New Association Brings Arts Community, Residents Together

The members of ADDBAC enjoy the sweet life. Pictured (from left to right): Bernie Szuhaj (Marketing Chair), Rachel Davidson (Secretary), Cherie Piebes (Vice President), Jill Zaniker (President), and David Schoenenberger (Treasurer). (Not pictured-Linda Waeiss, Membership Chair)

As Carmel’s Arts & Design District continues to grow and prosper, some area business owners are coming together, united by a common vision for the community: one that includes positive business owner communication, philanthropy, and giving back to the community, not to mention enticing more foot traffic into the District.

The result? ADDBAC, or Arts & Design District Business Association of Carmel. The organization is the brainchild of local business owners, including Jill Zaniker and Bernie Szuhaj, co-owners (along with Lynn Wiegand) of the Simply Sweet Shoppe and Second Story Playhouse, 30 N. Rangeline Rd. ADDBAC is designed to bring the District’s business owners together for a common cause.

“Our goal is to use ADDBAC as a tool to improve communication between business owners in the area, and to promote various charitable efforts, as well as to create meaningful events within the community,” says Zaniker, president of the not-for-profit group.

Any District area businessperson can be a part of this association, and there are varied levels of participation. With a board made up of six enthusiastic and driven business owners, the group aims to make a positive difference for not only the surrounding District business community, but for Carmel residents as a whole.

“We are really trying to use creative thinking to help grow the District in a positive direction. We hope that other local professionals who want to truly make a difference; to be actively involved in the community, will come and join us,” says Zaniker. “Our organization’s tagline is ‘Adding Back to the Community Together,’ and that’s just what we plan to do,” says Zaniker.

“ADDBAC’s first event takes place on Oct. 10, and is going to be community-minded, where everyone is welcome and people of all ages will find something to enjoy,” says Zaniker.

Zaniker is referring to Second Saturdays, a recurring event that will take place on, you guessed it, the second Saturday of a given month, with the idea being to keep visitors “coming back for seconds.”

Bernie Szuhaj, Marketing Chair of ADDBAC, serves delicious treats to Treasurer David Schoenenberger and Secretary Rachel Davidson inside Simply Sweet Shoppe.

Designed to be family-friendly, Second Saturdays will feature entertainers and performing artists on a main stage, located in the National City Bank parking lot at Main St. and Rangeline Road. This month, the jazz band, What’s Up, Doc?, will be featured, as well as comedy group INDYPROV and other local performers.

The work of local artists will be displayed throughout the District in front of area boutiques, restaurants, galleries and specialty shops. Attendees will also be able to take advantage of special promotions and discounts at District retailers throughout the day.

“It’s going to be a great day for the District, as residents can get outside to enjoy the fall weather and celebrate our arts and design community,” says Szuhaj, ADDBAC Marketing and Public Relations Director. “We will also have the Indiana Blood Center’s Bloodmobile on location, where attendees can take some time out to donate blood and make a difference in someone’s life.”

Other features of the day include:

Breakfast at the Lodge. On the fringe of the District, visitors can enjoy breakfast at the Carmel Masonic Lodge #421 from 7-10 a.m., located just west of Carmel High School at 310 1st Street, N.E.

A good read. The Friends of the Carmel Clay Library Fall Book Sale will take place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring thousands of gently-used books, audiobooks, CDs and videos. The library is located at 55 4th Avenue S.E., across Main Street from Carmel High School.

Second Saturdays are also scheduled for November 14 and December 12, and Zaniker says that each month will have a different focus. For instance, December’s event will be holiday-themed, while in January, a chili cook-off is in the works.

“While Second Saturdays are a great opportunity for family fun, we also want to use the events as a vehicle to raise money for an annual scholarship,” Zaniker says. “We hope to grant a scholarship at the end of the school year to a graduating Carmel senior who plans on pursuing a degree in the arts.”

Zaniker hopes that through the efforts of ADDBAC, the District can continue to see positive growth, and can become known as a premiere arts and design attraction in the Midwest. If you would like more information about ADDBACK, contact Zaniker or Szuhaj at 317-818-9866, or at Bernie@30northrangeline.com.

Photography by Jennifer Alderman