Ana Lezama believes that ghosts may visit her coffee shop from time to time.
She and her mother, Zorayda, founded the Mansion Society coffee shop in the administration building of the old Central State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital that operated for about 150 years in the Hawthorne neighborhood on the west side.
The abuse and neglect of patients at the hospital is an infamous part of the city’s history. Stories about what happened there have transformed into macabre legend passed on among westsiders and fans of the paranormal.
Rumors of ghostly screams, bodiless shadows and other paranormal activity in various buildings across the grounds have existed for decades among locals. Some teens would test their mettle by sneaking onto the grounds at night to brave the unknown for as long as they could.
One of those teens grew up and, by chance, helped the Lezamas set up their state-of-the-art coffee machines.
“Our trainer said he grew up in this area when this building was abandoned,” Lezama said. “He was telling a story about how he stole some things like soaps and a little vase from one of the buildings. And as he was telling his story, all the machines stopped working.”
Lezama has never seen ghosts at Mansion Society, but she’s seen enough to know something else is there.
“People tell us stories about ghosts here all the time,” she said.
The coffee shop is pet-friendly, so she often brings her dog. While there, the dog would sometimes begin intently staring at a wall. Patrons have reported hearing cats scratching to get in a side door, but finding nothing after a search.
Lezama doesn’t mind the ghosts that could be in the shop. To her, it’s part of the charm and timelessness provided by Mansion Society.
A vintage feel
Lezama and her family are Mexican immigrants. Her family moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s from Veracruz, Mexico, and settled down in Atlanta, Georgia. Lezama’s family moved to Indianapolis about 16 years ago.
In 2021, they were offered the opportunity to set up a coffee shop on the Central State Hospital grounds.
The Victorian-style administration building was built in 1938, but has since been converted into a communal apartment building. The building’s owners have worked to preserve much of the original facade and interior.
Many doors, fixtures and patterned ceramic tiles that greet patrons as they enter the building are original. The Lezamas scrounge through thrift stores and estate sales to stock the coffee shop with vintage decor.
Their latest finds are a pair of lamps from the 1940s that they use to adorn their bar.
“We try not to be too modern. We try to go with the building and go with the history,” Lezama said. “It kind of feels like half the stuff has always been here. Like this belonged here 30, 40 or 50 years ago.”
Mansion Society makes its own syrup, sauces and concentrates. Its pastries are made daily by a contracted bakery. Some pastries are shipped directly from France.
The point of the coffee shop’s authenticity, Lezama said, is to create an experience you cannot get anywhere else.
“We want people to be able to step back and experience the old school way of being served on a silver plate, getting your coffee served in a glass or ceramic mug, not in a paper to-go cup,” Lezama said. “You’re getting luxury. It’s like you’re in a Wes Anderson movie — where things are a little eccentric and timeless.”
At the heart of of progress
While Mansion Society aims for timeless, developers have worked to bring the rest of the Central State grounds into the 21st century. Apartment buildings, townhomes, commercial buildings and charter schools have been raised in developments across the grounds.
The changes in the area have attracted people like Layah Smerage, a recent IUPUI graduate.
Smerage, who lives in the Central State Mansion apartments, said she believes the new construction is making the area feel cleaner and safer.
“It’s just so cozy,” she said. “It’s really cool. It’s so peaceful. Honestly, just like being outside has made my mental health so much better. I saw horses yesterday! It really, honestly, makes the weird things living inside worth it.”
She said Mansion Society is fulfilling a crucial need for some folks in the area.
“There aren’t any cafes within a mile of here,” Smerage said. “You gotta drive to Speedway or downtown to get any good coffee.”
Staying put
Developers have asked Lezama to take up a prime spot in a shopping center elsewhere on the former Central State grounds, but she declined.
“Part of our charm is where we are,” Lezama said. “Yes, having a corner spot and a new place would be awesome, but this feels more special.”
The coffee shop just celebrated its second anniversary, and Lezama said she’s looking forward to getting more people to experience Mansion Society.
Smerage said she wishes Lezama success, but hopes the coffee shop doesn’t get too crowded.
“I mean, worst case scenario, if they’re too successful they can open up another one down the street,” Smerage said. “I hope the best for them. I love them.”
Location and hours
Mansion Society is located at 202 Steeples Blvd. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @heyEnriqueSaenz.
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