Roundup: Aurelio’s Pizza, ice cream ’emporium’ and Dottie Couture in Fishers

Chicagoland favorite Aurelio’s Pizza is extending its reach into central Indiana, with plans for a restaurant in Fishers.

Founded in 1959 in the suburban community of Homewood, Aurelio’s has 40 franchise locations in six states and three family-owned pizzerias near Chicago.

Aurelio’s expects to introduce its thin-crust, square-cut pizzas at Fishers Marketplace this year.

The mixed-use project under construction at State Road 37 and 131st Street has attracted a range of future culinary tenants, including chicken chain Zaxby’s, Graeter’s ice cream, City Barbeque, Bagger Dave’s Legendary Burger Tavern, Which Wich, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Taco Bell.

Last month, Flaherty & Collins Properties said North Carolina-based Brixx Wood Fired Pizza would open its first Midwest location at The Depot at Nickel Plate, a mixed-use development being built in downtown Fishers. (See a late-breaking tenant announcement below.)

Pizza lovers also embraced the news that Chicago staple Giordano’s is bringing its popular stuffed pies to 4110 E. 82nd St. in Indianapolis.

Fishers also is drawing interest from ice cream enthusiasts. Graeter’s is planning a Fishers Marketplace shop, and Irvington’s Wyliepalooza Ice Cream Emporium just opened its third location at 11009 Allisonville Road.

Founded last year by the mother-daughter team of Patty Timmons and Cassie Salimeno, Wyliepalooza is named for Salimeno’s precocious 5-year-old daughter (who serves as the shops’ official greeter).

Timmons, 51, launched the Captain Java coffee shop in Fishers nearly 20 years ago, ultimately selling the business to focus on her family. The experience helped when she and Salimeno, 31, decided Irvington needed an ice cream shop.

“Sixty days later, we were open,” said Timmons, who lives in Clermont.

The partners also have a shop in Brownsburg as well as an ice cream truck.

Wyliepalooza’s products come from a family-owned purveyor in Madison, Wis. In addition to traditional ice cream and Italian ice, the menu includes vegan and soy-based options. Other specialties include bubble teas and the popular Filipino dessert Halo Halo. (Nathan’s hot dogs also are available.)

In other retail news north of 96th Street:

— Homegrown "chic boutique" Dottie Couture also will lease retail space in The Depot in downtown Fishers, Flaherty & Collins said today. The shop, which has locations in Greenwood and Indianapolis (near the Fashion Mall at Keystone), offers trendy apparel and accessories for women. The 1,340-square-foot Fishers location, expected to open in late fall, will be the largest storefront, owner Brooke Magdzinski said in a prepared statement.

— Greek’s Pizzeria is hiring staff for a new location in Westfield. The popular chain is transforming a former day-care center at 205 Park St., next door to foodie haven Rail Epicurean Market and near the planned Grand Junction plaza downtown. Greek’s also has restaurants in Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville and Zionsville.

— Culver’s has opened its newest butter-burger outlet at 13691 Olio Road in Fishers. The Wisconsin-based chain also has locations on Westfield Road in Noblesville and on (the south side of) 96th Street in Indianapolis.

— Bento Café, a locally based Asian bistro specializing in sushi, has opened at 9778 E. 116th Street in Fishers, next to Fresh Market.

— Carmel-based Sandor Development Co. has begun construction of small-shop retail space at 10679 N. Michigan Road, adjacent to an existing Marsh supermarket. Dubbed Gateway Shops, the 12,000-square-foot building is expected to be ready for tenants in November.