THE HOMETOWN candle brand known well beyond state lines, Penn & Beech has opened the doors of its first standalone shop. The bright, petite space is lined with built-in, antique-green shelving with recessed lighting to show off their familiar minimalist jars set off by old-fashioned floral wallpaper and a marigold couch. Owner Seth Doles had been eyeing the Nickel Plate District for quite a while.

“When this particular spot became available, we knew it was right. We wanted to invest in an area that has lots of room for growth and is newly developing to be a walkable urban core, and that’s what we feel we are getting.”

Reservations are encouraged to pour a custom soy wax candle using any of 120 fragrances, among them Cashmere, Hotel Lobby, Sage, and Aperol Spritz. Two of the most popular are the warm, sweet Bourbon and P&B Blend, a clean, sharp, fresh smell that wafts through countless kitchens and powder rooms in our area. Candle crafters can sip a glass of wine or a local brew as they work.

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BREWERIES, CAFES, RETAIL STORES, and even libraries in Central Indiana have gotten a clear message from the 70,000 or so folks who make the pilgrimage here for Gen Con, the annual tabletop gaming convention. Lots of people like playing board games, and not only during convention weekend in August.

Businesses’ next move, if you will, was clear. Many have realized having a selection of such games on-site will get patrons to stick around—or even to come by in the first place. The notion is not only good for business, but it’s great for game lovers. We’ve sussed out unexpected spots with carefully curated selections where we can all have some good old-fashioned fun. No beat-up boxes, tattered game boards, and missing pieces here. We’ve checked them all out for you in person.

CENTERPOINT BREWING
The Broad Ripple location has plenty of space to spread out with one of the games neatly showcased near the bar. They wisely connected with Noblesville’s Moonshot Games in 2022 to curate a collection that includes such popular mass market titles as Exploding Kittens and Codenames, as well as lesser-known but worthy options such as Skull and A Fake Artist Goes to New York. Bonus: You can order food from the adjacent 317 BBQ. Just wash your hands before grabbing a game. 6320 Guilford Ave., 317-602-8386

BOOKS & BREWS
From its inception, this locally grown company has been a welcoming spot for patrons to bring their own games or take one off the sample shelves. Watch the calendar for an occasional Catan tournament (no experience necessary). Be aware, though, that scheduled live trivia and open mic events may make certain times inconducive to games requiring quiet concentration. 9402 Uptown Dr., 317-288-5136

HITHERTO COFFEE & GAMING PARLOUR
A terrific fusion of cafe and game store, this Greenfield mainstay has a borrowable library almost as rich as its extensive for-sale collection. At Hitherto, you can sip a cold brew or munch on a flatbread pizza while encountering Cosmic Encounter, daring your friends to a Challengers! face-off, or paying a nostalgic visit to Candy Land. Table space may be limited during busy times, but you can always occupy yourself with a pastry while you wait. 1558 N. State St., Greenfield, 317-318-9782

MASHCRAFT BREWING
Well before you reach your table at this Delaware Street drinkery, you’ll discover a cabinet stuffed with tabletop games. Grab a Golden Goose or a Lemonberry and take your pick. The offerings aim to please the masses (Scattergories, Taboo), the hobbyists (Dominion, 7 Wonders), and those in between (Ticket to Ride, Splendor). 2205 N. Delaware St., 317-602-2552

FLGS

That’s gamer parlance for Friendly Local Game stores. Many also serve as community centers of sorts, where folks can shop but also try out games. (Some may have table fees.) Family Time Games (8796 Michigan Rd., 317-429-9817), Valkyrie’s Vault (1044 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 317-520-3565), Saltire Games (11135 Pendleton Pike, 317-823-1645), the new Elf ’N Moon (1354 Shelby St., 317-600-3313), and local pioneer The Game Preserve (8487 Union Chapel Rd., 317-257-9110) are places where you can learn a new game or revisit old favorites from extensive collections. A big plus is that knowledgeable staff can help steer you toward your new all-time favorite.

Local libraries: Along with your book pile, you can borrow games from select library locations, including Hamilton County’s Noblesville and Fishers branches. Both offer a wide range of popular picks that includes Great Western Trail, King of Tokyo, and Pandemic (the latter may still be too close to home for some). While you need to be a Hamilton Country resident to check them out at those branches, anyone can play on-site.

The Garage food hall: Free every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., the Game Night Social is an opportunity to try out a new pursuit, rediscover an old standby, and meet new people. You’ll find about 50 games to choose from. All ages are welcome. 906 Carrollton Ave., 317-556-1252

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PRESIDING OVER Nuova Vita Vintage’s petite space with a smile as bright as the light streaming in the big windows behind her, Macey Schumacher is gushing. “A brick-and-mortar on North Pennsylvania was great. But when this studio opened up, I couldn’t resist. It’s so exciting to be a part of the creative community here. And with events always going on and Amelia’s and Barista Parlor, it’s a destination.” Despite being tucked away on the second floor—and reducing hours to match The Stutz’s foot traffic—Schumacher is busier than ever. “My old regulars love it. And I’ve gained new clientele.”

Most of the inventory is women’s clothing, with a smattering of decor, accessories, and menswear, all with character. Schumacher cleans everything, and clothing is steamed, as well. The pristine finds are then hung on sleek hangers facing the same direction or carefully spaced on glass-top greige tables, imparting the air of a showroom and shattering any outdated conception of “secondhand.” The shop’s Italian moniker means “new life,” Schumacher explains. “So many beautiful pieces out there deserve a second life.”

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CYNTHIA VEATCH had big shoes to fill when she purchased the petite gift shop Clara K. & Cartabella from its retiring owners. Their exquisite taste and bespoke service came through for every special occasion. Happily for the boutique’s loyal following, Veatch has a similar eye as a transplanted New York designer. Regulars can still find some of their favorite items, including Hester & Cook placemats, Alba Bijoux semiprecious jewelry from Italy, greeting cards designed by former owner Ghega Scolari, and French Knot knitted goods. Veatch’s new treasures fit right in. Instant obsessions include Emily Lex watercolor workbooks, Canadian artist Janet Hill’s tongue-in-cheek prints, Bookshelf Games designed as thick tomes for classy displaying, and soy candles produced by women at Wheeler Mission’s Restored Creations enterprise. Saris are made from recycled fabrics, and Veatch sprinkles in curiosities like a British silver toast-holder. She read our minds with the shop’s new name—“a thousand thank yous” in Italian.

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AFTER SHUTTERING her Bates-Hendricks store shortly after the final season of Good Bones wrapped last fall, Mina Starsiak Hawk has moved the boutique north to a historic Noblesville neighborhood.

The cheerful emporium is split into three separate zones: one dedicated to Good Bones merch, a second full of home goods, and a third showing off giftable eye candy (and actual candy) geared toward women and babies. The home space houses an eclectic array of tabletop wares and decor, along with select pieces of furniture. Find oversize pastel teacups alongside cast iron flamingos and stoneware bedside lamps.

Can’t find what you had in mind? Flip through the design book and place a special order. Sales associate Amanda Lee notes that customers often make a day of their visit, hitting the eateries and other shops within walking distance. “They can stroll around for hours, something that wasn’t easy to do at the former location.” Lee also shares that works by local artists will be in rotation. Vibrant paintings by Stephanie Carignan of Fishers are on offer until the end of May.

Two Chicks District Co.
957 Logan St., Noblesville; Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

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ENJOY LUNCH Hands-down the cutest sandwich shop in town and purportedly the oldest, Greiner’s (1) serves subs and then some, including personal pizzas and fudgy brownies. On Facebook, the owner posts loving tributes to regulars. The endless supply of these posts speaks volumes about customer loyalty. 2126 Shelby St., 317-783-4136

GRAB AND GO A staple for 18 years, Porky’s Pizza Plus (2) specializes in thin and “super-super-thin” crust pies for takeout or delivery. Grab the 12-topping Around the World whopper of a pizza to go and share it with friends at Garfield Brewery down the block. 2236 Shelby St., 317-786-9434

CHILL OUT The drafts at Garfield Brewery (3) are named after tidbits of neighborhood life. Break the ice by asking a fellow patron about the meaning of Saint Catherine (a Vienna lager) or Ticklebelly (a strawberry ale). The covered patio is dog- and BYO snacks–friendly. 2310 Shelby St., 317-602-7270

CAFFEINATE Boho-sweet Helm Coffee (4) brews all the usual nouveau-cafe suspects, like a cortado and seasonal lattes, and roasts its own beans. Take home a bag—and a pint of Jeni’s ice cream from the cooler. Make a special trip for mat Pilates on Friday mornings or a bakery pop-up on the occasional Saturday. 2324 Shelby St.

BROWSE Petite bookstore Pen and Pink Vintage (5) gives off a Left Bank air with its antique furniture, vintage magazines, paper flowers, tintype portraits, and handmade notebooks with images of sewing patterns on the covers. It’s a great place to find beautifully designed new editions of the classics. 2435 Shelby St., 317-416-0197

DISCOVER AND LEARN Head over to the eastern side of Garfield Park’s landmark conservatory to find Blake’s Garden (6), a memorial park with a plant for every letter of the alphabet and edible leaves to sample, like stevia. A plant sale is happening on May 18. 2505 Conservatory Dr., 317-327-7183

PLAY EIGHT-BALL Central American specialties define the menu at Sabor Latino (7), a joint with a few tables, a bar, and billiards. Try a baleada, a flour tortilla smeared with refried red beans and filled with eggs, avocado, crema, and crumbled queso. Foosball fans respect the top-of-the-line Tornado table. 2531 Shelby St., 317-780-7074

HEAD TO THE MARKET Bring your pickleball paddles to the Garfield Park Farmers Market (8), which sets up next to the nicely surfaced tennis courts lined for pickle. The market is open Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Look for Garfield Honey Co. and take your Illumine coffee in the adjacent Sunken Garden. 2345 Pagoda Dr.

EMBRACE THE ECLECTIC Owned by two interior designers, Skosh (9) introduces the concept of a lifestyle studio to Indy. Depending on how you look at it, it’s a vintage furniture store with a coffee bar and lunch counter, or it’s a cafe with a lot of mini living rooms. Everything is for sale, even the glassware your zero-proof martini is served in. The home goods lean toward the ’70s, and ’80s, when we loved our plaid thermoses and brocade couches. 2555 Shelby St., 317-600-3571

GO GREEN If you’re looking for philodendron spiritus-sancti, the Brazilian “holy grail of philodendrons,” check the glass cases at Serendipity Plants (10), where precious clippings are kept like jewels. That species costs $205, but the shop has many common houseplants, too. 2614 Shelby St., 317-468-5427

GIVE IN Order your gigantic twice-baked raspberry croissants or Basque creme brulee Danish online for pickup at Cafe Babette (11). 2627 Shelby St.

EXPLORE Community art space Tube Factory (12) has grown into a full-fledged campus. Must sees are the Chicken Chapel of Love art installation and a Tree of 40 Fruit sapling, grafted to produce 40 varieties of stone fruit and bloom in a spectrum of colors. 1125 Cruft St., 317-450-6630

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THE NEW retail space nestled inside the creative studio Guide & Anchor serves as both a 3-D portfolio for prospective clients and a much-appreciated outlet for the artistic urges of husband-and-wife owners Sara Jean and Joey Potts. When they’re not working graphic design magic for brands or creating interior design schemes for commercial clients including Natural State Provisions, Tinker Coffee Co., and Kismetic Beer Company, they turn out their own limited edition goods. “We figured we might as well have a little shop where we sell our own creations,” says Sara Jean. “Clients can come in and see our work just by being here.”

Visitors can pick up clothing and accessories, including hand-painted silk scarves from the couple’s first collection, Floral Remedies. If you see something you like, grab it, as in most cases when an item sells out, it’s gone forever. The Potts debut a housewares-intensive line this month called Lawn & Leisure. They also plan to sell their wares at pop-ups around town. Find details on Instagram @guideandanchor.

Guide & Anchor

ADDRESS

3315 E. 10th St.

HOURS

Variable; check

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NEWLY OPENED in January in the erstwhile H. H. Gregg building, the commodious, sleek Virginia Tile showroom is the first in Indiana. And you’ll find way more than the usual subway and marble looks. The brightly lit lobby introduces you to space after space of tiles crafted of natural stone, porcelain, glass, and traditional ceramic, as well as home design accoutrements, like vanity hardware pulls, from both American and European brands. Interior designers are on hand to help you sketch out your ideas. You can also get help envisioning outdoor projects like pool tiling and landscaping with stone and pavers.

Angie Allen, showroom manager, sees shoppers moving away from gray—ubiquitous in kitchens and baths in recent years—and leaning toward warmer colors, especially soft earth tones. And natural-textured and patterned tiles are having a moment. Their large-form porcelain panels have also proven popular. Allen is seeing them used in all different ways, including around fireplaces, as cabinet fronts, alongside staircases, and to create feature walls. “We’ve had people who were driving past stop in because they were intrigued and had to see what was inside. To watch their excitement and creativity bubble up as they explore is invigorating to me,” shares Allen.

4161 E. 96th St.; Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

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(1) Hawthorne Strainer
Steelite International’s essential cocktail strainer comes in handy when making citrus-based drinks, such as the Early Riser. $24. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(2) Shaker Kit
This classic stainless steel two-piece set from Barfly Mixology Gear shakes things up in style. $26. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(3) Glencairn Glass
The shape of this whiskey-tasting glass is the gold standard for sipping. The narrow rim is designed to concentrate the spirit’s aroma. West Fork Whiskey Co., 10 E. 191st St., Westfield

(4) Nick & Nora Glass
Elegant and dainty, this long-stemmed martini glass from Steelite takes its name from the stylish characters in the 1934 book, The Thin Man. $240 for a case of 24. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(5) Martini Glass
Inspired by the 1920s glamour of American jazz bars, this elegant Steelite stemware is a beauty to behold. $139 for a case of 12. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(6) Mixing Glass
Featuring a heavy base and narrow spout, Steelite’s 27-ounce mixer looks deceivingly delicate, but it’s a solid go-to for stirred cocktails. $305 for a case of six. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(7) Twisted Bar Spoon
With a corkscrew shape that allows for smooth, splash-less stirring, this 12-inch utensil from Steelite is the magic wand of the bar cart. $18. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(8) Japanese Jigger
This stainless steel tool from Barfly measures out 1- and 2-ounce pours. $12. Zesco Foodservice Design & Supply, 640 N. Capitol Ave.

(9) Whiskey Decanter
A gorgeous Viski Irish-cut decanter preserves the quality of the spirit. $35. Kahn’s Fine Wines & Spirits, 5341 N. Keystone Ave.

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MELISSA SANDULLO’S dream of owning a bakery was off to a good start until a health issue forced her to close, as the work was too physical. “What I loved about the bakery is that it would light people up when they saw the cake they’d ordered,” she says. “I still wanted to create a space that did that. And where everyone feels like they belong.” So she switched to other passions: all-natural products and vintage clothes. She started paying attention to ingredients when her mother battled cancer. As for retro fashion, buoyant, playful cuts and patterns are just her style. Hey, Tootsie sells a line of chemical-free skin care (“Basically anything you’d find at a beauty counter,” Sandullo says) and home cleaning products. One room contains racks of new and vintage cloth- ing in sizes XXS to 3X. Back shelves are sprinkled with kitschy planters and leather cuff bracelets from Hoosier makers. Sandullo’s father gave her the big porcelain “shop cat” she asked her followers online to name. (Anastasia Beaverhousen won.) Hey, Tootsie—we feel the love.

3639 N. Raceway Rd.; Wed–Fri 3–6:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

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