Openings and closings: See what came, went around Indianapolis in October
As the year winds down, the local business scene in Indianapolis certainly hasn’t.
From bookstores and fried chicken spots galore to the closure of a popular Mass Ave gift shop, see what businesses have come and gone this month around the Indy metro area.
Here are openings:
Hasuno
When: Opened Oct. 4
Where: 435 Virginia Ave.
What: Sushi lovers have a new spot to catch a bite. Hasuno, which serves a variety of sushi, small plates and entrees like yakisoba, is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bardales Seafood
When: Opened Oct. 7
Where: 882 E. Coil St.
What: Taste the ocean, right in Broad Ripple! Bardales Seafood is commercial fisherman-owned and boasts fresh crab, fish and shellfish from the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico.
More: An upscale movie theater with food and cocktails is coming to Indy. Here's where
Create Art Studio
When: Opened Oct. 8
Where: 6511 Ferguson St.
What: Bring out your inner artist at Broad Ripple's new art studio. Create offers a variety of events and classes for everyone from toddlers to adults of any ability. You can also rent out the studio for private parties and events.
Dream Palace Books & Coffee
When: Opened Oct. 9
Where: 111 E. 16th St., Suite 101
What: The long-empty Thirsty Scholar space on 16th Street is once again occupied — by a used bookstore and coffee shop. Taylor Lewandowski, an English teacher at Herron High School across the street, told IndyStar he's envisioning Dream Palace as a hub for Black and LGBTQ literature and independent presses in the city.
Slim Chickens
When: Opened Oct. 9
Where: 5730 W. 86th St.
What: It’s the month of fried chicken in Indianapolis. Slim Chickens, the Arkansas-based chicken tender chain, opened in Trader's Point, serving up chicken tenders, sandwiches and Southern sides from macaroni and cheese to fried okra.
Gil Tacos Estilo D.F. 2
When: Opened Oct. 11
Where: 9510 Aronson Drive
What: The southside taco shop has opened a second location on the north side. The spot is known for its variety of tortas and tacos — from fish to chorizo to lengua — at affordable prices.
Golden Hour Books
When: Opened Oct. 14
Where: 5208 N. College Ave.
What: Bookstores galore! Golden Hour Books opened in Meridian-Kessler next to LUNA Music. Owners Sara Gelston Somers and Max Somers previously told IndyStar they want the store to be a neighborhood spot for people to discover off-the-beaten-path literary gems.
Chicken Scratch Indy
When: Opened Oct. 15
Where: 121 W. Maryland St.
What: Downtown residents and workers alike now have a new spot to grab wings, fries and sauces. The Maryland Street location is the second for Chicken Scratch, which has a northside location on Keystone Avenue.
Gather 22
When: Opened Oct. 17
Where: 22 E. 22nd St.
What: A new coffee shop and restaurant has moved into former office space on 22nd Street. Gather 22, from the creators of Byrnes Grilled Pizza and Rhinobar, serves coffee, lunch and dinner with a variety of sandwich, pizza and appetizer options.
Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
When: Opened Oct. 22
Where: 1831 N. College Ave.
What: After a long rebuilding process from a 2020 fire that damaged Kountry Kitchen, the famous (and celebrity sighting-studded) Kennedy King neighborhood eatery is back up and running. The soul food restaurant is serving up staples of the cuisine, from fried catfish and fried green tomatoes to rib tips.
First Watch
When: Opened Oct. 23
Where: 8820 US. 31 South, Greenwood
What: The sixth Indianapolis-area First Watch, a Florida-based chain serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, opened off U.S. 31 in Greenwood this month. There's something on the menu for everyone, from avocado toast and juices to lemon ricotta pancakes.
Memento Zero Proof
When: Opened Oct. 28
Where: 8701 E. 116th St., Suite 145, Fishers
What: As the alcohol-free movement grows in Indiana, so do the options for beverage lovers who love to enjoy a fun drink without the buzz. Memento Zero Proof, which boasts itself as Indiana's first alcohol-free coffee and cocktail bar, offers a variety of zero-proof mixed drinks and coffee concoctions, as well as nonalcoholic beer and wine.
Catch up: See what businesses came and went around Indianapolis in September
Here are closings:
Homespun
When: Closed Oct. 8
Where: 869 Massachusetts Ave.
What: The popular shop boasting Indiana art, cards, stickers and a variety of gifts closed its Mass Ave storefront in early October, after ending business hours after Labor Day. The shop had been open for 13 years. Homespun had faced challenges; as owner Amanda Mauer wrote in an Instagram post, “running a small business is no small task.”
Squealers
When: Closed Oct. 15
Where: 5515 W. 86th St.
What: After a 20-year run, barbecue restaurant Squealers announced it would close its northwest side location. Barbecue fanatics can still order Squealers meats and sides at its original location in Mooresville, which will remain open.
Dry Bones Mud House
When: Closing Oct. 31
Where: 525 S. Meridian St.
What: A spooky closure date for a hidden gem in downtown Indy, Dry Bones Mud House is moving its downtown Union Campus location to New Palestine at the beginning of December as a BBQ and Brew, according to social media.
Contact business reporter Claire Rafford at 317-617-3402 or email crafford@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Openings and closings: See what came, went around Indy in October
