Happy anniversary, Flanner House 🎂

Flanner House celebrates 125 years

Exterior of a street of Flanner House homes

These easily recognizable homes are on the near northside of Indy. | Photo by INDYtoday team

For 125 years, nonprofit Flanner House has been a major social services institution for Black Hoosiers on the near north side, with initiatives like its self-help cooperative homeownership project — Flanner House Homes. To celebrate this milestone, we thought we’d share a little bit of its history and what the organization looks like today.

Then

Flanner House (or Flanner Guild, as it was called at its inception in 1898) was established as a settlement house for African Americans in Indy by Frank Flanner, who donated the original building on what is now Colton Street. Soon, the organization expanded to encircle educational and cultural improvements and was largely led by a group of female schoolteachers and middle-class African Americans.

Between 1950 and 1959, 180 Flanner House Homes were built near Crispus Attucks High School in an effort to address the severe housing shortage caused by segregation practices at the time. Today, more than 50% of the homes are still owned by the builders and their families.

Exterior of the Flanner House — Flanner House focuses education, employment, wellness, peace and safety, economic development, and food justice.

Now

Flanner House has been behind a number of innovative initiatives in the neighborhood today, including Ujamaa Community Bookstore and Cleo’s Bodega Grocery and Café.

Despite its positive impact on Hoosiers, homes in Flanner House Homes Historic District have been under threat of demolition several times in past years and the neighborhood was on Indiana Landmarks’ ”10 Most Endangered” list in 2013. In 2021, it put up 15 signs to mark the area as historic, which is still a little-known fact around town. The markings were put up in hopes that its historic status would deter future developers from demolishing the homes, so the neighborhood can continue to grow for years to come.

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Wednesday, Feb. 22

Agave & Rye Indianapolis Grand Opening | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | 336 S. Delaware St., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Celebrate National Margarita Day at this “urban grunge” eatery with dishes like lobster mac and cheese tacos.
SBA Funding Options for Small Business Webinar | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn how to finance your biz and where micro-loans are available from business advisers and mentors.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Legacy: Celebrating Black Voices | Thursday, Feb. 23-Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Dr., Indianapolis | Free | View artwork by local Black artists in a variety of media at this 7th annual exhibition.

Friday, Feb. 24

Indy Fuel vs. Toledo Walleye | Friday, Feb. 24 | 7 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $16-$60 | For this game night, the Fuel is teaming up with organizations and sports that promote inclusivity, equity, and inspire change in the community with the “Hockey for Everyone” initiative.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Punk Rock Night presents Surf Night | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 9 p.m.-3 a.m. | The Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis | $8 | See the Ampfibians from Cincinnati and the Yeggs from Pittsburgh at this regular music night.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Midwest Reptile Show | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $7 | Slither by the fairgrounds to see a variety of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals and shop cages, feeders, and other pet necessities.

Thursday, March 16

Ladies Beefsteak | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Harry & Izzy’s Northside, 4050 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis | $125 | Enjoy an afternoon of networking, food + drinks, and basketball — tickets include all you can eat St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail, Sliced Beef Tenderloin, fries, and a variety of beer, wine, and cocktails.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Cocktails for a good cause 🍸

Uncle Nearest is partnering with bars, restaurants, and stores to raise funds for HBCUs. | Photo by Dave Pluimer

Raise your glasses, INDY. Huse Culinary is partnering with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to raise $1 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Now through March, order the “Chai Me Maybe” — a tasty cocktail featuring Uncle Nearest 1884, chai simple syrup, orange + a cinnamon stick — from any Huse Culinary restaurant (St. Elmo Steak House, 1933 Lounge, Harry & Izzy’s, and HC Tavern + Kitchen) and $1 will be donated to HBCUs.

Bonus: Huse Culinary will match up to $2,000.*

GET SIPPIN'

Weather

67º | Rain | 83% chance of rain

Opening

Antilogy — a new brunch, wine, and bourbon lounge coming to Greenwood — announced its grand opening will be on Monday, Feb. 27 from 4-10 p.m. The eatery at 5867 N. State Rd. 135 will serve everything from beef tenderloin crostini to vanilla bourbon French toast. See the brunch menu. 🥃

Coming Soon

A new concept from the people behind Byrne’s Grilled Pizza is coming to the Herron-Morton neighborhood on the city’s near north side. We don’t know much about Gather 22 yet, but we’ll keep you updated. 🍴

Sports

The Colts may have their new offensive coordinator. Head coach Shane Steichen is expected to bring on Jim Bob Cooter as his right-hand man, who spent last season as a passing game coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fun fact: Jim spent 2009-2011 in Indy as an offensive assistant. 🏈 (IndyStar)

Community

The Indiana State Museum is extending its hours to close at 8 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning on March 2. The change will give working Hoosiers an opportunity to visit the museum during the week and experience additional programming that will be available during the summer. 🕗 (WRTV)

Eat

Former Acapulco Joe’s owner Brian Farmer developed a hot sauce that has been seeing major success recently. In 2022, Sassy Sauce doubled the sales of the previous year and saw 100% sales growth. You can pick up a bottle at 70+ Indiana retail locations, including Fresh Thyme, Kroger, and IND. 🌶️ (Inside Indiana Business)

Shop

What we’re eyeing: Zulily’s sneaker shop and some fresh kicks for spring. Shop street styles from Nike, versatile New Balance picks, or fashionable Tory Burch sneakers all on sale now. 👟*

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For cool cats only 🎷

A new documentary explores the impact of Wes Montgomery

Guitarist Wes Montgomery plays in a crowded room

Wes is playing on stage at Henri’s Cafe Lounge, a bygone club at 408 Indiana Ave. | Photo via Indiana Historical Society

Whether you’re just now learning that downtown’s Indiana Avenue was once a mecca for jazz or you’re a local history aficionado, the upcoming documentary about Wes Montgomery is a must-see for music lovers and proud Hoosiers.

In “Wes Bound: The Genius of Wes Montgomery,” you’ll learn fun facts about the Grammy winner, like how he taught himself how to play the guitar by ear and how he innovated jazz music by playing with octaves when he soloed. The film pulls from hours of family and historian interviews and explores the musician’s impact on Indy and beyond.

You can watch it on Sunday, Feb. 26 on Indiana Public Media’s WTIU-TV or on Monday, March 6 — which would have been Wes’ 100th birthday.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: Shoutout to Joe F. — a reader who reached out via email and let us know just how fascinating the story behind Flanner House Homes Historic District is. A newer resident of the area, he sent words of praise for his neighbors who have worked hard to make it a wonderful and wholesome place to live.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s your sign to have a self-care day.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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