Neat-O is a specialty shop dedicated to offering a variety of original art, artisan and contemporary craft pieces to consumers. The store acquires its products through artists on a consignment basis and sells them to the public at affordable prices. Neat-O opened April 12, 2013, at 724 Broad Ripple Ave, Suite 2, in the Huntington Bank building and is co-owned by sisters Lee Slagle and Stephanie Shears.

Stephanie described some of Neat-O's art: "We have photography, paintings - abstracts and still-life paintings of toys and games like Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, chess, Monopoly and watercolors. We also have jewelry, some of which is beaded, some made of paper beads, some up-cycled (recycled) cans, soaps, dishcloths, hand woven rugs and purses made of recycled aluminum. Wendell August started a forge business in 1923 located in Grove City, Pennsylvania (Neat-O is an exclusive local seller of August's items). It is the largest and oldest metal forge in the United States, but each piece is still individually handcrafted in Grove City. Everything in the store is hand crafted from fine art to dishcloths."

"Most of the art here is local. Anything that isn't local has a personal connection to us somehow. It's like an art fair here," Lee mentioned.

"We decided to open a store because entrepreneurship runs in our family. Our grandparents owned and operated a grocery store in Bruin, Pennsylvania, where our parents grew up, which is in western Pennsylvania north of Pittsburgh. We have great memories being a kid there getting penny candy from the store. Whenever there was a holiday from school, we would go to Bruin," Stephanie recalled. "The family is very tight knit and Stephanie and I are very close. We've always done things together," Lee mentioned. "We're like twins, even though we're 18 months apart," Stephanie noted.

"Our mom is pretty crafty. She is always doing projects, like knitting and sewing. She has done some painting and cross-stitching. A lot of people on her side of the family are pretty creative," Stephanie explained. "The business is very family oriented. You will run into several family members here." Their mom, Sue, knits dishcloths, bath mitts and scarves. Lee's daughter, Brittany, paints and draws. (She created Neat-O's custom t-shirts.) Each of their works can be purchased in the store.

"Art has always been part of our lives, so you learn to appreciate the craft and skill involved, especially if you can't do them. The creative process is interesting and the possibilities are endless. You're not confined to a box. I like to try and learn everything. I've done sewing, some painting, cross-stitching, crocheting and knitting. I like to do do-it-yourself home projects and would like to do more sewing and quilting projects," Lee said. Stephanie paints as a hobby.

Neat-O's mission is to provide customers with more than just an art shopping experience as their shop has a historical connection to the area. "Our goal is to establish a unique setting that shares the artists' story and passion behind their craft while making original art accessible to the public. We wanted to be in Broad Ripple as it is something you think about with art. I grew up and have lived in Indianapolis all my life. We just wanted to be involved with that kind of community. It's a village," Stephanie noted. Lee added, "It's known as a cultural district. When we were talking about the business, we wanted that Main Street feel and you get that kind of foot traffic here. The name is from our aunt that says 'groovy' all the time and that sort of morphed into Neat-O."

Neat-O's hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. They are closed Monday. While their website, www.neat-oartshop.com, is currently being developed, you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/neat-oartshop. Inquiries can be answered by calling 257-5735 or at originals@neat-oartshop.com.

A First Friday event on May 3 was Neat-O's opening celebration with snacks, cocktails and a chance to meet with local artists that included painters, photographers and jewelry makers. They have many gifts for Mother's Day, but some of their favorites include metal platters, coasters, hand mirrors, jewelry, soap and bath mitts.

Selling a diversity of creative local and old world treasures, Neat-O is an original work of art shop found only in Broad Ripple Village.