says. “In 2018 my son had just been born, and I was trying to think of something to do that was not law enforcement related whatsoever. I’ve always been kind of a kitchen person and a baker, and I come from a family of bakers.”

Niec began tinkering with caramel recipes and presented a batch to the owners of Cicero Coffee Company, with whom he is friends.

“They told me that I should sell it at their coffee shop,” Niec recalls. “I was surprised but they were ready to do it. After that, on a whim, I made the Cicero Caramel Company Facebook page thinking it would be for family and friends.”

After returning to his job when his baby leave ended, Niec made a few more caramel batches made a post about it on his Facebook page, which was quickly shared more than 280 times. He was pleasantly surprised, and began to realize that people FEBRUARY 2021

Niec also built his concept around offering large quantities, for those interested in taking unique caramel flavors to a party or family gathering. He offers approximately 15 to 20 flavors through the official Cicero Caramel Company website at any given time, including Triple Chocolate Pretzel, Milk Chocolate Peanut Caramel, Pecan, Caramel Punkin Spice Roll and more.

Orders are available to be shipped, or for delivery in most parts of Hamilton County.

“I can arrange a pickup spot with you if you email me as well,” Niec adds. “We try to do things people want and will be excited about. People like Butterfinger candy bars, so we’re going to be doing a caramel with Butterfinger, and we do things like a caramel popcorn in July as a special.”

Niec is able to make vegan versions of any flavor on his menu.

“The Delectable, which is the milk chocolate pretzel, is probably my most well-known flavor,” he adds. “The Chocolate Flaked Java is up there too as one of my most popular, and even people who don’t like coffee go for that one. I also do a Double Decker, which is basically like an inside-out Twix bar.”

As far as Niec’s own favorite flavor, he gravitates toward his caramel popcorn

almost as long as he can remember.

“In second grade when you fill out those questionnaire forms with your dog’s name and what you want to be when you get older, I put a police officer and just never changed my mind,” says Niec, who officially became a lieutenant with the Hamilton County Sheriff ’s Office in December.

and the Chocolate Pretzel flavor - but he’s quick to add that he usually stays away from enjoying his own creations too much.

“I put the Butterfinger caramel in Christmas tins this year and everybody really liked it,” he says. “It’s always the plan to come up with ways to challenge myself and figure out “I honestly don’t eat a lot of it, because that what the clients want. Usually somebody opens up Pandora’s box,” he says with a laugh. will say, ‘Can you do this flavor, because I’d love to try it and would buy it,’ and that’s Niec also plans to add an M&M flavor, what I try to do next.” and make his Butterfinger caramel a more regular offering.

Originally from Columbia City, Indiana, Niec had a desire to work in law enforcement

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, Niec moved to Hamilton County and has grown to appreciate the area ever since.

“Being able to serve the community here in law enforcement, and now doing the caramel business here and offering something to the community in that way, is great - I enjoy it here,” he says.

For more information on Cicero Caramel Company and to place an order, visit cicerocaramelco.com.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR GOLF CART JUST BECAUSE ITS COLD OUTSIDE!

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TOURISM SPOTLIGHT HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA

CHECK OUT THESE NEW RESTAURANTS IN HAMILTON COUNTY Amidst the challenges 2020 has brought the local restaurant community, Hamilton County’s food scene continues to grow.

Restaurants and cafés have quietly opened for business – and many to rave reviews.

Here is a list of noteworthy new businesses that opened during the COVID-19 pandemic that you may have missed.

meats the old-fashioned way on a smoker with aged hickory and cherry wood. Visit the charming black and white shack on State Road 32 in Westfield – but note that Ben’s BBQ Shack is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

DARK SIDE COFFEE HOUSE 110 W. Jackson St., Cicero Dark Side is a specialty coffee roaster based in Cicero with a new brick-and-mortar coffee shop. Owners Matt and Vanessa had their first date at a coffee shop (how sweet!) and began roasting at home before turning their hobby into a business.

THE NESST OF NOBLESVILLE 917 Conner St., Noblesville Noblesville’s newest eatery is The Nesst, a highend steakhouse with steaks and seafood. Or, take a global adventure and try international dishes like Greek moussaka, Austrian wiener schnitzel or cevapi from the Balkans.

Bica Café – Yelper Megan M.

BICA CAFÉ Ben’s BBQ Shack – Yelper Christopher C.

BEN’S BBQ SHACK 124 E. Main St., Westfield As Ben’s website says, “Good things come to those who wait.” Here, they barbecue

933 Conner St., Noblesville New to the Historic Noblesville Square is Bica Café, a European bakery and café specializing in Portuguese and Italian sweet and savory baked goods, lunch fare and small plates. Customers love the pastels de nata, a classic Portuguese egg tart.

FEBRUARY 2021

One Trick Pony – Yelper Niki B.

ONE TRICK PONY 9713 District N Dr., Fishers You might know Chef Neal Brown from his iconic local restaurants like Pizzology

Craft Pizza and Pub. His newest concept STACCO HOUSE BY inside Fishers Test Kitchen, One Trick Pony, MAMMAMIA focuses on hot, fresh, smashed burgers that 834 W. Main St., Carmel are diner style, made to order and pressed The owners of Mammamia Gelato in on a hot griddle.

Carmel have transformed the gelato shop into a larger concept store, featuring Italian REMNANT COFFEE SHOP foods and specialty items. Stacco House 101 W. Main St., Arcadia serves sandwiches, meatballs, lasagna, In 2019, the owners of Remnant pastries, breads, coffee, wine, olive oils, transformed the old Hedgehog Music Hall specialty meats, cheeses and more. building into a welcoming coffee shop on Main Street in Arcadia. In addition to coffee, TITUS BAKERY AND DELI Remnant Coffee Shop serves breakfast AT REYNOLD’S FARM sandwiches and bakery items. Plus, they EQUIPMENT give back: all tips go toward their current 1451 E. 276th St., Atlanta service project.

Known for its delectable donuts like the

Pershing, Titus Bakery and Deli opened its third central Indiana location inside Reynold’s Farm Equipment on US-31 in Atlanta in the space formerly occupied by Combine Café.

UNION JACK PUB WESTFIELD 110 S. Union St., Westfield This British pub has opened a second location in the former Grand Junction Brewing Co. space on Union Street. The Union Jack menu includes pub favorites like Fish & Chips, Double Decker BLT, Battalion Tenderloin Sandwich and Patty Melts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOT AND NEW RESTAURANTS IN HAMILTON COUNTY, GO TO VISITHAMILTONCOUNTY.COM AND FOLLOW US ON

DEAR NEIGHBORS Pasto Italiano Restaurant would like to say

to the local community for their support through these ever-changing times! Thanks to your patronage we have been able to maintain our locally-owned business. We look forward to continuing to serve our classic Italian dishes.

Come enjoy live music on Wednesdays and Fridays.

—Kent and Patsy McNall, OWNERS

FEBRUARY 2021

3150 East State Rd. 32 Westfield, IN 46074 (NW corner of SR32 and Carey Rd.) Sunday - Thursday: 4 PM - 9 PM Friday & Saturday: 4 PM - 9:30 PM DINE-IN AND CARRY OUT AVAILABLE

Call for Reservations 317-804-2051 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIABETES AND YOUR HEART is damaged blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. Along with high blood sugar, diabetics are also more likely to have other conditions that increase their risk for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and obesity.

Your primary care provider can perform a simple blood test to check your cholesterol and triglycerides.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT A healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to prevent your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Exercise helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol and control your weight. Try to aim for 30-minutes of exercise a day. To reduce your sugar and high-saturated fat consumption, make healthy swaps to add more veggies and complex grains into your diet. Lower alcohol consumption to prevent fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for American Adults suggest up to one standard drink for women and two drinks for men per day. One standard drink includes approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.

Dr. Ali Iqtidar, cardiologist at IU Health Saxony Hospital

According to the American Heart Association, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes. With heart disease being the leading cause of death for men and women, it’s important to understand how diabetes can increase your risk for heart disease.

EFFECTS ON HEART HEALTH While diabetes is treatable, a long-term effect of high blood sugar

Along with preventing your risk for diabetes and heart disease, an overall healthy lifestyle can also help treat and reduce the symptoms of diabetes and heart disease. Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains. Your primary care provider is the best person to talk to about treatment plans to get you healthy again.

RESOURCES Learning more about diabetes and heart health will help you avoid health complications down the line. Consult with your primary care provider, cardiologist or diabetes care specialist to get the support and solutions you need to prevent or manage your health conditions.

FEBRUARY 2021

Owners Chris and Tyler Stupp

RIVERBED WOODWORKING

FATHER-SON DUO OPERATE CICERO-BASED COMPANY Writer / Renee Larr Photographer / Amy Payne

A father-and-son duo has taken their passion for woodworking and turned it into a thriving business called RiverBed WoodWorking. Chris and Tyler Stupp of Cicero create custom wood tabletops from live-edge wood slabs.

The idea for the business came in the form of a Christmas gift for Chris.

“I grew up on the job site with my dad, so I’ve been around woodworking my entire life,” Tyler says. “I started seeing these tables other people were making so I decided to try and make one for my dad as a Christmas gift. I didn’t have a lot of tools so I used what I had. It took me about two months to make it in my garage. I gave it to him and he loved it.”

cabinets, and installs interior trim for newly constructed homes.

“We started considering the idea about three years ago but it really kicked off about two years ago,” Tyler says. “We can make staircases, beams, bookshelves, bars - really anything in woodworking.”

Adding live-edge slabs was a natural for the Chris suggested to Tyler that they needed to pair. start making tabletops and marketing them.

The pair now also builds countertops and “If you take a piece of wood and cut it FEBRUARY 2021

vertically instead of horizontally, it creates wavy edges where no part of the wood is straight,” Tyler says. “The log is cut into slabs and the entire slab is used, leaving the natural edge.”

The Stupps found a supplier of exotic wood in Central America, and became a licensed importer for exotic woods. They sell 12 different types of hard-to-find wood including purpleheart, monkeypod, gavilan, tigerwood, teak and more.

“Many of the other people who create tables like us don’t have access to the types of wood we can sell,” Tyler says. “The difference is these types of wood are much larger. Many other woodworkers can only get their hands on domestic trees like maple, walnut and hickory.”

name for a business can be difficult. They took inspiration from what they know.

“We started out making river tables, so we knew we wanted water to somehow be included in the name,” Tyler says. “To create a river in a wood tabletop, we take a full slab and cut it down the middle, then flip the ends around so the live edges are pointing towards each other in the middle of the table. That essentially creates a valley that we fill with resin and pigment. The water part came naturally. It took us a while to decide on RiverBed WoodWorking.”

Each piece is a one-of-a-kind, custom creation. The duo has found that buyers want to be involved in the design process.

“We like to get people out to the shop as much as possible so they can get a visual Monkeypod is often found in Hawaii. on the wood, because pictures don’t do it justice,” Tyler says. “They’re normally “We had someone call us who used to live in really surprised about what they see, and Hawaii and wanted to get his hands on some a lot happier we’re walking them through monkeypod,” Chris says. “We were able the process in person. We’re showing them to sell him the monkeypod that he missed the exact wood that we’ll be using to create from his time in Hawaii.” something beautiful for them.”

Chris and Tyler realized coming up with a

Buyers are required to put down a 50% FEBRUARY 2021

deposit to cover the cost of materials before the process starts. The time it takes to create each piece varies.

“Some people come in and buy a slab, and want a finish put on it,” Tyler says. “That would only take a few days. If someone wants a large tabletop, that’s going to take a week or two.”

They don’t just build furniture. They also sell slabs of exotic wood.

“We want to provide slabs for people who want to come here and take it home for their home project,” says Tyler, adding that he and Chris strive to make sure potential customers know the company is an importer for exotic wood. “We get a lot of other woodworkers and do-ityourselfers who are looking for different types of wood. They can just shop for wood here without us creating anything for them.”

TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE WHO DRIVE EUROPEAN CARS

The pair have worked together for many years, and have more than 30 years of combined experience designing, planning and building furniture, built-ins and liveedge designs.

“We do enjoy working together,” Chris says. “We’ll have our differences in opinion like anyone else, but we do enjoy the time together.”

RiverBed WoodWorking is currently open by appointment only. For more information, call 317-457-2567 or visit riverbedwoodworking.com.

OUR MISSION To preserve the performance, safety, reliability, and comfort that a car’s manufacturer originally intended, while fulfilling the owner’s need for information, convenience, and peace of mind.

317-773-0074 MON-FRI : 8AM-6PM 1362 SOUTH 10TH STREET NOBLESVILLE, IN 46060

FEBRUARY 2021

3-Year, 36,000 Mile Warranty Courtesy Cars Available 4.9 Rating on Google

NORTHERN HAMILTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 70 North Byron St. Cicero, IN 46034 (317) 984-4079

chamber@northernhamiltoncountychamber.com

Serving the communities of Arcadia, Aroma, Atlanta, Bakers Corner, Boxley, Cicero, Deming, Millersburg, Omega, Sheridan, Strawtown, and Walnut Grove.

WELCOME

The Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce our newest Chamber members. Please welcome them by visiting their website, sending an email, or stopping by to introduce yourself.

COME GROW WITH US

If you are looking for new ways to market your business, seeking out more local or industry-based connections, and grow, your greatest resource is right here in your own backyard. The Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce (NHCCC) offers opportunities to connect with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in the greater Northern Hamilton County area and beyond. The Chamber enhances economic prosperity throughout the community by significantly boosting the reputation and image of members’ businesses. Members of the Chamber play an important role in the future of the area and gain benefits from resources for businesses large and small. We invite you to join the Chamber and grow with us in the year ahead.

NEW!

The Town of Arcadia has rolled out a fresh new logo.

Arcadia has a total area of 0.6 square miles with a current population of over 1,500. It is home to Hamilton Heights School Corporation. Arcadia - Where Small Town America Still Exists!

Christ Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church Pastor Tim McClymonds 6070 N. 900 E. (Northwest corner of State Road 47 (Strawtown Rd) and County Road 900 E.) Sheridan, Indiana 46069 (479) 799-2227 www.facebook.com/CCOPC6070 www.cc-opc.org/

FEBRUARY

11

NHCCC Meeting HHSC and SCS Business Students The Remnant, Arcadia, IN 11:30 a.m.

Selective Intelligence Mike Harding, Owner 12400 N Meridian St, Ste 150 Carmel, IN 46032 317-937-6562 mike@selectiveintelligence.com www.selectiveintelligence.com/services www.linkedin.com/company/ selectiveintelligence/

MARCH

11

NHCCC Meeting CCH+A on Taxes and Insurance Sheridan Library, Sheridan, IN 11:30 a.m.

APRIL

18

NHCCC Meeting Swayzee Communications Corp.

Embassy Suites, Noblesville, IN 11:30 a.m.

Get involved with Cicero Kiwanis today.

Serving children of the greater Cicero community for more than 40 years. @CiceroKiwanis

Kids Need Kiwanis!

Cicero Kiwanis Needs You! FEBRUARY 2021

Calendar* *Scheduled in-person meetings may shift to virtual.

HARBOUR TREES

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Golf and Beach Club

Beach Club

On Morse Reservoir

Pool

Golf

Tennis

Events

For membership information, contact Justin Werkley at 317.877.3611 or justin.werkley@harbourtrees.com

SUPER BOWL PACK- $60 *1 Football Shaped Cheeseball

Nippy Beef or Bacon Cheddar Ranch

*3 Lbs Marinated Wings in Your Choice of Sauce Smokehouse BBQ, Lemon Pepper, or Buffalo

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atNoblesville.com / FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2021 /2021 NOBLESVILLE MAGAZINE / 27

Declare Your Love

EVERY PURCHASE AT SMITH’S IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HANDMADE PARCHMENT FOR YOU TO DECLARE YOUR LOVE.

THE LEGACY CONTINUES...

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(317) 773-338328 //NOBLESVILLE 98 N 9TH IN 46060 MAGAZINESTREET / FEBRUARY 2021/ / NOBLESVILLE, atNoblesville.com

Out with the old, in with the

LOW-MAINTENANCE RANCH HOMES FROM THE MID $200s

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19671 McDonald Place, Westfield, IN 46074 2 Bedrooms + Flex Room | 2 Bathrooms | 2,015 sq ft • Tree-Lined Homesite • Quartz Countertops and Subway Tile Backsplash in Kitchen

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19373 Sumrall Place, Westfield, IN 46074 | Model Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

317-659-3230 | osbornetrails.com Pursuant to the Fair Housing Act, this housing is intended for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older per home, although the occupants of a limited number of the homes may be younger. Within this limited number, one member of the household must be 45 years or older with no one in permanent residence under 19 years of age. Existing and proposed amenities for the community are subject to changes, substitutions and/or deletions without notice. Lennar makes no representation or guarantee that the community or any amenities will be built out as currently planned. Please see your New Home Consultant and home purchase agreement for actual features designated as an Everything’s Included feature, additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to your home and its features. Elevations of a home may vary and we reserve the right to substitute and /or modify design and materials, in our sole opinion and without notice. Please see your actual home purchase agreement for additional information, disclosures and disclaimers related to the home and its features. Stated dimensions and square footage are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Any statement, verbal or written, regarding “under air” or “finished area” or any other description or modifier of the square footage size of any home is a shorthand description of the manner in which the square footage was estimated and should not be construed to indicate certainty. Garage sizes may vary from home to home and may not accommodate all vehicles. Features, amenities, floor plans, elevations, square footage and designs vary per plan and community and are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Lennar makes no guarantee as to the availability of homes within the price ranges set forth above. Price subject to change without notice. Visit Lennar.com or see a Lennar New Home Consultant for further details and important legal disclaimers. This is not an offer in states where prior registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. This advertisement provided by Lennar Indianapolis located at 11555 N. Meridian Street, Suite 400, Carmel, IN 46032. Copyright © 2020 Lennar Corporation Lennar, the Lennar logo and the Everything’s Included logo are U.S. registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. Date: 01/2021 LNIND892

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE ENVIRONMENTS

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WestfieldMag.com / FEBRUARY 2021 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / 25

BEN’S BBQ SHACK

WESTFIELD-BASED BARBECUE CONCEPT IS REALLY COOKING

Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Kerch Creative

For a few hours every Friday and Saturday, barbecue fans flock to a tiny building on East Main Street in downtown Westfield.

Ben Hoffman, owner of Ben’s BBQ Shack, turned his longtime hobby into a business. It opened as a brick-and-mortar establishment last fall, and word has quickly spread that the takeout-only eatery offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience for lovers of smoked meat.

Owner Ben Hoffman

Originally from Kentucky with extended family in Arkansas, Hoffman comes from a long-standing tradition of barbecuing.

Early memories involve his dad, grandfather and great uncles laughing and debating the process while cooking together. One 26 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2021 / WestfieldMag.com

Thursday evening, and stays up all night to keep the wood fires burning. Up to 200 pounds of beef and pork slowly cook while he prepares homemade coleslaw and baked beans. After closing on Friday, he grabs a few hours of sleep and the process starts all over again for Saturday customers.

Currently three sandwiches are on the menu. The brisket and pulled pork “sammiches” come with pickles and onions on the side, and the pork belly “sammich” comes with jalapeño slices. The brisket is $18 per pound, and $10 for a half-pound.

The ribs are $14 per pound. Pulled pork is $14 per pound, and $8 for a half-pound.

of Hoffman’s recollections even involves pit-roasting a whole goat. As an adult, he became a media and advertising executive.

To relax, he began selling barbecue at small events, and even achieved recognition at competitions.

“Our barbecue is a blending of the best from Texas, Western Kentucky and Tennessee,” Hoffman says. “There is no charcoal, propane or electricity involved - just the most authentic way to smoke, using 100% wood. It’s not just the time on the smoker.

It’s important to trim the meat properly, season it, and know how long to let it rest.

It’s all about how much love you put in it.”

When Hoffman and his family moved to Westfield in 2011, he continued his interest in barbecue by occasionally selling from a trailer. He received permission to park in certain areas and eventually developed a relationship with Grand Junction Brewing Co. After COVID-19 hit, his job situation changed. Although he is still involved in the corporate world, he now works in a less demanding and more flexible role.

Hoffman plans to add a third smoker to his operation this winter to increase output.

“I had been eyeballing the building for five years, thinking it would be the perfect place for a walk-up, carry-out joint,” Hoffman says of his location. “This summer it became available and I was able to lease it. It used to be the office of a used car lot and I took everything down to the brick. I have my trailer parked outside with one smoker in it and the other beside it.”

Hoffman fires the smokers up every

“We sell out every day,” he says. “There is only so much real estate in two smokers.

Whatever we do in the future, we are always going to be an authentic, classic barbecue joint. I love doing this. Westfield has been awesome. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the community. We are out to make Westfield the barbecue center of Indiana.”

Ben’s BBQ Shack is located at 124 East Main Street in Westfield. Open Fri. noon to 3 p.m.; Sat. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more info and to order online, go to BensBBQShack.com.

WestfieldMag.com / FEBRUARY 2021 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / 27

Owners Adam and Liz Duvall

going to give it a shot. We’re going to just do some small batches. We’re going to let family know that we’re selling it, and see if anybody’s even interested.’ ” The named their business Viewpoint Roasters.

VIEWPOINT ROASTERS

LOCAL COMPANY PRODUCES WHOLE BEAN COFFEE ON DEMAND

“We are a coffee roasting business where we roast coffee on demand,” Adam says.

“We’re currently not in a storefront. We are producing whole bean coffee for customers.”

Once an order is received from a customer, Adam gets to work using the roaster in the Duvalls’ home.

“We have a roaster and we go through and roast the required amount,” he says. “Then we allow them to sit for the right amount of time before we hand them to the customer.

We bag and label the product and then work out delivery, whether it’s pick up or delivery for the customer.”

most of my twenties,” she says. “It turns out that it’s because I was drinking really bad coffee. [Adam] definitely has always had Coffee is a shared passion for the Duvalls. a passion for local coffee places and small Adam Duvall, one half of the husbandbusiness. He definitely turned me around in and-wife team that owns and operates realizing that it wasn’t that I don’t like coffee. Adam says he’s profiled each of Viewpoint Viewpoint Roasters, says he used to drink Roasters’ coffees to determine which It’s that I like good coffee.” his coffee with lots of cream and sugar until temperatures provide the best taste. It’s one he discovered there are ways to get a better of several variables that must be balanced in Adam, who Liz describes as “coffee snob,” flavor from the beans alone. He developed a had been roasting coffee beans for family order to provide customers with the quality passion for coffee and dreamed of having his and friends as a hobby. The Duvalls moved product they’re looking for. own roastery. to Westfield in April, which is when they “Beans can be roasted all different kinds of decided to act on an idea Liz says they had Liz Duvall says her husband helped her ways - all different temperatures and times,” been contemplating for a while - starting discover a taste for coffee.

Liz says. “It has a lot to do with the person their own coffee business. who’s roasting it. It can also depend on the “I was pretty sure that I didn’t like it for customer that we’re serving, because we “We finally said, ‘You know what? We’re Writer / Ryan Kennedy Photographer / Kelli White

28 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2021 / WestfieldMag.com

have some customers that maybe prefer a lighter roast, some a darker, some a French roast, and some maybe even like more of an espresso. That can factor into how long things can take, or what beans that we would then recommend to you to order from us.”

Viewpoint Roasters roasts everything fresh, and Adam says the process can take between two and four days for an order to be delivered, depending on how long the coffee needs to sit in order to achieve the best taste.

get about 80 to 90% of our beans from a company that’s here in Indiana. That’s really important to us too - that we’re a small Indiana business supporting another Indiana business.”

As small business owners, the Duvalls take pride in supporting other local businesses.

Their beans are sourced ethically, and much of them locally.

“We make a point to get our beans from wholesalers and things like that, that we know are treating the farmers who actually grow the beans well,” Liz says. “We know that they’re not ripping them off, just trying to get the cheapest prices there. We actually

Viewpoint Roasters currently does most of its sales online, though Liz says she hopes to continue to grow the business and serve the community on a larger scale.

with a larger-scale roaster,” she says.

She hopes to eventually operate as a supplier to local businesses.

“That would definitely be the big, big goal,” she says. “The dream, you know - walking into restaurants or coffee shops and seeing them sell our coffee there.”

For more info on Viewpoint Roasters, call 317-445-1369 and visit viewpoint-roasters.

“The goal is to get to the point where we’re operating out of a commercial-grade kitchen myshopify.com.

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WestfieldMag.com / FEBRUARY 2021 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / 29

Your local businesses need your support now more than ever.

Shop and dine local in the SR 32 East and Carey Road district this winter. Grab some carryout, purchase giftcards or visit safely in-person.

CAREY RD

To view other districts please visit westfieldwelcome.com

3 4

1

5 6

7 8 9

10

SR 32

SR 32

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

SHOP

EAT & DRINK 1

Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse

11

Red Habanero

13

2

Westfield Diner Pancake House & Grill

12

Carey Tavern Sports Bar & Grill

Marksman Shooting Sports

15

Jewelry Gallery

6

Taqueria Mexicana

14

Jack’s Donuts

19

Your CBD Store

7

Pasto Italiano Restaurant & Bar

16

Healthy Happies

8

Lincoln Square Pancake House

17

China Buffet

9

Pat A Cakes & Cookies Too

10

HotBox Pizza

30 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2021 / WestfieldMag.com

GUNTHER BLVD

CAREY RD

2

UNWIND 3

The Beauty Mark

4

V Nails

5

Westfield Family Karate

19 18

Westfield Nails

WestfieldMag.com / FEBRUARY 2021 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / 31

Get convenient access to Indiana’s top cardiologists.

If you’ve been told you’re at risk for heart disease, don’t wait to see the highly skilled heart experts at IU Health. From everyday heart care to the most complex procedures, we offer leading-edge medicine that’s personalized for you, so you can take control of your health.

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How do I keep it under control?”

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32 / WESTFIELD MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2021 / WestfieldMag.com ©2021 IUHealth