Street Savvy: Downtown Fishers
Watch
The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater hosts a range of events, including rock concerts (starting May 2) and the Fishers Farmers Market. In April and May, it also stages the closest thing in these parts to a drive-in theater: Movies in the Park. Films begin at dusk, so bring a blanket and get there early for a choice spot. The series kicks off with Maleficent on April 17. 6 Municipal Dr., 317-595-3150
Eat
I Love Sushi combines authentic Japanese ingredients in ways that would give traditionalists fits. The eatery offers more than 65 cooked and raw rolls, with names ranging from the odd (Japanese Lasagna) to the not-entirely-appetizing (the Lucas Oil Roll). Try the Fishers Roll, stuffed with shrimp tempura, crab, cucumber, and salmon and baked with mayo sauce. 8603 E. 116th St., 317-570-6620, ilovesushiindy.com
Calm down
The gang at Source Yoga Center stretches its class lineup to cover a lot of bases. But if you really want authenticity, partake in the $5 session with a Buddhist meditation group every Tuesday evening. 8609 E. 116th St., 317-915-9642, sourceyoga.net
Peace Garden
Nourish
Besides bodywork classes and counseling, North Star Health Center serves up a huge array of medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements. If you need a moment of Zen, take a walk through the store’s patch of medicinal plants, called the Peace Garden, behind the building. 8619 E. 116th St., 317-841-7345, northstar4health.com
Grub
Housed in an 1880s-era building, the neighborhood hangout, Nickel Plate Bar & Grill, encompasses both a full-service bar and a complete dining menu. You can’t go wrong with the old-school tenderloin (available grilled or fried) or the peerless chicken fingers. 8654 E. 116th St., 317-841-2888, nickelplatebarandgrill.com
Order
Archer’s Meats and Catering, which opened in 1966, bills itself as the oldest business in downtown Fishers. Back in the day, the cows kept on the premises occasionally got loose and wandered the surrounding roadways. Now it’s mostly a high-class catering service, but it still processes deer for hunters. And a sign in the window proudly states that you can “Buy a side of beef [and] get half hog free.” 8655 E. 116th St., 317-849-1790, archerscatering.com
Outfit
The boys’ clothing shop Roman & Leo emphasizes hipster style (suspenders, classic-rock tees) over, say, firetrucks and superheroes. The tiny boutique is named after the owner’s two sons, who inspired her to develop her uncommon collection of trendy outfits. 8664 E. 116th St., romanandleo.com
Shop
Describing Vardagen as a T-shirt shop is like calling St. Elmo a steak joint: You won’t find a superior one in town. The company designs most of its men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing in-house. The kid shirts with bugs, dinosaurs, and animals are fun, as is the near-incomprehensible (but equally amusing) “Nothing’s hotter than an otter” tank for men. 8684 E. 116th St., shop.vardagen.com
“All this development is helping real estate in the area. Last summer, I sold a house (multiple offers, highest price in the neighborhood) in a couple of hours to someone from Oregon, sight unseen.” —Laura Musall, Fishers Realtor
Chill
Sidle up to the window at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt for a scoop or two. Then take your waffle cone of Snappy Turtle or Graham Central Station to the benches and tables next to the building. This oasis puts welcome distance between you, your treat, and the busy street. 8760 E. 116th St., 317-585-8065, handelsicecream.com
Roman & Leo
Browse
Don’t confuse Roman & Leo (No. 7) with Thelma and Theo, another cool boutique for little ones. This boys’ and girls’ shop was founded by Fishers-based kids photographer Hannah Hilliard. If you love how your daughter rocks that One Posh Kid “Mason” swing dress, Hilliard will happily arrange a photo shoot. 11523 Lantern Rd., thelmaandtheo.com
Strum
Reno’s Music corners the Fishers market for high-end acoustic instruments. The family-owned operation stocks lots of fancy guitars and a complete selection of premium ukuleles. But bring your checkbook: A top-shelf ukulele will set you back more than two grand. 11680 Commercial Dr., 317-849-5744, guitarhotline.com
