For years, many of the commercial buildings on Shelby Street sat vacant, a constant reminder of businesses’ disinvestment in the area.
But Phil Kirk, a realtor with @properties, has been on a mission to change that. In 2022, he and his brother Joel purchased their first commercial property, Yoke Pavilion, to help expand the southside’s cultural district.
“We want people to feel welcome,” Kirk said. “And we also want it to be a place that reflects the culture and energy of the neighborhood because, for a long time, I don’t think the commercial corridor has reflected that energy.”
Kirk owns three commercial properties around Shelby Street and Southern Avenue. He has kept renovation costs low to make leases more affordable for young entrepreneurs, new small businesses and artists.
That’s one of the reasons Garfield Park will welcome three new businesses before the end of 2025.
Harlot Apothecary
Providing a place for Indianapolis artists to sell their work has been a dream years in the making for local artists Vanessa Blanco, Jon Caldwell and Kendall Murphy.
Now, Blanco said residents can purchase art supplies and a variety of art pieces from roughly 15 Indy locals.
The absence of big-box art supply stores and the closure of Mystery Fun Club, a Fountain Square art supply retailer that held art shows, has left a hole for southsiders who don’t want to purchase art supplies online. Caldwell hopes their store will fill that gap and support art students.
“We’re able to sell pretty competitive prices on art supplies, which is something that I didn’t have in college,” Caldwell said. “So we think we have something to offer the community that the community doesn’t have.”
In addition to art supplies, the shop sells an eclectic collection of art pieces, from paintings to dioramas, leather costumes and more.
It’s a tough time for businesses big and small as employers across the country navigate economic uncertainty, according to a July 2025 report of business’ financial health. But Murphy said that’s why Harlot Apothecary, 2623 Shelby St., is especially important right now.
“Historically, people have always leaned on art and have always leaned on community,” Murphy said. “And I think that it’s a powerful thing to really try to create a space for people to be able to lean on those things, to give them comfort and to give them hope, during times of strife.”
In the future, the first-time business owners will set up an online link so artists can apply to show or sell their work.
Super Real Much
Cat Freeman, who has 20 years of retail experience, opened the original Super Real Much building while living in Brooklyn in July 2020. Its mission was to provide affordable vintage and second-hand clothes, accessories and home goods.
The Indiana expansion has been a long time coming. Freeman already sourced many items from the Hoosier state when she and her husband visited family in Frankfurt. Freeman said many Brooklyn artists, businesses and musicians have started to leave the area. So, she and her husband thought it was also time to change course.
The pair moved to Garfield Park last month to open the second Super Real Much at 2619 Shelby St., in a former gun store.
“Garfield Park, to me, is about as Brooklyn as Indiana can get,” Freeman said. “There’s just such a dichotomy of the haves and have-nots all in one neighborhood. And it just feels very familiar and sort of comforting in a way. This little block in Garfield Park, it’s just blossoming, and it’s exciting to see, and to be given the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Freeman will have a soft open in mid-October and will host a grand opening in November.
Garfield Park Farmers Market vendor
A popular food and drink vendor at the Garfield Park Farmers Market will open its first brick and mortar shop on Shelby Street, too.
Kirk said the name of the business is still under wraps. But he said there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase their treats.
“They’re going to maintain their presence at the farmers market, but their goal is to have their storefront fully operating in December,” Kirk said, “so that they can relocate all of their commercial kitchen and serve people throughout the week.”
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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