Street Savvy: Mass Ave’s East End
Shop
Continuing the recent menswear takeover of Indy’s boutique scene, Righno christened a new retail block when it opened in November. The shop sells sleek, urban separates from the U.K., Australian shoes, and clean-lined, boxy backpacks. 1103 N. College Ave., 317-796-4704
Carry Out
You can now enjoy Regina Mehallick’s famous sticky toffee pudding at home—if you don’t eat it in the car first. The chef’s new venture, R2GO, is the perfect yin to fancy R Bistro’s yang. Stop by the market for Mehallick’s signature dessert along with deli meats and cheeses, soup stocks, pasta, and entrees. 1101 N. College Ave., 317-737-2543
Peruse
Lit nerds, rejoice! Indy Reads has put together an impressive collection of stories and poems by Indiana authors, now sold at its eponymous bookstore. The 400-page hardback, called Indy Writes Books, explores “a golden age of writing in Indiana,” according to editor M. Travis DiNicola, and contains more than 50 pieces by living legends (John Green, Dan Wakefield) and emerging scribes alike. 911 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1496
Gaze
Mass Ave is no stranger to Indy’s surge in street art (thanks, Super Bowl XLVI!). Local graffiti dream team Sacred317 and 6Cents, a.k.a. FAB Crew, extended the movement with a colorful mural on the Indianapolis Stage building, depicting local emcee DJ Topspeed and a stylized woman who appears to be enjoying his grooves. Pattern magazine commissioned the artwork to coincide with last fall’s music issue. 905 Massachusetts Ave.
Devour
Mimi Blue Meatballs, a tribute to co-owner Michael Kosene’s grandmother (whose name is pronounced may-may), this month debuted a simple concept: Choose a bread or a carbtastic comfort-food base—like mac ’n’ cheese, spaghetti, or mashed potatoes—and top it with your choice of sauce and meatball (such as beef, turkey, or veggie). The end result is served on china. Save room for a root-beer float. 870 Massachusetts Ave., 317-507-7051
Vogue
Local fashion empire Pattern just added another tool to help you look darn good: a free, seasonal mini lookbook featuring styles straight off the racks of the Pattern Store. The first one is available now. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-833-7462
“I bought an ‘Indy heart’ T-shirt at Homespun for my niece in California. When I see pictures of her on the beach wearing this shirt, my heart grows three sizes.” —Suzanne Krowiak, local slow-food pioneer
Make
Homespun: Modern Handmade’s new shop is twice as big as its former location in Irvington, which means that in addition to selling the coolest crafted wearables and trinkets in town, Homespun has space for classes. Food-preservation and urban-homesteading sessions are in the works. 869 Massachusetts Ave., 317-351-028
Nourish
Need help sticking to your New Year’s resolution? Natural Born Juicers has plenty of green-and-leafy or fresh-and-fruity selections to restore your glow through the dead of winter. The menu also features seasonal hot cacao and warm turmeric drinks. 865 Massachusetts Ave., 317-797-4254
Mystify
Mass Ave feels magical every day, but just wait until IndyFringe presents the Indianapolis Winter Magic Festival January 22–25, featuring performers who will eventually compete in the 2015 World Championship of Magic. Despite some pretty treacherous weather, last year’s festival sold out. 719 E. St. Clair St., 317-869-6660
Live
A two-bedroom at Circa Apartments starts at $1,650 and includes access to some unusual amenities, including a courtyard pool and an “urban workshop” where residents can tinker with DIY projects. They don’t have to look far for inspiration. The whole place is eye candy, from pop-art–colored lobbies to the “inside out” mailroom (pictured) to lofts infused with the building’s salvage. 617 N. College Ave., 317-672-7900
Toast
Owned by Ted Miller of Brugge Brasserie fame, Outliers Brewing Company celebrates its one-year anniversary on January 16 by releasing a “very special sour beer” and hosting a shindig at its tasting room. If construction isn’t yet underway on the brewery’s restaurant component, dubbed The Owner’s Wife and featuring Recess’s Greg Hardesty as the consulting chef, it should be soon. 534 E. North St., 317-919-9842
Nibble
Candymaker Carrie Abbott specializes in nostalgic varieties—hence the name of her business, Newfangled Confections. Her signature praline, Frittle, might have some competition in Abbott’s new cube-shaped gumdrops. Walk-ins are welcome at her North Street candy kitchen, but hours vary. Show up at the right time and you might experience ooey-gooey Frittle fresh from the oven. 613 E. North St., 317-721-5525
