Ep.6 - Abby Reckard - Founder of Lille Bønne
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This episode of Third Space Indy is quite special to me for a couple of reasons. Primarily, it marks the end of the largest hurdle of any project: getting started — and this is just the start. Next, some of my largest revelations about the show's production happened during this recording. Something that I hope will shine through as we continue forward; more on that later. And lastly, I was graced with having Abby Reckard as my guest. Abby is one of the ‘three’ (I think I’ve said two previously) primary influences I reference for beginning this adventure. I can’t thank her enough for the amount of inspiration I’m not sure she knows she provided.
In this post:
Links to listen
Links of references from the show
Production learnings
Story Time
Episode Summary
Episode Transcript
I was laid off from my job on January 7th, 2025. On March 13th, I met with Abby for the first time in Fletcher Place. We talked about what I was doing, and she shared the story of Lille Bønne. In that moment, I realized two things: I am certainly not the only one looking to make the kind of difference I am looking for, and the amount of work Abby was putting in made me rethink my approach, which led me directly to Third Space Indy.
Abby is founding what she dubs “The Community Living Room” in Fletcher Place, named Lille Bønne. If you’re interested in supporting the creation of this beautiful and important third space, you can find the funding campaign here.
Third Space Indy is supported by Arrows.
Important links and mentions
Abby Reckard
Food
Art
Production learnings from the episode
The production learning from this episode feels simple enough — don’t record in the Central Library 😂.
More seriously, though, I am really happy with the way the video here looks. The lighting was nice, with a big key light from a cloudy sky and a big window from one direction. The desk looks a bit messy, but I think that’s fine and is on point with what I have for a setup. I’ve since adjusted the arrangement of my guests to try to face the camera more.
Next, let’s address the elephant in the room — the sound. I, for some reason, didn’t think the blaring A/C unit was that bad - it was that bad. This underlying white noise was so strong, consistent, and loud that it totally cooked the audio. I’ve done my best to reduce it, did some audio processing in Audacity + Studio Sound in Descript, but it’s impossible to remove without making me and Abby sound completely terrible.
Lastly, while I had previously been thinking of my handheld recorder as “backup audio,” I have also been annoyed at my lack of having two audio sources. So while recording with Abby, I kept looking down at the recorder and had a brain blast where I realized that it could, in fact, be used as a handheld second microphone. Something I will incorporate from here on. Thank goodness.
How to start a business
One of the things I have probably said most in the past 6 months is, “If you ask anybody how to start a business, especially business owners, no one can give you an answer.”
Why is that? I think that’s because, realistically, there are only two real answers, and people are afraid to share both of them, or they genuinely don’t know. Here is my diagnosis:
(1) The answer is “you just do it.” This is the answer of someone who has the capital or the means to get the capital to create a business.
(2) The answer is “you can’t create a business.” This is not to say that you literally can’t create a business. Rather, this is to say that this is not how businesses are made. More often than not, I’ve found businesses sprout from a small passion, a side project, or by total accident. One of these avenues or similar taken which then evolves over time to eventually become perceived as a business.
There is another concept I quite like along these same lines. It’s that when you turn 18 years old in human years, you are now 0 years old in adult years. So, at the time of writing, I am soon to be 12 in adult years. Still spry and majestic like a spring antelope or something similarly evocative.
The reason I like this framing is that I believe, frankly, that no one knows what they are doing truly. We are all in a mutual state of ‘figuring it out.’ Whether it’s business, podcasting, or meeting new friends, I’m not quite certain anybody truly knows what is correct, and anyone who claims differently is surely lying.
“Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly;
Man got to sit and wonder 'why, why, why?'
Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land;
Man got to tell himself he understand.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle
I recently finished Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, and this passage stood out to me, as it has to many others. Animals other than humans have an instinctual acuity. They know what to do with all hours of the day as easily as they know how to breathe. On the other hand, humans spend most of their days thinking about what to do, why, and whether it was the right choice. Many people would argue this makes us better, but it certainly makes us slower to act when no one truly knows anything anyway.
Tak for i dag (Thank you for today)
So this is what people like Abby and I do. At least that’s how I see it. Abby saw a problem (a disconnected community), she saw a solution (an old Danish church), and she acted and is still acting to make it happen. I see myself in her; I’m just at an earlier stage in my journey and am going about it differently.
We must take every day in stride, say “thank you for today,” and keep moving toward building more third spaces, resilient cities, and a better world. Thanks again to Abby for joining me on Third Space Indy. I hope you, reader, will enjoy the episode. See you next time.
Third Space Indy is supported by Arrows.
Episode Summary
Building Community through Lille Bønne: A Deep Dive with Abby Reckard
In this episode of Third Space Indy, host Michael Zarick speaks with Abby Reckard, a key inspiration behind the podcast and a community builder in Fletcher Place, Indianapolis. Recorded at the Central Library, the episode delves into Abby's journey of transforming a historic building into Lille Bønne, a community living room. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of renovating the space, the importance of community engagement, and the broader impact of fostering in-person connections post-COVID. The conversation also touches on tactical urbanism projects, local zoning issues, and the vibrant neighborhood of Fletcher Place. With anecdotes, personal reflections, and a look at the future of community building, this episode offers an insightful glimpse into grassroots efforts to enhance communal spaces in Indianapolis.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup
01:10 Meet Abby Reckard: Inspiration Behind the Podcast
02:04 The Vision of Lille Bønne
03:03 Building Community in Fletcher Place
04:55 Challenges and Triumphs in Renovating a Historic Building
13:36 Community Events and Tactical Urbanism
20:59 Navigating Red Tape and Financial Hurdles
28:54 The Importance of Local Government and Zoning
35:17 Exploring Fletcher Place: A Local's Guide
36:14 Exploring Edna Balz Lacy Park
37:17 Community Vibes at Calvin Fletcher
37:59 Local Eateries and Their Stories
40:19 Fletcher Place: Past, Present, and Future
47:05 Art and Placemaking in Indianapolis
51:11 Sports and Community Spirit
56:13 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
Episode Transcript
Season 1 Episode 6: Abby Reckard
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Michael Zarick: [00:00:00] Hey, Michael here with a quick note ahead of the episode. Abby and I recorded this episode in the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis, and the study room that we were given had a really, really loud AC unit. I, for some reason was pretty confident that I could record through it and sort of do some editing later to reduce that background noise.
But it absolutely still comes through in the recording. So especially if you listen on headphones, that sound is gonna be coming through. But personally, I think this is one of the most compelling conversations yet. And Abby is also one of the sort of three main inspirations for this podcast. I really hope you'll be able to get through that.
I think it's a great episode and we talk about a lot of amazing stuff revolving around Lille Bonne, her business and community building So thanks so much for listening and thanks for supporting Third Space Indy.
[00:01:00] Hello, my name is Michael Zarick and this is Third Space Indy And this podcast we talk to community builders, leaders and. And others who are building up the neighborhoods they work in and doing their best to make Indianapolis as great as it can be.
Today I'm joined by Abby, Abby Reckard who is a Fletcher Place native and is doing her very best to create a community space called Lille Bønne Um, she's also one of the main inspirations for this podcast. Uh, when I was laid off from my job, I was looking to maybe start my own business, and then I realized that Abby was doing it first.
So that was really compelling to me, and I have since talked to her and I'm talking to her again today. Uh, so Hello, Abby.
Abby Reckard: Hello. Thank you so much for having me. Yeah, this is fun. Yeah. [00:02:00] Um, it's very official.
Michael Zarick: I, I feel that way sometimes. So the reason I ask you on is very specifically because you're starting Lille Bønne.
And I just, you know, tell us a little bit about what that project is, uh, a little bit about yourself as well, if you, if you're up to it. Yeah, yeah. Um, and yeah, send it.
Abby Reckard: Yeah. So, uh, Lille Bønne is coming soon. I feel like it's been coming soon forever. Um, but the idea is we want to open this space, um, in a really historic building in Fletcher Place, that is, we're calling it a community living room.
So essentially a gathering space for the neighborhood, um, for, you know, the community, not just in Fletcher Place and Fountain Square and Bates Hendricks and, and those neighborhoods that are in proximity. But, you know, anybody who's traveling through, anybody who's coming by. But, you know, I like so many folks I think have kind of like.
I reached my [00:03:00] capacity on virtual gatherings. Um, you know, I think it's getting much better now in the last year or so, but, COVID lockdown, I think did a number on all of us where we were so shut off from each other and so, so disconnected, from real life and real community and connection. and I think it was like a, a perfect amalgamation of this space in Fletcher Place.
so the building that we're working on, feels like we'll be working on it in perpetuity, but it is one of the first buildings, not the very first, but one of the very first buildings erected in Fletcher Place. Um, it's a little brick church that was built by Danish immigrants who settled there.
And, you know, for most of the life of this building, it's been a center of community. and when it went on the market, about two years ago, you know, I think it took me a little while to realize [00:04:00] that like, oh, I'm gonna buy this building. 'cause for a long time I was like, oh, I wonder who's gonna buy that, what it's gonna be.
and there's so many beautiful historic buildings in Indianapolis and so many that have been demolished, unfortunately. Like there are really cool books of like, historic architecture in Indianapolis that's no longer standing, which is so sad. Or like churches that have been converted into apartment buildings or condos or Airbnbs, which is like better than demolishing them, of course.
Um, but I just, I felt so drawn toward this space in particular, and, Using it for its original purpose. Not necessarily like religious, but community oriented and a space for gathering and sharing ideas and connecting with people and, and helping each other, and just like building community. Um, so that's, a little nugget of, of what Lille Bønne is.
But, [00:05:00] how that's actually gonna play out. You know, we're renovating this space to be, um, equal parts, cafe and community centers. So, I mean, I think there are very few places that anyone wants to go that you can't get food, at least me anyway.
I feel like my entire social life is oriented around, ooh, where can I go get a good treat? Um, so we'll have food, but we'll also have, um, yoga and art classes and um, you know, community events. I wanna have like Sunday suppers for, you know, just family style gathering. Um, and speaking events and live music and, and a lot of things that like a library would have,, I really want to use this as a space to kind of like return to, doing things together in real life.
Yeah. It shouldn't be such a novel concept, but it kind of feels like it's,
Michael Zarick: that's, that's sort of
like the, the whole thesis of this show mm-hmm. Is very much like we have reached a place where I feel like I call it, [00:06:00] you know, that the term is like loneliness, epidemic. Yeah, for sure. Um, but it's just a place where we, as a society or.
Or neighborhoods or, you know, as you get more and more microscopic are just like, we're even more individualistic. Yeah. Uh, and that's led us to a place of both loneliness, like misunderstanding all of these things. Mm-hmm. Um, and I feel like what you are doing with Lille Bonne is very much a, an attempt. Although you've succeeded in many ways already, in my opinion, even though the building is still under construction, is an attempt to create a magnetic force and pull people together.
Abby Reckard: I love that. Just imagery. Um, because I think that's, you know, that's what I've learned I think over the last year of like, the process of renovating the space and, and getting it, you know, suited for what we want to do there. Um, I think what I've learned in that time is, you know, I went into this [00:07:00] thinking like, oh, I'm going to create this space.
Um, or you make this space available in our community that we're gonna use. To help build and create community. Um, of course, you know, as a Fletcher Place resident, I've been there for the better part of, gosh, 12 years now, 13 years. like the community already exists, like the people make the place and like that's come a little slogan Fletcher Place too.
But it's true. the people make the place and the community already exists, um, and has so many great spots to coalesce in the neighborhood. And I think maybe like a silver lining of the delays over the last year has just kind of me being able to get better plugged into the community that already exists.
I feel like a lot of us, or at least speaking for myself, I think, there's just this kind of like, I don't know, I felt kind of timid about like putting myself out there just. As myself, like I don't really have much to offer. [00:08:00] there's already this community that exists. It's hard to like insert yourself into something.
Like, it takes me years to like warm up to a new place or a group of people. And I think having the, not the excuse of Lille Bønne, but just to say like, okay, here I'm trying to do this. Like let, let me do it with you. Like let's work together on this has given me a little more confidence in that. But it's like a mutual,
uh, banner almost.
Yeah.
Yeah. But like, the community exists and I think that like getting more plugged into that community and like building trust with that community, to say like, okay, this is what we want to do with this space. This is what we want Lille Bønne to be. This is how we wanna pull this off. Getting to like better connect with.
Neighbors and other businesses in the neighborhood and like kind of start to build this collaboratively, I think will just make it better for everyone in the long run. because like when we started doing this like over a year ago, the first step was [00:09:00] reaching out to the community.
'cause when we were buying the building, when we bought the building, we needed to rezone it or get a zoning variance to do what we wanted to do there. It was zoned residential, because the city wanted it to be short term rentals, which really, it's a whole other thing, but it's not.
Michael Zarick: I I have been inside the building.
You allowed me in and I don't, you could maybe fit two families. Yeah, well, you know, or like
Abby Reckard: an Airbnb or something. Yeah. Um, so I'm so, and you know, that process went really well, but the first step was going to the neighborhood and saying like. You know, asking for a letter of support from the neighborhood association.
Um, so like early on, knocking on doors, getting petitions, signatures from folks in the neighborhood, presenting our case to the neighborhood association and saying like, Hey, this is what we want to do with this space. You know, I'm here, my family's here. Like we want to put deep roots in Fletcher Place and like help it grow and this is, this [00:10:00] is what we want to do.
So I think like earning that community trust and like being a real meaningful part of the community, I think is what kind of differentiates or Lille Bønne from other businesses. Not that there aren't lots of businesses that are also already doing that. Um, but That's my hope is that, um, people will.
See themselves reflected in the space and in the programming there. and, and that it will really feel like a center for community and not just, a place or business that like has some fun, cool stuff, but like it will be like deep, meaningful connection is the goal anyway.
Michael Zarick: And in my opinion it's funny that you say that, like you have that concern because like I said previously, you have already done the work to build the community.
Lille Bønne is just sort of like, that's almost like the end goal.
Abby Reckard: I think so, yeah. You like,
Michael Zarick: [00:11:00] you have already, and we'll talk about specifics necessarily, but you have made events and you have, uh, you know, you've made friends and all of these things, and Lille Bønne is just sort of like. It's like your tree house almost in your backyard.
Yeah. But the building of the tree house is the, it's like the, it's like the lame thing. It's like, oh, the journey was the point.
Abby Reckard: Yeah.
But I think it's so true. But you're there. I think it's so true.
And like a lot of that has really pulled me out of my comfort zone. Like, I don't consider myself to be like a natural, like, like I tow the line between introvert and extrovert.
I, I, I feel like I can go, like I can connect very deeply with people, but like I, I don't see myself as like a natural connector to just like, go out there and like pull things and people together. Like, knowing that that is a requirement of this and, and, um, and understanding that like, oh, if, [00:12:00] if this is just, um, a, a product of my vision, it's not gonna be as good as it could be as if it is a, Collaborative effort of people in the neighborhood. Um, you know, of course my other business partners. but I think it's, it's been a, a, you know, a learning curve and kind of a humbling experience to realize like the,
uh, what, what is the saying? Like the summer is greater than the great, the, I also don know saying the sum of its parts whatever.
Like when we put all of us together, um, we can really build something much more beautiful than anything that any of us could do individually. Um, and so I'm hoping that is the case with this, and I'm hoping that like, like I can get over some of my own personal fears and anxieties of like, putting myself out there and, um, and you know, asking for help.
That's been a really hard thing. But, um, yeah, you know, I love your Treehouse [00:13:00] analogy because so much of this like. The renovation process even so far, like all we've really done is demo, um, lots more to come, but like even that as like the day that we, stripped the trappings of the previous congregation that was there and like, you know, pulled up the stinky old carpet and like ripped out the baptismal pool.
Um, it was just like a ton of people that got together and kind of helped out and, you know, put on their work gloves and swung some sledgehammers and, um, it's been very cool to see the community already come together in support of building this thing, and making it real. So,
Michael Zarick: so we, I sort of alluded to it, but like you've done some community events including having some demolition, but you recently ish did, uh, like, is it called Guerilla Tactical?
Urbanism Tactical Urban, yes. I like the word.
Tactical urbanism and I, unfortunately, unfortunately, wasn't able to attend because I was sick. I was planning to, but, um, could you [00:14:00] tell me a little bit about that and like how it brought people together, what you did,
Abby Reckard: stuff like that. Yeah. So Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association partnered with Fountain Square, the Fountain Fletcher District Association, which is like the merchant, economic development arm.
Um, and the city, DPW within, you know, the city of Indianapolis has this division that's, uh, called Community Powered Infrastructure. Mm-hmm. So basically they, want to hear from neighborhoods and community leaders of like, what do you need to improve the infrastructure in your neighborhood?
Um, mostly focused on like pedestrian safety, walkability, bike infrastructure. we did, and the, the Fletcher Place Group did, um, a training program and a grant with the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, INRC, which is a great resource for neighborhoods, um, and placemaking and, and community development.
We cobbled together great many from all over the place and worked with the city [00:15:00] to, um, develop a plan for improving pedestrian safety on McCarty Street. Um, that run, that's like right, you know, where Lille Bønne is between East and Virginia. Um, and then Calvary Street that crosses 65 70, um, and connects Fletcher Place with North Square.
Mm-hmm. Um, and then some on the corner of Virginia and College. basically, you know, creating these bump outs, to slow car traffic. And, we worked with several local artists. I think four out of the five artists we work with are like in Fletcher Place and Fountain Square, to design these murals.
that people came out and did basically like a paint by number for these murals designed by these local artists. Um, so it was, you know, this tactical urbanism, street art, um, you know, art in the right of way kind of project, that we combined with our [00:16:00] annual neighborhood cleanup, um, where, you know, folks just kind of gather early in the morning.
Usually there's like maybe 15 or 20 people that like, show up early and get their little gloves and their grabbers and just pick up trash in the park. And, oh gosh, the other cool thing that we did on, on Calvary Street was, you know, create a protective bike lane. Mm-hmm. Um, with barriers that. The month prior, like folks in the community had come out and painted these barriers.
So like me and my little family, like had our paintbrushes on my son's drive. I think I saw, I think that was so cool. So like, like vastly improves pedestrian and bike safety. really creating like a blueprint for more permanent infrastructure down the road. But we had like 150 people show up day. Oh, I didn't, I didn't know it was that many.
It was massive. I saw the photos. It was massive, but it didn't look like that many and well, we were spread out all. Okay. You know, so it was like all down the, the whole stretch of McCarty. We had, like six murals all along McCarty [00:17:00] and then another couple on, um, Virginian College. And then the median across, Calvary was painted.
So folks spread out all over the neighborhood. You know, just out there with rollers and paint brushes and getting to participate in this big community art project. and as we were planning this event, we figured, well, if we have to, if we're gonna close the street down to paint, we might as well like have a party afterwards.
Yeah. So we had a block party, you know, we had Dysfunction Brass Band out there and a bounce house and food trucks and um, beer from Chilly Water. Like we were so many good neighbors in Fletcher Place. Yeah, it was just like such a cool community event. Like to see people come together and like roll up their sleeves and get to work on improving the neighborhood and then get to like, celebrate together afterwards.
And there were so many people who, I mean, people who've lived in the neighborhood for a long time that I was meeting for the first time, I heard so many neighbors say like, oh my gosh, I can't believe, like, I didn't know you before. Yeah. Like, it's
Michael Zarick: like, oh, you live three houses down. Right, exactly. But I've never seen your face.
Exactly. [00:18:00]
Abby Reckard: Yeah. So, and just getting to like, I think there's something really powerful about. Contributing to something together, like putting in the work together, seeing the, you know, the end result of your hard work and, and continuing to see that every day as you walk throughout the neighborhood. Like every time I walk down to Calvin Fletcher and I cross the street and see all these murals, I'm like, oh, we did that.
And that's so cool. And I feel like it creates a sense of pride in the neighborhood. improve safety and beautification and the knowledge that, like we did this as a community. and just, yeah, better, better connection with, with the people around you. Have you, just
Michael Zarick: anecdotally, you don't have data yet.
Would assume, but a anecdotally, are cars going slower? Anecdotally? Do you feel safer? Yes.
Abby Reckard: Um, so, and we will collect data that's part of the project. So last summer we were out there with [00:19:00] like speed guns. Like I felt like I was in Super Troopers, just like hiding behind cars and I'm a cops collecting their speeds.
Yeah. So we counted like volume of traffic and average speed. Um, and so now we'll collect that same data again this summer, and try to show Right. Improvements in, you know, reduced speeds. we were really hoping to get crosswalks. That hasn't happened yet.
Michael Zarick: see, that's where the guerilla comes in.
Mm-hmm. You just
send it.
Abby Reckard: I'm, I'm ready to, um, I feel like at this point it has to be like somebody that's like not so closely connected to the project. Um, like, oh, I don't know who did that. That's what I said. That's a, it wasn't
me. You go out there and do it.
Michael Zarick: Just call me up.
Abby Reckard: Yeah. But, so we will collect that data.
But even like, so my, my son's bus, you know, drops 'em off like right there. Um, and the bus driver, like in the first day after these paintings, um, you know, went out, she's like, oh my gosh, this is great. Like, what is this like? [00:20:00] And talked to her about it just like, yeah, this already feels better and safer.
It's just like such a strong visual of like, Hey, watch out, look out. Um, 'cause unfortunately Indianapolis has had a ton of pedestrian deaths.
It's, you can't even keep, I think like last year they had,
I don't even remember how many, but I think it's encouraging to see groups like Vision Zero and that the, you know, City County Council has adopted this plan to like, help mitigate that, um, and make our streets safer, um, for people.
Because I think sometimes folks in charge forget that it's. The city is made of people. Mm-hmm. And, um, yeah, so getting to work on, um, just like infrastructure projects like that. Um, and work alongside not just the people in our neighborhood, but like all seeing all these neighborhoods kind of come together, to create better neighborhoods.
Mm-hmm. Um, I think is what it's what it's all about.
Michael Zarick: So we've [00:21:00] alluded to it a couple times and I'm really interested, it seems like every time you want to do something, keep, why is gorilla in my head, it's just fixing the streets. Any of this type of stuff that is community focused, safety, you know, fun, whatever.
There is a deep amount of red tape. Um, have you experienced this or is this maybe focus on Lille Bønne in this case? Like what is the type of stuff that you've encountered? Building this space that you feel like you should not have encountered?
Abby Reckard: Yeah, I mean, that's an interesting question. I'm an Aries, so I'm just gonna do what I want regardless, which I think is, what makes me a good fit for this type of work.
I don't know. I love a challenge. Mm-hmm. And if something seems too easy, it feels like it's not really worth doing. That's funny. So, um, not that it shouldn't be easier to do this, I think
Michael Zarick: it seems like a community, [00:22:00] obviously there's, you are in an old building, so maybe there should be some red tape involved with that.
So I think, but it seems like to start a business as small as yours, it should be like
Abby Reckard: Yeah, and I think, like, I think there are a few things to that. So I think like the first hurdle that we encountered, or it wasn't really even a hurdle, it was just like, okay, this is a thing we have to do. Was the, the zoning variance.
Mm-hmm. And I had no idea what I was doing. Um, and fortunately have like friends and, uh, people who helped a lot with that process. And, but like we went through the process that was like, you know, the petitions and the letter of support from the neighborhood association and when it came time for the zoning hearing, um, that like the city county council vote or the voting, the zoning board, it's not the council, but like the zoning board votes on and the, person in the, gosh that's, I don't even remember like all the departments and what they're called anymore.
There's probably 30 of them. [00:23:00] Hopefully I'll never have to do that again. It was a process, but like, you know, they, I think zoning is so important and like I could, we could record a whole other podcast about the issues with like short term rentals and Airbnbs and like. How it's just like the Wild West.
'cause there's like zoning, regulations, can't do anything about that. So I think zoning is important. Um, it's what helps keep neighborhoods, in control of their own, space or like space and like the vibe or whatever the word, their community. Yeah. So I think zoning is really important.
when we got to the hearing, we had been put on like the expedited ballot, which basically means that like everybody in the city was in support of our request. And so like, didn't need to hear any comments, didn't need to like, make our case. They're just like, yep, this is good.
We proof, go for it. Um, so I think like, I think regulations are super important. Um, I think the. The [00:24:00] biggest issues have just been, and again, like this is, this is I think, universal, but just like money. I mean, I think it's so clear, it's been made clear that like, if you aren't just like independently wealthy, everything is much more difficult.
Um, and just like the, the length of time that it takes to do any of this, you know, when we got started and bought the building and we're starting renovation process, you know, everybody's like, oh, it's gonna like take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think it's going to. And I thought, not for me, it's gonna be fine.
And it's taken twice as long and costing twice as much. Um, and I think like,
there are a lot of bad actors with a lot of money and a lot of really well intentioned, , people who want to do good work. With not a lot of money. And I think like trying to figure out how to how to be [00:25:00] successful in a project like this in spite of, an economic system that isn't very conducive to that success.
But there again, you know, like this is not the kind of thing that, that I could have done by myself, unless I have like a shitload of money, which I don't. Um, and you know, but even then
Michael Zarick: you're spending the money to get help. Right. So, right.
Abby Reckard: Like to have, well, you know, the, the, the money going to construction and architects and you know, all of that.
But I think like there is. A way around that when you join together. I think like bringing on, the, the business partners that I have in this, like none of, there's no trust fund babies. There's, you know, we're not, we're all just kinda like regular folks, but I think like, all right, like we all believe in this enough to really like, put our literal money where our mouth is and like, make an investment in this space and this idea and this community.
I'm [00:26:00] hoping to kind of resurrect it soon here once we have some, something to share with the building. But crowdfunding campaign, where this time last year, you know, we raised nearly $17,000 just from friends and family and the community. Um, you know, we've had so many people volunteer to help with manual labor.
You know, like, hey, when the time comes, like, I wanna help paint, I wanna help do landscaping. Like, how can we help? And so I think like.
we
are. So, I don't know, it seems like finances are often an insurmountable hurdle. Like, I, I can't afford to do this, I don't have the money to do this. And I think what I've found in this process is that, yeah, that's probably the case if you're trying to go it alone on something.
And I think that is really unfortunate for a lot of entrepreneurs and people who are trying to start a business. The numbers don't add up, but I think the more [00:27:00] people that you can bring in and the more you can kind of widen that circle of contributing, not ideologically or like, Hey, what do we wanna see?
, Make it a reflection of what everybody wants for the community. Um, and, and let letting people help. whether it's financially or with time, and talents, like I think that has been, such a great, growth edge for me, because I'm not inclined to ask for help or to even really accept it.
It's gonna be better because more people have been involved. It's gonna be possible because more people are involved financially. And like, if that means that like it's not just up to me, then like, great. 'cause that's probably better anyway.
Um, so I've had like so many great business partners Will Mann, Kristen Baxter, Phil Glovis, um, who have just been like friends and like colleagues and whatever for a long time., And you know, they have all helped immensely. The neighborhood has helped immensely [00:28:00] so.
I think, I don't know if that answers your question. I think most of the hurdles have been, of a financial nature.
Michael Zarick: Well, you kind of said, you kind of answered it immediately, but you, you sort of like the things I think maybe I would perceive as hurdles. You're, you just perceive them as something to walk around.
Yeah. You were like, ah, yeah,
Abby Reckard: that's not that big of a challenge. I don't know. And I think that's like, you have to be like a little bit, which is impressive, delusional in own way to do something like this. You've
Michael Zarick: said this to me before. Um, and
Abby Reckard: I think it's true. Like, I don't know, like I think all of this kind of comes from my own tendency to just say like, nah, those rules don't apply.
Like, let's like adhere to the good rules and identify the ones that like, don't make sense and just do it anyway. Mm-hmm. So.
Michael Zarick: I, I am interested you just, 'cause we kind of dance around it, around the idea [00:29:00] of, zoning. So I think there's a really big conversation in the US right now. Mm-hmm. Just because people want more, locally focused things and not to live in a suburban hell.
do you think that there's like room, at least maybe, 'cause I do agree zoning is important. You don't want a factory in the middle of your Right. Right. Your beautiful neighborhood. Do you think there's like room for flexibility?
Abby Reckard: I think that, um,
And by no means a zoning expert, so I is not a lawyer.
Take all of this with a grain of salt. Yeah. Jeffrey Tompkins, um, he's
Michael Zarick: a, a, I'm talking to him soon. He's a, um, not a civil engineer, but he's like a, a designer, a civic designer, sort of. Cool. Yeah. Um, he wrote an article that said like, if you wanna build something, hire a lawyer. Yeah. Yeah. It's like.
Abby Reckard: And I think that's like, part of it is so many of these, systems and regulations like that, theory are there to like, make things better, protect us, you know, keep things safe.
Um, [00:30:00] don't always succeed in that. but I think in terms of zoning and flexibility, I think, like what I take issue with is people that come into a neighborhood and think that because they have deep pockets, they can get what they want. I'm gonna look up his name so I get this wrong.
So I can call him out, take him down. He's a real asshole. There's a property owner in Indianapolis. I think mostly, and he's bought like several buildings in Beach Grove, um, has covered this guy a couple of times, Dennis Brackenridge.
Um,
so people like this who, come up buy up entire apartment buildings immediately, post eviction notices for dozens of residents, because, the, like HUD payments haven't come through.
And I think like there are groups, there are people, there [00:31:00] are businesses that, want to come in, take up whatever space they can in a neighborhood, in a property, in a building, in a city, um, and use that for their own profit I think that is what neighborhoods are wary of and cautious of.
And I think, we do live in a system where money often does equate to power, and if you have a lot of it, you can kind of throw your weight around and do whatever you want. where there are protections and systems in place for neighborhood entities to say, we don't want this, or we do want this.
And I think that's like zoning I'm not an expert on, but I think like the, the civic engagement that I've experienced in like the Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association, which I'm on the board of, like I think that is where, like that is the foundation of. Of [00:32:00] local government that's like the, as local as you can get, just like your neighborhood.
and when my husband and I first moved to, well, we, when we bought the house that we're in now and we started going to neighborhood association meetings, and realize like, oh my gosh, this is like, this is, this is local government. Like, at the neighborhood association meeting, they're voting on like land use, you know, a proposed land use amendment for like, some building and like some person who bought this building what they wanna do with it.
But the neighborhood gets to say like, no, we're not cool with that, so we're not gonna support that. And then most of the time that's not, you know, you need the support of a neighborhood. So I would say like, if you live in a place, that has an active. F Neighborhood Association be like Democratic Neighborhood Association.
that is where you can like, participate in those decisions about like what happens in your neighborhood, what [00:33:00] change, what changes are made what kinds of new businesses can open or what kinds of new construction can happen. and if you feel passionately about things that are happening that you don't like or things that you want to see happen that aren't happening, get involved in the neighborhood level because that is where I think you can make really meaningful change.
you're not, several layers disconnected from the actual decision makers. Like you are a decision maker. Like if you are a dues paying member of a neighborhood association, you get a vote in whether or not your neighborhood chooses to like put its weight behind something. Yeah.
So I have found that really inspiring about Fletcher Place, and I'm sure there are loads of other neighborhoods who are operating the same way.
Michael Zarick: Yeah. I think, um,
Meridian Kessler, I think also has sort of a very strong-willed mm-hmm. Uh, group of people. Mm-hmm. I think some people maybe out on the [00:34:00] outside or even on the inside, like might think they're a little bit too strong-willed in one way or the other. But I, I like the way you answered, it's that like, it should be the will of the people effectively.
It's like we, the people should get what they want. Yeah. And I think
Abby Reckard: mostly the people who live in a place like businesses can be, and often are like just as important of a part of like the fabric of a neighborhood. Um, I know the ones in Fletcher Place certainly are, um, but that's because they're part of the community and they invest just as much into the people there as they expect people or hope that people will come and, you know, support their business.
It's such like a reciprocal relationship. And so I think like we see some hubris in investors coming into a neighborhood or businesses trying to come into a neighborhood and think that they can just show up and do what they want without, hearing the needs and wants of the community that they're coming into.
Michael Zarick: The Fletcher Place SmackDown, that's like, that's right. Not near, not near. There's a, there's a [00:35:00] joke. Uh, someone I follow is always like, we should resolve political arguments with like a wrestling match or something. It's like, if you, like, if that guy you mentioned earlier wants to come in and build apartments or like move people out, like he needs to be Right.
Our strongest champion. Yep.
Abby Reckard: I like that.
Michael Zarick: Great. So I enjoy Fletcher Place. It's takes me a while to get there. Yeah. It's like 30 minutes from where I live on the north side. 25, whatever. Mm-hmm. You know, a decent amount of time. I'm lucky that I can take the Red Line. So if I turn my brain off and I just want to, I really like going to, uh, Calvin.
Pleasure since you introduced me to it. It's easily the best coffee shop in the city, so Good. Right? Oh God. I, I need to try some other places, but it's still consistently the best in my opinion. Um, where in Fletcher Place would you take me if I was hanging out? If you're bought in? Yeah, I think I'm bought in.
Maybe. I mean, I really like a lot of places in [00:36:00] Indianapolis. Indianapolis is a great city and as I'm supposed to be a a, a neutral bystander on this podcast, I'm supposed to hype up everywhere. So like, where are you taking me? If I'm going to Fletcher Place? Obviously Calvin Fletcher's on the list.
That's a coffee shop,
Abby Reckard: obviously. Calvin Fletcher's, where else? Yep. Um, the Park, Edna Balz Lacy Park. Um, it's got bocce courts. It's got playgrounds, it's got, what's it called again, sorry. Um, Edna Balz Lacy Park,
Edna Balz. Lacy, Edna Balz Lacy Park. There's always a temptation to call it balls. Edna Balls usually we'll just say Lacey Park.
Um, it's such a group, it's such a asset to the community. Um, you know.
Michael Zarick: Is that the big one by the church or the Catholic school? Yes. Okay. Yeah,
Abby Reckard: so it's right on like East and McCarty, um, south of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. yeah, there's just always something cool going on. We have, you know, Italian Fest there in June.
any given day you can find, you know, people just like playing catch with their dogs. I think. I don't know if they, people [00:37:00] still still do it, but like, you know, just like a dog meet up in the park and you know, people just, oh yeah, we're meeting here at six o'clock with all our dogs and, and you know, we take our kids to play on the playground there all the time.
Um, it's just a great. Little sanctuary in, in the neighborhood. so right next to Calvin Fletcher. Calvin Fletcher shares kind of like a courtyard right. On Virginia on the cultural trail, with, you know, this courtyard with Blue Beard and Amelia's mm-hmm. Kind of make up the three businesses on the sides of this courtyard.
And it's like, you know, it feels like a little piazza in Italy or something. I do agree. Like, it's just like where you can go and count on seeing somebody, you know, or like the rare time that you don't like, just sit outside and read for a while, do some work on a nice day. Um, it's just like such a lovely little gathering space for the community.
Michael Zarick: The guy who owns [00:38:00] Blue Beard mm-hmm. And Amelia's. Mm-hmm. He owns both.
Abby Reckard: Mm-hmm.
Michael Zarick: He told me that Amelia's was. Inspired by a bakery in Louisville. In Louisville. Okay, cool. Um, called the Blue Dog Bakery. Okay. Um, so I always think about that. I just think it's funny that that guy I think he owns a lot of things.
Pat. Yeah.
Tom, Tom m he's on my list of people to talk to.
Abby Reckard: He's done so much,
Michael Zarick: but Amelia's is, is lovely. Blue Beard I hear is lovely. I haven't gone in yet. I know you hype it up. It's like the best restaurant. What are the, what are the re I'm a huge restaurant head. Where? Yeah.
Abby Reckard: Well, blue Beard I think is like the best restaurant in the city.
Um, milk tooth. Like, I mean, when they opened, gosh, however long ago that was, that's a breakfast spot, right? Yeah. Breakfast and brunch. Um, won so many awards and it's, oh God, it's so good. Um, we are, so this is, I don't know like how official it is yet, but it's definitely happening. So, La Margarita just closed their found square location.
They're [00:39:00] opening up in the factory of hearts, but they're also opening a new. Like moving to where Aroma used to be in Fletcher Place building. We tried
Michael Zarick: to go to La Margarita. And the day we went was like, the day it closed. I swear I had never been there. No, it's coming back. Yeah. That's funny. Coming back
Abby Reckard: two new locations.
So that's really exciting. We love the mark, um, boss for us at oh my God, Turkish restaurant. That's like
Michael Zarick: the peak of my list.
Abby Reckard: It's so good.
Michael Zarick: I ha It's so, because it's so far south, I haven't gone, but I love, well it's literally like Turkish big blocks
Abby Reckard: from Calvin Fletcher, like, yeah. Yeah. So that that was like, that restaurant has been there since before like any of the others.
Um, it's been there, gosh, I think like 2007 or 2008. Um, my brother had actually just gotten back from a semester abroad in Istanbul. Oh. And so like, we were like, oh, let's go check out. There's supposed to be this new Turkish restaurant, like, I think. It's kind of close to downtown. I don't know. So like, we [00:40:00] went there in 2008 and there was like nothing else going on in this neighborhood.
And um, I remember going and my brother was like, oh yeah, this is like really authentic Turkish food. This is so good. We talked to the owners like they're from Istanbul. this is really good, but like, what is this neighborhood? Like, where are we? This is, and now like however many years later,
Michael Zarick: so what is like, I don't know how to ask this, other than the Lille Bønne what's next
for Fletcher Place? For
Abby Reckard: Fletcher Place I think there's a lot of excitement and energy around community partnerships that we've done with other neighborhoods and like tactical urbanism and kind of recognizing like how much collective power we have for, it's going to your head a little bit.
Like, oh, we can make shit happen. Happen. Um, but I think, I think even, everybody in the neighborhood we have, you know, again, our, our neighborhood association is really active right now. And I think it's, [00:41:00] you know, I've heard a lot of other neighbors, like, this is cool to see like stuff actually getting done.
And it feels like we've got a group of people who are like really actively invested in making positive change happen. I don't know. I'm a firm believer and like, you can't change the world, but you can change your little corner of the world. And I think that, we're, we're trying to do that and have a group of people who are trying to do that.
Indianapolis more broadly, you know, there's, there are so many conversations around like the creative economy and like really highlighting like creative. Lines of work and even just like bringing creativity into your everyday life. Um, like I love the work that GANGGANG and Pattern are doing around this and that, you know, plenty of others.
But I think that like, we're kind of realizing like you don't, there are no credentials required for starting something or having an [00:42:00] impact or making a difference. Like you can just kind of get together with your neighbors and say like, oh, what do you think about this? What, what should we do about this?
Within the neighborhood association, within, the connections with other neighborhoods, we're working on, obviously like infrastructure, but also, you know, kind of, trying to keep homes and residences for families That again, that that whole can of worms in, in terms of housing and stuff, but like housing is a big part of it.
Michael Zarick: You know,
don't feel the, don't feel pressured to answer. Are you into like more denser housing? I think I asked you this before,
Abby Reckard: I think, not in the middle of your
Michael Zarick: neighborhood, but there's, there's space around there.
Abby Reckard: Oh, I mean, like housing density I think is like what, what makes a neighborhood or a city accessible mm-hmm.
Um, for people of varying, in varying incomes and, yeah, I think density is super important. And I, and that's something that we've talked about as a neighborhood before, is like, how can we make sure that, Fletcher Place isn't [00:43:00] inaccessible? property values are rising and that's a good thing for the people who have, you know, own houses here.
but we don't want it to mean that. That new people can't move in. we wanna make sure that we've got like a wide range of available housing, and that people aren't being kicked out of their apartments because the landlord has decided to turn them into short-term rentals instead of long-term rentals.
you know, I don't think we've really identified exactly what the right next step there is. but I think just having a conversation, hearing from neighbors, you know, what their concerns are. so yeah, I think, you know, there's, there's infrastructure work that we're doing and housing, um, affordability work that we're doing.
And even like air quality. Like I was at a public meeting last week with, a bunch of neighbors, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management who issues, you know. Permits for companies that want to increase their emissions and all that jazz. And so like we have a neighborhood that's [00:44:00] really playing, paying close attention to what's going on around us and like at least participating in those conversations.
I think so often people think that I can't change anything, so I won't even show up. But I think it's been encouraging for me at least to see how many people are showing up at least to pay attention and to,
when you recognize that there are a lot of people that care about the same things that you do and then want the same things that you do, it feels a little bit more empowering and hopeful to advocate and fight for those things.
And I think there's a lot of that happening in Fletcher Place right now and in the whole city and, and in neighborhoods all over the country. I think we are, recognizing our collective power. slowly but surely. And
Michael Zarick: let's hope, let's happen. Are you, are you on your neighborhood board? Mm-hmm. Okay.
That, that checks out? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I think we can wrap up. Okay. Just 'cause we're going not long on time, but we're reaching there. We've got you. But I [00:45:00] told you earlier, I have a question from the previous guest. Okay. Oh gosh. Uh, it's not that crazy, but I will. It's just, um, it says, uh, Kate Grimm, uh, who is the previous guest, she said, who would win in a fight?
The big skeleton at new fields or the big statue in the square.
Abby Reckard: The big statue in the, what's the big statue In the square? I,
Michael Zarick: that's all she said. I'm assuming
Abby Reckard: big statue in the square. I know. Funky bones at Newfields.
Michael Zarick: See, I didn't know either one, so I felt a little left. I guess if
Abby Reckard: I don't know the other one, it's probably losing, right?
Like if I don't know who this is. Maybe I should have done due diligence at research. Maybe like what if all
Michael Zarick: of the, all of the statues at the, I'm gonna use the Soldiers and Sailors monument. Like, what if all the people in that monument started to animate
Abby Reckard: swear it's a circle.
Michael Zarick: I know. It's famously
Abby Reckard: a circle.
What is a square?
Michael Zarick: Have I failed
Abby Reckard: statue in the square? I don't know. I don't know. But I'm gonna go Funky Bones.
Michael Zarick: okay.
Abby Reckard: I'm gonna go funky bones.
Michael Zarick: See, I, she mentioned the, skeleton and I didn't even know what it was. I totally [00:46:00] failed as an Indianapolis resident.
Abby Reckard: That's fine. That's fine. So Funky Bones is like this big, um, it's like a skeleton that's like laying flat on the ground.
Yeah. And you can like jump on across on the bones. And it was featured in, it was actually a replica that was built in Pittsburgh where the Fault in Our Stars was filmed, even though it was set in Indianapolis, by our native John Green. so yeah, it's in the like a Hundred Acre Woods, which I think.
They're calling like the Virginia B Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, but you know, kind of like Deer Creek or whatever. We still call it a Hundred Acre Woods. It's the same thing.
Michael Zarick: It's like, uh, there's like a shopping center in Louisville. I still call, the Summit even though it's been called the Paddock for like 15 years.
Yeah. Like, well
Abby Reckard: this is what it's always gonna be. Um, so yeah, I guess I have to go with Funky Bones
Michael Zarick: So it goes Yeah. Maybe I'll text you if I figure out what the other statue is and I'll get the updated answer and patch [00:47:00] it in. Okay. Okay. Um, but it sounds like you're passionate about Funky Bones.
Abby Reckard: I mean, I, what I am passionate about is like art and placemaking and I think that, so actually, I was in college, doing a semester in Italy and it was for like a renaissance art history class.
We had to write about, like. Contemporary commissioned art and like the a Hundred Acres, a Hundred acre Woods, whatever, Newfield's, art Nature Park was like in progress at that time. And so it was really cool to get a chance to like research that. And, um, you know, it was happening like in my home, my hometown, um, and kind of see like, okay, like all this commissioned work, like going into this like community art space, like interactive art.
Michael Zarick: What's the best spot other than [00:48:00] Newfield's maybe? 'cause it's an art museum. Like where's the, where's the, where do I go Seek out art? It's obviously everywhere. Like we talked about Megan Jefferson.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. She's got murals everywhere. Um.
Abby Reckard: I mean, the Harrison Center has been doing it so well that's on my list for so long. Um, they are the ones that kind of, I think, started the first Friday thing that happens all over the city now of like open galleries and they do so much good, like, yeah, experiential, interactive, like community based art, placemaking, the Harrison Center and I think like Factory Arts, like they have so many artist studios and like if you go to First Friday there, there's always like cool new stuff happening.
Big Car. They're working on like a new art museum down there in Garfield Park and they have, community art spaces and artist residences. And I think there's just like a lot of groups that are, really heavily investing in. And community art and place making. Um, and so yeah, Indianapolis feels like just such a good, obvious fit for [00:49:00] something like Lille Bønne.
It's like, you know, as much as ego would, would like to think that like, oh, I'm like doing this new thing that nobody's ever done before. Like as so many people are out here doing it already. And like, there's so many good examples to draw from an inspiration to draw from of like people right here in Indianapolis who have been doing this sort of thing for a really long time.
There's no unique ideas. No, nothing new wanted that truly. Um,
Michael Zarick: we recorded the last podcast at the Stutz and I was really impressed to learn about the sort of, art support Yeah. That they do there. Yeah. I thought that was really cool. It's a really neat space for, for art and artists. Yes. The stunts is another.
Yeah. Um, so I thought that was neat as well. great. One last question. Okay. What is your question for the next person? It doesn't not have to be about third spaces or you know, giant statue battles. Yeah, yeah. It can be about whatever you'd like.
Abby Reckard: When are you recording? Because there's like some timeliness to the thing that I think I'm
Michael Zarick: not really, I'm, I think the next recording [00:50:00] is next week.
Okay. Um, but we may reschedule. We'll see.
Abby Reckard: Okay. So my question then is like, how many games is it gonna take the Pacers to beat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. So are we gonna, are we gonna win and are we gonna
Michael Zarick: actually, that that time I hope will work out.
Abby Reckard: Are we gonna, I like you're not leaving, you're
Michael Zarick: not leaving room for them to lose either.
no.
Abby Reckard: It's like, how many to win? Are we gonna sweep in four? Is it gonna go to game seven now? When the
Michael Zarick: episode releases will not be timely, but that's, that's okay. No,
Abby Reckard: but this is, this is the energy I'm putting into the world right now is just Pacers domination all the way. I think they got it. I think they do.
So you didn't grow up here. But let me say the net. The last time the Knicks faced the Pacers or the Pacers faced the, Knicks more aptly said, um, in the Eastern Conference finals was like when I was a kid like Reggie Miller and Rick Smith's, Patrick Ewing. Like it was epic. And I feel like I can like my heart, like I'm already [00:51:00] getting like hot and like worked up about it.
Like there will not be a peaceful moment in this city for however long that series lasts. We're all, that's so funny. We're all real hype.
Michael Zarick: So I'm not giant on sports, but I will say, and this is really important to me because this ties into this podcast, is that I lived in Arkansas, for a number of years.
Mm-hmm. And in Northwest Arkansas, actually the entire state, they don't have any professional sports. Yeah, yeah. So the entire state. Is behind the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Okay.
Okay. The University of Arkansas.
Abby Reckard: Okay.
Michael Zarick: When I lived in Arkansas, I became a sports fan because of this, because of, because this giant community force of the Arkansas Razorbacks was infectious.
Yeah. When the Razorbacks were winning, everyone was happy and smiling and the Razorbacks were losing, everyone was in a bad mood. So, and I find that so compelling. It's [00:52:00] as someone who, again, like football is really hit or miss for me. Right. Basketball can be fun. Uh, I, I think my go-to sport is soccer, but there's not a, it's building up.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Abby Reckard: Um,
Michael Zarick: but I think this sort of, emotional force intense that is, that is sports. Uh, I always think about my, my. Uh, stepfather who his entire mood was dictated by from break U of L winning or losing in Louisville. I just think it's so, interesting as like a, a community effort of Yeah.
You know, you are not a direct participant in this sports game, but you also are. Exactly. Um, that's, that's what I love about sports. And I, you know,
Abby Reckard: one more plug for Fletcher Place, one of the best places, one of the best bars that I've ever gone to watch Pacer Game is the dugout. Mm-hmm. The dugout has been around since like 1954.
It's like a [00:53:00] OG dive bar and like, Ooh. It's a fun place. It's also watch sports. It's also
Michael Zarick: very well priced, in my opinion. It's not expensive.
Abby Reckard: Yeah, right. Well, and they've done such a good job. Like it's had new ownership since, you know, I don't know, like five plus years ago. And they've expanded a ton, but they still have like the original little section that hasn't changed since like, I don't know, the eighties.
Like it's just like, it's such a good, it is a, it's a great bar at the other section that feels like really new. And then like live music at stage and like the patio. So it feels like three or four bars in one, but like go to the old side, go the original side, watch the Pacers and then 'cause what is it?
Game, Gainbridge, I can never remember what it's called, is just like a half a mile from there. Mm-hmm. Like it is like the next, you cross over, uh, go up Virginia, you're right there. So
Michael Zarick: you know that, um, go deeper. Is it, I think it's this week or is it [00:54:00] next week? Game three is like the most dangerous day of the year in Indianapolis because it's the Indy 500.
It's Game three of the Pacers and the Nets. And the, the Feed. Nicks. Nets. Nets.
Abby Reckard: Brooklyn,
Michael Zarick: thank you. I'm not a sports guy. Okay. And Fever is also playing on that day, so there's a triple threat on that day. Oh, what a day. Don't, don't drive through downtown. So exciting. Don't drive through Speedway. You will just stay home, stay put, stay pushed.
Ride your bike. Do the Pacers have like a, a chant or a cheer or is it just like, go Pacers? There's the yes is thing they're doing right now. I like that actually. It's
Abby Reckard: nice. I like it too. Yeah. Yes.
Michael Zarick: Apostrophe, CERS, sir. Mm-hmm. I thought that was,
Abby Reckard: but they're such a fun team and they, so I am a basketball person.
Like I, remember I was like in the fourth grade and I was like determined to be the first woman to play in the NBA and I was gonna like [00:55:00] be on the Pacers team. And then I, my initial reaction to the WNBA forming was like, what the hell? That's not fair. Like, why can't we just play with the men? Which is like, whatever.
It's fine. It's good. There's a long conversation about this. Yeah, it's good. You have talking about having other podcasts. There's a whole podcast. My initial reaction is like a 10 or 11 year old's like, wait a minute, but, they're a good team.
They're just so fun to watch. They play together so well. They're like, they've got such good chemistry. I will
Michael Zarick: say. They need to work on their rebounding. That's my beef.
Abby Reckard: Well, yeah, they're, they're a high powered offense, like not a great defense. Everyone knows this, but so far we've made it work. Alright,
Michael Zarick: so we'll go Pacers.
Go
Abby Reckard: Pacers.
Michael Zarick: Against, against the Knicks. The Knicks. Not the Nets. Not the Ns. Okay. That I, this is my last thing. New York Knicks Nets, Jets, they all run. I.
Abby Reckard: they've
got. And they a lot of there too. And they obviously have the Yankees, but that's what it works. White Sox or
Michael Zarick: White Sox is Chicago. Is Chicago. I [00:56:00] know that
Abby Reckard: much.
Uh, yeah. Mets Mets, Mets, jets, Mets, Mets, jets. There. It's, that's what we're
Michael Zarick: looking for. And the Yankees. Why are they like this? Change a name.
Abby Reckard: I
mean, let's not go down far.
Michael Zarick: All right. Well thank you Abby, for joining me. Thank you so much. This has fun. This has fun. This has been Third Space Indy Thanks for listening. See you next time. And I'm gonna give you a high five. High five. It's how I'm ending all my
pockets. Love it.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Third Space Indy If you want to find Abby or Lille Bønne down in Fletcher Place, you can go to lillebonneindy.com/.
It's kinda hard to spell, so there'll be a link to that in the show notes. You can find those at thirdspaceindy.com, and you can also follow along at @ThirdSpaceIndy on Instagram, where I post small clips content.
You know, assorted things like that. And you can also reach out to me through Instagram in the dms [00:57:00] or thirdspaceindy@gmail.com. Please send me your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. I wanna hear from you.
Thank you as always. To the local artist, Jennasen for lending me her song,
Scared Rabbit.
It's featured as the main theme song for Third Space Indy
And thank you so much
for listening.
I hope to share the next episode of Third Space Indy with you. Have a great day.