Apple Press co-owner Tom Healy described his company that adopted the slogan "Printing with appeal" in 1983. They are located at in Broad Ripple Village, found adjacent to local organic foods pioneer Good Earth.

"Two friends of mine asked me if I was interested in pitching in to buy a printing press. At the time, I was working full-time for the Indianapolis News, writing the Herman Hoglebogle column. I was also doing some freelance newsletter editing. I agreed and we set up the printing press in a partner's basement in November of 1983. In the spring of 1984, we had enough business to warrant getting some office space and we knew we wanted to be in the Village. Our first office was located at 6349 Guilford in the Canal House where the Canal Bistro is now," Healy explained.

"We bought one partner out and relocated to the Jacob Coil house (behind Brugge Brassiere). At the time, it was in pretty derelict shape. We restored it and operated there for a decade. The Monon Trail did not exist at that time. There were still ties and tracks then," he recalled.

Apple Press core business has responded well to a varied marketplace and the advent of technology affecting print companies over the years. "Part of the reason we're still in business is that we have a loyal client base. The industry has changed over the course of 27 years. We're adapting to the times, but still offer many of the same services. Business cards and postcards are still effective marketing tools," he noted.

Healy's partner in life is also his business partner. "My wife, Elsa Kramer and I are the sole owners of Apple Press. She is also an educator and freelance writer. She runs the business side of things," he said.

Apple Press has also diversified their client services over the years. "We purchased Branches magazine from a client 19 years ago. Publishing is another part of our business - we're in our 24th year. It covers the subjects of health, spirituality and ecology. I've been a journalist all my adult life and occasionally contribute to the Broad Ripple Gazette. I've become very involved with the Broad Ripple Village Association in the past four years." In addition to being a BRVA member, he is also President of the Broad Ripple Alliance for Progress, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their mission is "to support and facilitate the ongoing development and beautification of the Village of Broad Ripple through participation in grass roots and community based projects" he explained.

Apple Press has made a significant impact in the Broad Ripple area beyond printing. "Part of our business model has always included a community service component. We were very involved with other Broad Ripple small businesses in the grassroots initiative to convince the City of Indianapolis to turn the Monon Trail into a linear park. It was controversial at the time, but has become a tremendous success," he mentioned.

A lifelong adopted Hoosier, Healy attended IPS #59 and lived near Chatard High School. "I recall when the Vogue Theater showed movies and when Brothers (Bar & Grill) was a pancake house," he said. When his family moved to the east side, he attended John Marshall High School, but still visited Broad Ripple. "I went to Indiana University's Bloomington campus and majored in Political Science and German," Healy added.

Healy elaborated on some current projects he is working on: "We've got some newsletters and brochures we're working on for environmental groups and some local restaurants that we're working with on their printing. We still do a lot of business cards. Our more recent community service is being involved in the Envision Broad Ripple process - since Earth Day of 2008, the BRVA has partnered with the Department of Metropolitan Development and our neighbors, Green Broad Ripple and Harmoni to update the Village's master plan. We held a series of 22 public sessions that were two and a half hours each where we gathered public input on what direction the community wants Broad Ripple to take. Now we're in the process of crafting the specifics of the plan. We're writing the first draft of the master plan that will be ready for public comment and discussion. It involved a lot of community input and has the City of Indianapolis involved. The next opportunity to discuss this will be at the BRVA quarterly public meeting Tuesday, July 19 (at 7 p.m.) at the Indianapolis Arts Center and we'll discuss the proposed mixed use-parking garage. This is so exciting for the Village," he emphasized.

He recently spoke on behalf of BRVA when the City of Indianapolis announced a $15 million parking garage project at the corner of 6300 North College and Broad Ripple Avenue. As a gateway to the Village, the 350 parking space capacity will also have an Indianapolis Police Department roll call station and a retail area on its first floor.

"The most rewarding thing about my work is to help businesses and non-profits clearly communicate their vision and fulfill their mission. It's been great to work with the small business community in Broad Ripple," he reflected.

Apple Press website will bear fruit soon as its creative seeds are now being planted, but customers can reach them at applepress@sbcglobal.net for their printing inquiries or call 253-7752.

If Jacob Coil walked through Broad Ripple today, he would be amazed at how the community that he platted in 1837 has evolved. In addition to inspiring the publication of the Gazette in 2004, Broad Ripple continues attracting citizens from around the city and state as employees, patrons and residents through enterprising and diverse small business owners and community visionaries like Tom and Elsa Healy. Today, like in 1983, Apple Press continues printing with appeal.