(Left to right) Tori, Lenzy, Crystal and Andrew at Indulge in Fortville.

“Indulge” is a new place to, well, indulge yourself!

Everybody needs to indulge every now and then, and when you do why shouldn’t it involve some creamy, cold ice cream with a cherry on top…in surroundings that make you smile.

That’s exactly what you will find at the newly-opened “Indulge” on Main Street in Fortville.

Formerly a five-and-dime store where you could find about anything – along with a soda fountain – back in the ’40’s, and another shopping spot called Phoebe’s Corner in the ’80’s, the space at 10 East Main Street is alive again with customers for a new place called “Indulge” – a spot for ice cream, candy, and the arts, too.

“We opened it as a soda fountain during some holiday festivities and it was such a hit, we decided to open it up as an ice cream parlor again!” says owner and Fortville resident Lenzy Hendrix. “It’s been three weeks now and we have gone through thousands of scoops of ice cream!”

Hendrix is an architect at his day job and was once an “imagineer” for Walt Disney in California. To this day, he enjoys working on themed architecture in casinos and restaurants. So with his Disney and architecture backround, along with a love of theatre, Hendrix has managed to “build” an ice cream parlor that looks like no other!

Inside the old five and dime store in downtown Fortville, Indulge is a throw-back soda fountain complete with baked goods, candy in all shapes and sizes, and hand-scooped ice cream.

“We call it where Lady Gaga meets Willy Wonka,” laughs Hendrix. “It’s pink zebra couches, paper-like chandeliers, and an old-fashioned soda bar made from repurposed wood. It’s bins of candy, including everything from skittles to fine chocolates Hendrix finds at a store in Anderson. Tables are set up in the back of the store for artists to display and sell their wares. “My vision is to have this place be the Mass. Ave. of the northeast side of Indy,” says Hendrix who is a big supporter of the arts, as well.

And yes, there is ice cream and plenty of it. There are milkshakes, sundaes, floats, malts, and a favorite around town – marshmallow cokes. “There’s an art to topping the coke with marshmallow,“ says Hendrix. “You have to be careful…if you trap the gases, it can blow up on you!

The staff of Tori, Crystal, and Andrew seem to all know how to make the sundaes and floats and they also serve up a lot of personality which helps keep customers coming back.

“Indulge” is a fun place to indulge yourself with a sweet treat or just hang out in the comfortable chairs and couches, do some work with wifi at a table, and soon enough be able to shop for some great artwork.

“You can indulge yourself here without spending a lot of money,” says Hendrix.

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