We spend a lot of time making sure the people we meet know all about what there is to see and do around Indianapolis. And sometimes we decide we should see and do those things, too. Here’s what that looks like:
It’s Friday, November 21, and we can hardly find two hours to make this field trip happen. We manage, but the tight schedule means we need to stick close to downtown. This, however, is not disappointing at all because Pogue’s Run is close to downtown. About one or two buildings east of 10th and Rural to be exact.
Let’s just keep this story between you and me, though. The 10th and Rural area used to be pretty gnarly, so until my parents come to terms with the incredible revitalization that’s taking place, they’ll sleep better not knowing I like to come here for sandwiches.
I can’t blame ’em, really. Gnarly doesn’t even begin to describe what it used to be like, which is (SPOILER ALERT) why everything that’s about to follow here is so cool. Local entrepreneurs who care about the neighborhood are displacing its unwanted reputation with natural foods, tiny fox hats, ice cream cones, cups of coffee, refurbished turntables, and the like.
But back to that first stop. Lunch.
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Pogue’s Run is part co-op grocery store and part to-die-for sandwich shop. Molly, Karissa, and I beeline for the counter. We look through the menu (about half of the options are vegetarian and many are vegan!), order our sandwiches, and start wandering the store in search of the perfect sides and beverages.
I get severely sidetracked by these fancy options (I’m convinced that $1.80 worth of that seaweed, kale, brussel sprout salad will turn me into a superhuman), but there are all kinds of chips and fruit and such, too. Plus, a salad bar and like a whole wall of chocolate if you’re into, you know, chocolate.
The store isn’t particularly large, but these guys make up for it by selling lots of items that you might not find at your normal grocery–tons of local meat, kimchi, crazy jams, kombucha, essential oils, bulk bins of grains and coffee, eco-friendly cleaning products. I could go on, but you get it.
Anyway, our sandwiches are ready. So, we all settle on our various sides and drinks, pay for everything up at the cash register, take a seat, and practically inhale our food. Well, I practically inhale my food. I should say that Karissa and Molly are much more dignified eaters.
But in my defense we’re in a bit of a rush and need to get to our next stop, the Little Green Bean Boutique, before taking off to catch LISC’s Great Places 2020 presentation out on the westside. So, we finish up our unbelievably good lunches and walk out the door and right across the street.
Heather, the owner of Little Green Bean, has been an acquaintance for a few years, so it’s a bit hard to believe I’ve never made it into her shop before. But then again, I’ve never personally had a baby to buy things for. So, it hits me like a stupid ton of bricks when we walk inside and I realize that–baby or not–I’m still buying gifts for baby showers.
This place is loaded with the coolest things. Never again will I buy a lame baby gift. From now on I’m only buying onesies with the Indianapolis skyline and knitted hats with fox faces and crocheted blankets from a local crafts people. If I have to buy a shower gift, at least I can feel good about where my money’s going, right?
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It’s here in the Little Green Bean that we get the real scoop on what’s happening on E. 10th Street from Heather, which is a lot. A new ice cream parlor has gone in just up the street, and a couple of sisters have opened a comfort food restaurant. There’s a coffee shop now, which is right next to a store that refurbishes turntables. And there are rumors of a doughtnut place going in, too!
We get to talking about how encouraging it is to see a neighbors taking charge and making change in their neighborhood. And when I mention we’re just about to leave for the Great Places 2020 announcement, it’s clear that Heather knows something. It doesn’t take much asking to find out that a nearby neighborhood where Heather lives has been selected as one of the three great places. But speaking of great places, now we’re running late. We make our goodbyes and head back out into the street.
True, the 10th and Rural area isn’t Broad Ripple or Irvington. We’re not trying to convince you it is, or that it should be. It’s still pretty gritty on the street, and probably not the place to wander around alone at night. But it’s a remarkable thing to see neighbors rally like this to reclaim their environment. So all this positive stuff that’s happening on E. 10th Street, it’s a big deal and you should check it out.
