From boozy bookstores to terrarium bars: Openings and closings around Indy in October
A string of new shops, from an up-and-coming bookstore to a high-end jewelry store at the Fashion Mall, have opened in the past month just in time for what's typically the busiest season for retail.
Meanwhile, a long-standing movie theater downtown shuttered its doors as the future of its home hangs in the balance.
Here are the stores that opened and closed around the city in the last month.
Abby's Garden Parties
Owner and master gardener Abby Perry's motto "Swap screen time for green time" guides the experience inside this hands-on terrarium shop.
Customers can pick a pot, select green succulents or tropical plants and choose moss, soil, rocks or sand to fill out their pot. From there, guests are encouraged to get their hands dirty and relax while designing their custom plant. Singly-priced items allow the terrarium artists to match their creations to their budgets.
Walk-ins are welcome at the downtown Zionsville location, according to the store's website, while parties of six or more are encouraged to call ahead to book the DIY terrarium bar.
Chapter Book Lounge
Chapter Book Lounge brought a premier reading and book shopping experience to Noblesville when it opened in early October. The bookstore garnered more than three million likes on a TikTok video announcing their location in downtown Noblesville, bringing a trendy and cozy vibe to the historic area.
Chapter Book Lounge offers a mix of drinks from locally roasted coffee to craft cocktails to sip on while browsing for your next read. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom opened its second Central Indiana Nordstrom Rack location with a store at Hamilton Town Center. Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of the department store, selling luxury brands at lower price points.
The Toy Pit
The Toy Pit opened a new 13,000-square-foot store at the corner of 38th Street and College Avenue last month. The longstanding Indianapolis toy store buys and sells collectible toys and action figures, including vintage, modern, new and used items.
The largest toy store in the Circle City began in Fort Wayne in 2009 before moving its inventory to Indianapolis in 2014.
David Yurman
High-end jewelry brand David Yurman opened a brick-and-mortar store in the Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing. A luxury men's and women's brand, David Yurman is most well-known for its signature hand-twisted cable design bracelet.
BJ's Wholesale Club
A second Hamilton County BJ's Wholesale Club location opened in Carmel , providing another grocery store option for the suburb. The store is a membership-club brand, offering discounts on large quantity items like groceries, home decor and electronics. Membership includes access to an on-site gas station.
Restaurant news: Indianapolis-area restaurants that opened and closed in October
Regal UA Circle Centre
Regal UA Circle Centre, the marquee downtown movie theater for nearly three decades, played its last film on Halloween as redevelopment of Circle Centre Mall looms. Several tenants throughout the mall have left since Hendricks Commercial Properties bought the complex earlier this year and announced a years-long renovation project that would demolish part of the two-block structure.
A sign near the former theater directs moviegoers to a handful of other Regal locations around Indianapolis.
Alysa Guffey covers business for IndyStar. at or on X:
