Something tells me the 175th anniversary of Broad Ripple is going to be a big deal. I had thought that those of us that embrace Broad Ripple in our daily lives would enjoy the milestone celebration and go about our ways. Then I read the article in The Indianapolis Star written by Will Higgins earlier this month. He made me realize how important Broad Ripple Village has been to so many, for so long and that I have come to take it for granted. I have lived here for nearly all my life and have now accumulated enough years that I could probably be counted in among the modern historians. From Will's article I could surmise that he is younger than me. I could follow his every memory and add my own. He talks of Ed Schock's Toy and Hobby Shop and the model airplane kits they sold. I remember those so well, but I was a girl and in the 50's Barbie was born. They cost three dollars at Schock's. I would walk there with Christmas money. The big decision was blonde, brunette, or redhead. I had them all. The last one I bought I had become too old for, so I still have it in its original box with the price tag in mint condition in her black and white striped swimsuit. I will cash her in as my nest egg. As kids, we bought our school supplies from G.C. Murphy Co. as well as Easter chicks and ducklings dyed in pastel colors and goldfish in bowls. Another dimestore was Danners on Carrollton Avenue across from the post office. Our mothers' bought fabric and patterns there and sewed new outfits. Businesses served our needs not just our desires. There was more than one drugstore and more than one grocery. There were hardware stores, paint stores, auto stores and Bud Wolf Chevrolet Dealership. Wm. H. Block had a department store on Broad Ripple Avenue across from today's Hot Box Pizza. D'Arcy's children's clothing store was also on Carrollton serving us up beautiful Easter clothes. There were shoe stores, for adults and kids. Horin's Childrens Shoes was next to the Vogue and opened in the 60's. I was Bill Horin's teen babysitter. When I had kids of my own they were fitted there and always went home with a balloon filled with helium. As I recall, Bill was a Broad Ripple Merchants President before it became Broad Ripple Village Association. If any of you remember him I will tell you he is alive and well and in his 90's. I remember Mac's bicycle shop as does Will Higgins. He speaks of the Schwinns that our dads bought. My dad bought my husband and me a Schwinn tandem bike from Mac's that we still have from the 70's. My how bikes have changed! We love our vintage bike. Across from where Thr3e Wiseman is today (where Bud Wolf was then) was a bowling alley and Borky's Restaurant. The Monon train ran on the track next to it. Maplehurst had an ice cream parlor where Starbucks is today. There was a men's clothing store and a jewelry store next to it. It might have been called Bond's Jewelers. My brother worked there as a teen. The Vogue was a family movie theatre with Kiddie Matinees. But Will Higgins writes that Broad Ripple hit the skids around the time the Beatles broke up and the Vogue started showing porno movies. That I don't remember. But I remember, as does he, that the new Glendale Shopping Center was Broad Ripple's curse because it lured the shoppers away, a phenomenon that endures today as retail is forever outgrowing itself in the form of super stores. Glendale felt the pinch (when The Fashion Mall and Castleton Mall developed) causing them also to hit the skids. Will says "but in the late 70's Broad Ripple got hold of itself and redirected its focus toward nightlife. Everything now is a bar. The trophy shop, The Holland-American Bakery, Fox's Deli, even Mr. Pancake. Business is booming." Mr. Pancake? Where was that?

After reading his article I wondered about today's children. They have no real reason to go to Broad Ripple. Parents don't let kids go places on their own like they did in the past. It's too dangerous. Now there are no toy stores, children's shoes, bowling alley or movie theatre. But there is ice cream and burgers. And when they come of age Broad Ripple is the happening place. Call me nostalgic but I would like to see more family filled establishments come back to Broad Ripple. It's good for kids to make memories. Who remembers the WNAP Raft Race down White River? Who remembers the huge park swimming pool? Who remembers the pet store with the talking minor bird and the exotic cat? I loved the Russet Cafeteria, next to the Vogue, with their wonderful potatoes. Who got a prom corsage from McNamara's? My sister-in-law bought her prom dress at the store that was next to Ed Schocks where Dinwiddies, on Carrollton, is today. Help me out. What was it called? I'm thinking Van or V something. Let the memories and photos begin. Broad Ripple is turning 175! I'm just a young'in.