I Am Broad Ripple

Tatjana Byrd
COO and founding member of I AM Broad Ripple

Febuary 28th 2015

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I remember as a kid growing up I generally felt like an outsider. When my mother and I moved to Broad Ripple I finally felt like I fit in. Not in the sense that I found people that had a similar life experience as me, but in the sense that my experience didn't matter, my individuality did. That is what I've always loved about this neighborhood, it has always been inclusive. No matter your background, nationality, religious beliefs, gender, or sexuality this has been a place that you could be comfortable with. Now I'm not saying it's perfect and has never had a few bad seeds or moments but in general, there really is a sense of community and that's what I love about it.

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5 Places I LOVE IN BROAD RIPPLE

 

1: The Monon Coffee Company

I spent 10 years of my life working here and still frequent on a regular basis. If there ever was a place that I could consider my home away from home, this is it. The people that work there and come in there are like family to me and I don't know where I'd be without this place.

 

2: The Wellington/ Corner Wine Bar

It's hard for me to wrap my head around how the oldest restaurant in Broad Ripple is also one of our hidden gems. I have spent many nights of my life next to the fireplace in the Wellington, writing. I kind of have a life goal, of someday people going their retracing my steps as writer. Like people do with Vonnegut or Kerouac. As special bonus the martini's are the best I've had in the city and they care not for all the hoopla that comes with it!

 

3: Art Center's Arts Garden

Throughout my life, in good times and bad, this has been the place I've gone to clear my head. It's been a place I've gone and dates, the place I've gone after a breakup and a place that my kids enjoy as much as I do.

 

4: Metamorphosis

It's pretty apparent that I'm a collector of skin art. There is nothing more amazing to me then to go to my neighborhood tattoo parlor and get the best artists around to boot. The owners and artists there have always made me feel welcome, even if it takes me a year to come back or just mere weeks.

 

5:Nicey Treat

This is a weekly destination (if not more) for my family. This place is the epitome of passion and hard work for me. To see what once was a simple cart selling homemade popsicles, then a truck to now a store front, I am nothing but inspired by that. Then to add that there frozen treats are amazing, it's a win-win!

 

Honorable mentions: Just Pop In, Good Earth, The Tibet Shop and Indy CD and Vinyl

 

One of the things I love about Broad Ripple is the fact that there are ma and pa shops everywhere. The same people that own a business in the area are the ones that you'll run into on the street or at the grocery.

One of the things I hope will change, is that perhaps the landlords will start thinking about what is good for the neighborhood and not just rent out to the highest bidder. I'm not saying that corporations shouldn't come into the neighborhood. I think any development and business coming in is growth and that is always welcome. What I am saying is that instead of having an empty store front they give a small business a chance and maybe just maybe see that flourish, instead of being empty because no one an afford the rent.