Fountain Square staple Peppy Grill thrives on independence
The sign behind the counter at the we-never-close greasy spoon sums up its distinct personality: “Cows may come and cows may go, but the bull in this place goes on forever.”
Small Business
Articles
Practical IT firm Formstack a quiet success
Formstack, the Indianapolis-based drag-and-drop form builder software firm, isn’t flashy like its California social-media-site sister Formspring, but it’s intensely practical for organizations needing contact forms, order forms and other online business tools.
Plastics specialist Genesis plays to eco-conscious market
Fortville manufacturer plans $3.3 million expansion
Bigger small-business definitions
The SBA wants to broaden the definition of a small business in 36 industries. Suddenly, 9,000 more businesses would be considered small.
Angie’s List lands $53 million investment
The privately held firm, which has been raking in private investment since 2005, landed the biggest round of funding in its history from “two of the world’s largest public money managers.”
INSIDE DISH: Cafe bolsters base of Turkish food fans
Ascending from server to owner of Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe, Orhan Demirtas has leveraged a relationship with Eli Lilly and Co. to diversify revenue, and solidified his base by opening a new breakfast cafe and hookah bar.
Indianapolis couple offers seniors a senior housing alternative
Unusual home on south side has a dozen bedrooms for folks who need to give up their own homes.
Whatever became of the cool cop car?
The wheels of government turn slowly, a Carbon Motors exec explains. Meanwhile, the company has nearly stopped giving media interviews.
Lawsuit about parking issues puts Calle 52 restaurant project on hold
Plans for a new Latin restaurant at 52nd Street and College Avenue are on hold after another restaurant owner sued to overturn city approval of a parking variance.
Retail chain Family Leisure finding new identity
Recreational product superstore Family Leisure changed its name from Watson’s two years ago, but it could take years before the company led by Kevin Prefontaine builds the kind of brand equity tied up in the old name.
Massive Indy startup group heads south for convention
More than 100 local technology entrepreneurs will depart Thursday for what some call the Super Bowl of the startup world: the South by Southwest Interactive Conference.
Startup activity sputtering in Indiana, report says
Kauffman Foundation’s latest index ranks Indiana among the lowest in the weakest region of the country.
Law student taps connections for shoe startup
Arsene Millogo is sitting out the current semester at IU School of Law-Indianapolis to work on his own line of running shoes, a startup he and three friends financed with more than $50,000 of their own money.
IEDC unveils statewide entrepreneurship initiative
Elevate Ventures could attract an additional $30 million in matching federal and private funding to support entrepreneurs statewide, Indiana Economic Development Corp. officials say.
Pac-Van moving headquarters to city’s east side
The Indianapolis company that leases mobile offices and storage units plans to move from its south-side location by April 1.
Locate in the city or the suburbs?
A new study shows certain industries flock to one or the other.
INSIDE DISH: Arsenal owners’ ploy is gaming plus grubbing
Gameroom lords Andrew Chang and Troy Branam want players to come for Dungeons & Dragons and stay for the Wizards Gumbo.
Aprimo sale mints a slew of millionaires
Co-founder Bill Godfrey details the payout from the $525 million sale.
Experts: Economy too weak to fuel venture-capital investment
Activity won’t gain much steam until more entrepreneurs become optimistic, and optimism won’t materialize until the economy gets warmer, said John Barnard, managing director of Pearl Street Venture Funds.
Language Training Center expands relationship with LPGA
The Indianapolis-based Language Training Center is now translating the letters of the professional golf association’s commissioner into multiple languages and providing live interpretation at association meetings.