Street Savvy

“Westfield is still pretty homey and keeps its heritage. In the summer, we perform vignettes in the cemeteries about prominent figures interred there.”

Fabric store Crimson Tate is beloved for its whimsically patterned Indiana pillows and Harriet headbands. Find out what else we’re loving on downtown’s liveliest strip.

Once a mechanical engineer, Brian Newton swept aside the stress of the workaday world to make “splendidly imperfect” brooms at Broomcorn Johnny’s.

The new owner of girly-glam PillowTalk, one of the city’s only lingerie specialty stores, now hosts private bachelorette parties and bridal showers. The boutique’s closed blinds leave a message: “No peeking; we’re having a private party.”

This newly minted Indiana Cultural District builds on its reputation for cool design.

Dawson’s on Main has only been open for a few years, but it feels like an old town favorite.

At first whiff, you might think you’ve stumbled into a French bakery at Lilly’s Soap Kitchen (below). The handmade soaps here look like slabs of swirled pound cake and come in yummy scents.

From The Libertine to Recess and Oakleys to Bluebeard, Korean to Latin and sushi to steak, our critics choose the cream of Indy’s dining crop.

It’s not summer until you’ve been to Mrs. Curl Ice Cream Shop and Outdoor Cafe. The cash-only mom ’n’ pop has been a landmark for 51 years, with an oldies soundtrack, patriotic-colored tables, and “Curl Girls” handing out Teddy Graham–topped soft-serve cones. This month, try the “500” milkshake, with vanilla and chocolate sprinkles.

Kokomo Opalescent Glass opened in 1888 with Louis Comfort Tiffany as a client. On a five-buck factory tour, you’ll feel the heat from the original furnace, visit the master glass-blower’s studio, see where employees signed the walls more than 100 years ago, and shop for art glass.

[1] Cruise
The biking craze goes old school at National Moto+ Cycle Co., where owners Matty Bennett and Brendan Fox pay homage to Indy’s days of racing gone by with re-created vintage motorbikes, including an exclusive collection for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Accessories include aviator-style helmets and goggles. 5206 N. College Ave., 698-2418, nationalmoto.com.

[1] Lunch
The Sanctuary Cafe’s atmosphere could easily outshine its food: The 1894 church, complete with soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows, doubles as painter Nancy Noel’s gallery. Fortunately, the food is worthy of its surroundings. Try the mushroom-and-Brie bisque, or something from the menu of vegetarian and vegan options. 75 N. Main St., 733-9160, nanoel.com.

[1] Snack
With the warm comfort of an old-fashioned candy store, M.W. Wadsworth & Co. Fine Chocolates is full of indulgent treats shipped in from all over the country. An antique case features 24 flavors of truffles, including cappuccino and Kahlua White Russian. 154 E. Jefferson St., 560-5624.

[1] Design
In the market for a $26,000 Versace chair? Even if you’re not, head to the Platinum Living showroom for high-end holiday decor and design inspiration. Owner Jacquelyn Bilbrey, an interior designer, claims to have the largest selection of original European oil paintings in the Midwest. 960 Logan St., 776-8701, platinumlivingllc.com.
[2] Snack
Pull up a chair at Sweet Home Cupcakes, which opened in May with a rotating selection of nearly 50 flavors. Among them are Miller Man (chocolate cake with vanilla Bavarian filling) and Miller Mama (white cake with chocolate filling), both named in honor of the Noblesville High School Millers. 937 Logan St., 987-5551, sweethomecupcakes.net.

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.