Street Savvy: Irvington

[1] Shop

Inside ReTULLEd, a special-occasion shop featuring bridal consignment, owner Amy Lee Bonham stocks oodles of excellently priced and often never-worn gowns, along with frocks in enough colors and lengths to please any army of bridesmaids. Nestled between an antiques shop and a florist, and with the addition of tux rentals, it’s no wonder this and other nuptial-minded businesses in the area banded together to form the Irvington Wedding Collective. 5607 E. Washington St., 358-8802, retulled.com.

[2] Dig

What happens when a vinyl junkie falls for a vintage dealer? Irvington Vintage. Rick Wilkerson of bygone Missing Link Records and his fiancee, Karen LeVier, a former Midland Arts & Antiques vendor, opened this side-street shop that appeals to nerds of all disciplines with a tight selection of eclectic records, midcentury modern furniture, and retro wares. 130 S. Audubon Rd., 352-1967, irvingtonvintage.com.

[3] Craft

Busy bees Neal Taflinger and Amanda Mauer-Taflinger recently opened Homespun Gallery and Workshop. A spinoff of their popular Irvington boutique, the new spot offers classes on topics like hula hoop–making and how to brand a small business. 206 S. Audubon Rd., 446-5535, homespunindy.com.

[4] Stroll

Phase I of Irvington Streetscape, an eight-year endeavor, was completed this year, adding improved walkability, park benches, greenery, and streetlamps. Washington Street between Bolton and Irvington avenues.

» IN THE KNOW: Aaron Scamihorn
Artist, screenprinter, and familiar face around Irvington’s Lodge Design

What’s the last thing you ate in Irvington? At Jockamo, we get this Thai chicken pizza, with peanut sauce instead of normal marinara. Out of control.
What visually inspires you there? The Masonic Lodge building. I love its beautiful wood floors and architectural details.
You live near Butler. Why do you spend so much time in Irvington? There’s a saying: You have your work, you have your home, and you have your third place. I consider Irvington my third place.

[5] Chat

A few years back, husband-and-wife Malakai Sausaman and Melissa McMillin sold all their earthly belongings and backpacked across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. The wandering duo has returned—with goodies. Their teeny shop, Khao San Road, is named after a marketplace in central Bangkok. Stop in for treasures of the international variety. 6 S. Johnson Ave., 900-9589, facebook.com/khaosanroadindy.

[6] Sip

On any given evening, Black Acre Brewing offers 13 different “guest” brews on tap and has recently expanded its own lineup. Teetotaling? Try craft root beer instead. Goose the Market provides nibbles. 5632 E. Washington St., 207-6266, blackacrebrewing.com.

[7] Learn

Next month marks the third anniversary of the Irvington Green Hour, a casual gabfest about all things eco-friendly. The conversation-sparking social event—which has featured Mayor Ballard and Melina Kennedy—is held every third Tuesday at The Legend Classic Irvington Cafe. 5614 E. Washington St., 260-0669, irvingtondevelopment.org/green-initiative.

Aaron Scamhorn photo by Chris Whonsetler; other photos by Tony Valainis.

This article appeared in the November 2012 issue.

>> GET EVEN MORE STREET SAVVY

October 2012 — Fishers
September 2012 — 54th and the Monon
August 2012 — Fountain Square
July 2012 — 600 E. Carmel Drive
June 2012 — Washington Street
May 2012 — Carmel City Center
April 2012 — East 10th Street
March 2012 — The New Mass Ave