NWI Business Ins and Outs: Parlor Doughnuts, Southlake Mall sneaker shop, The Boba Tea Cafe, B

Parlor Doughnuts is coming to Munster.

Joseph S. Pete

A hip craft donut and coffee shop founded by a dad who sampled different donuts everywhere he went while on tour with his son's band will soon open its second Northwest Indiana location in Munster.

Parlor Doughnuts is coming to Munster just a year after opening its first Calumet Region spot at 255 Morthland Drive in Valparaiso. It specializes in craft, vegan, gluten-friendly and keto-friendly small-batch doughnuts, including its signature layered donut that combines yeast and cake donuts. It also serves artisan breakfast fare and roasts its own coffee daily, importing beans from Brazil and El Salvador.

It plans to open this summer.

"As we approach our one-year anniversary of opening Parlor Valpo, we continue to be blown away by the support we have had from Northwest Indiana and are so excited to expand the Parlor brand to Lake County," said Parlor Valpo and Munster owner Marissa Barnes. "One of our key values is to create shops that facilitate conversation and community where friends and families of all ages can gather in a vintage American space that feels like the ‘parlor,’ a conversation center of 1900s Victorian homes, but with a modern twist."

The new Parlor Doughnuts will be located at 8130 Calumet Ave., Suite 102 in a newly constructed strip mall also occupied by Jamba Juice.

It will be located less than half a mile north of the longtime institution Munster Donut and the Dunkin across the street, creating a donut triangle on Calumet Avenue in Munster.

Parlor Doughnuts was founded in Evansville in 2019 by Darrick Hayden, his son Noah Hayden and restaurateur Josh Tudela. They picked up ideas from donut and coffee shops they visited while on the road with Noah's band.

Donut options include maple pecan, maple bacon, French toast, churro, campfire, bourbon caramel, raspberry pistachio, lemonade and dreamsicle. It also offers doggie donuts for good pups and light fare like acai bowls, avocado toast, breakfast tacos and breakfast sandwiches.

Parlor now has 25 locations in 10 states. It is rapidly growing, looking to reach 60 shops by the end of the year. The Munster location will be its sixth in Indiana. It's already hired 30 people in Munster.

Parlor been growing through franchising.

"My husband Wes and I are lifelong residents of Northwest Indiana and are excited to bring a business to our neighboring communities that values giving back, including a passion for supporting active military, veterans, educators, health care workers, and first responders," Barnes said.

For more information, visit www.parlordoughnuts.com.

Sneakerheads, lace up, hit the pavement and head out to the mall.

A new sneaker and streetwear store just opened in the Southlake Mall.

Laced Midwest, a "buy, sell, trade" sneaker shop from Fort Wayne, opened its second location on the second floor of the super-regional mall at U.S. 30 and Mississippi Street in Hobart, just off Interstate 65.

It first opened in the Glenbrook Square Mall in Fort Wayne two years ago and was looking for other markets where it would be a unique offering.

"We brought this model to Southlake because there was nothing else like it in the area unless they wanted to travel to the city. We wanted to bring the hype to the location and make it accessible and affordable for all," owner Peter Flores said.

Flores and his friends Serapio Gonzales III, Danny Assaf and Kafym Assaf started buying and selling sneakers early in the COVID-19 pandemic to make some money. It took off so much that they soon opened a brick-and-mortar store.

"I’ve always liked sneakers," he said. "I like the NBA players. I like the personalities. I like the culture and community of it. Sneakers are something we all have in common, whether you’re a doctor or work at Taco Bell. They bring the people together."

Laced Midwest stocks both vintage kicks and hot new releases like Tiffany AF1s, Jordan 4 SBs, UNC 5s, Cherry Jordan 11s and Panda Dunks. It also stocks streetwear like Anti Social Social Club and Revenge.

"We wanted somewhere where this wasn't too available," Flores said. "We’re making it more accessible so it's right in your backyard and you don't have to go to Chicago."

The store is located in the former Aldo on the second floor near Cooper's Hawk Winery.

"There weren't too many spots available at the mall," he said. "We wanted to be at the mall because it's a central hub people gravitate toward."

Flores said Laced Midwest tries to keep sneakers affordable and cheaper than what they would sell for in places like Chicago. It focuses on brick-and-mortar sales and isn't selling sneakers online.

Customers can bring in their sneakers to sell or trade.

"In general, we want to grow and grow the brand name. We want to reach the culture and the community," he said. "People see sneakers all over social media, on TikTok and Instagram. We want to make them a little more accessible for people."

Laced Midwest is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-525-5061, visit lacedmidwest.com or find it on TikTok or Instagram.

Video provided in partnership with The Times, JEDtv and WJOB. Sponsored by Strack & Van Til.

B Nail Lounge opened at 8317 Calumet Ave. in Munster, where it looks to offer luxury salon services.

Bach "Andy" Pham bought the 10,000-square-foot building. He's opening three businesses: B Nail Lounge, The Boba Tea Cafe and Viet-Ship.

The first to open was B Nail Lounge.

"We want to serve our local customers in an upscale nail shop," Kai Huynh said. "It's pedicures, manicures, waxing and different types of services."

B Nail Lounge has 40 pedicure chairs. It currently employs about 15 nail technicians and is looking to hire more. It recommends appointments but walk-ins are welcome.

"We look to provide the community with high-quality luxury services," he said. "Be ready to be amazed. We have experts in nail art who will create masterpieces that will turn heads."

It's open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-999-7999, visit bnaillounge.com or find the business on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.

The Boba Tea Cafe will open next door to the B Nail Lounge in a few weeks.

It will offer bubble tea in a variety of flavors including green tea, oolong tea, black tea and fresh fruit tea. It also will have smoothies.

"We wanted to bring a taste of Vietnam to the area," Huynh said. "We have been working very hard to bring boba tea, which is very trendy, especially for teenagers in Asia. It's something everyone should try at least once in their lifetime."

They have been building out the cafe, which will have 50 seats. The hope is to open in the next few weeks.

"We’re still thinking if we’re going to do food," he said. "If we do, we’re thinking Vietnamese food."

Viet-Ship will allow people to ship money or packages to Vietnam.

People will be able to go into either B Nail Lounge or The Boba Tea Cafe during regular business hours to arrange for shipments, Huynh said.

"We’ve been looking forward to these businesses, not just financially but to build the community," he said. "The people in Munster can explore the new concept of the nail spa and the new experience of boba tea, which is hard to find in this area. We purchased this building right on two big streets, Ridge Road and Calumet Avenue, and hope to be very busy and get a lot of business."

Bennett's Up Towne Shoppes in LaPorte signed up as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer.

Bennett's Up Towne Shoppes at 623 State St. will now offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items, in-store pickup for boxes and other services.

U-Haul, one of the largest moving companies in the country, has teamed up with independent dealers around the country since 1945. It has a network of more than 21,000 dealers across the United States and Canada.

Mezquitacos Restaurant has closed up shop in downtown Griffith.

"The home of the skirt steak" was long located on Ridge Road in the former K-Mart Plaza in Griffith. In 2020, it moved to 138 S. Broad St., taking over the former Sci Fi Donuts space in downtown Griffith.

It served homemade Mexican food like tacos, burritos, fajitas, tortas, tostadas, gorditas and so on.

A new pierogi concession stand at U.S. Steel Yard in downtown Gary has turned every Gary South Shore RailCats home game into Pierogi Fest, especially on dollar pierogi Wednesday.

The concession stand along the first base line by right field sells three potato pierogi with buttered onions and sour cream for $5 and five for $8. The large-sized pierogi are just $1 each on Wednesdays.

It's one of many concession options at the park, including hot dogs, Polish sausages, tacos, walking tacos and Ben's Soft Pretzels. 18th Street Brewery, which has locations in Hammond and Gary's Miller neighborhood, took over the former Devil's Trumpet spot this season after that Hobart-based craft brewery closed. It offers 18th Street's acclaimed craft beers like Candi Crushable as well as a limited food menu that includes pulled pork sandwiches.

The Dollar Pierogi Night on Wednesday is just one of many weekly promotions this season, including $5 signature cocktails for Sunday Fun-Day, all-you-can-eat hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts for $15 for AYCE Mondays, $3 tacos and $5 margaritas for Taco Tuesdays and $3 domestic beers for Thirsty Thursdays.

Righteous Ribs closed its sit-down restaurant at The Steel Yard in downtown Gary and is now operating as a mobile barbecue business that caters to backyard barbecues and special events.

Originally from East Chicago, Righteous Ribs serves ribs, rib tips, brisket, turkey, wings and other barbecue staples. It took over the former R & R Sports Bar & Grill space in the minor league baseball stadium in 2020. It was originally home to a Bennigan's when the Steel Yard first opened as a major downtown redevelopment project in 2002, but that national sit-down restaurant chain has long since gone out of business.

Also in pierogi news, Dan's Pierogies in downtown Highland completely renovated its dining room to have a "new, upbeat" look. The artist Ochoart did a personalized mural with the anthropomorphic pierogi that serve as the Dan's Pierogies mascot. The wall-sized mural depicts the history of the Polish restaurant that dates back to 1998.

Dan's Pierogies sells pierogies and other Polish cuisine for dine-in at 2945 Jewett Ave and also offers frozen pierogies to take home. It also does pop-ups and is especially well-known for its annual booth at Pierogi Fest in Whiting, where it draws some of the longest lines every July.

Brown Skin Coffee will soon provide Gary with a jolt of caffeine.

The new coffee shop is located at 1921 W. 25th Ave. by the Fresh Market supermarket just off the Grant Street exit of the Borman Expressway. It will serve single-origin coffee, loose-leaf tea and wines from around the world.

A soft opening is planned for Monday, to be followed with a grand opening that will include food and drink tasting, a jazz band and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"We are excited to bring the authentic experience of Brown Skin Coffee to Gary," said Shana Tate, a Gary native and CEO of Brown Skin Coffee. "We believe that our single-original coffee, loose-leaf teas and wine will entice the appetite of greatness for the citizens of Gary, Indiana. Our goal is to provide our customers with an unforgettable experience."

She founded Brown Skin Coffee as a mobile coffee bar based out of the back of a Mini car three years ago.

The business grew and she opened a brick-and-mortar location in Brownsburg in central Indiana.

The coffee shop aims to provide an authentic experience in a "cozy and elegant atmosphere" that gives people a place to unwind or socialize. The coffee house will hang the work of local artists on the walls, where it will be available for sale. It will have regular events throughout the week, including Wine Down Wednesday and open mic nights.

Brown Skin Coffee has a full espresso bar with drinks like a flat white, affogato and macchiato. Signature drinks include a Rolo Latte, Red Velvet Latte, Lavender Matcha Latte and Brown Sugar Babe Coffee. It prepares coffee in a number of ways, including with V60, Chemex and a French Press.

Non-coffee options include MUD/WTR and kombucha.

The cafe serves breakfast items like avocado toast, breakfast burritos, omelets, grits, biscuits and gravy and chicken and waffles. It also has a variety of baked goods like butter croissants, brioche bread, loaf cake and Madeleines.

Lunch options include quesadillas, air-fried Boujie Wings, a BLT wrap, a fajita wrap, a ham & swiss wrap, salads and soups like tomato basil and New England Clam Chowder.

For more information, call 219-281-2155, visit brownskincoffee.com or find the business on Facebook.

Alpha Family Resale is coming to Winfield this summer.

The thrift and consignment store plans to open soon at 10763 Randolph St.

"My wife and I want to help people in this area," owner Tim Koedyker said. "The first program will be for mothers and newborn babies who can't afford things. We looked at a resale shop to be the generator for the funds."

It's now accepting donations at its location at the Doubletree Plaza in Winfield, in the same shopping center as the Baja Restaurant and the Strack & Van Til that was previously a WiseWay.

"We just got some demolition done and are doing painting and fixtures," he said. "We're hoping to be open by the end of June or the first part of July."

The resale store will specialize in gently used clothes and household items.

"It's used clothing for people who want something new but are OK with it being old. People don't realize how much it saves the planet to keep these items from going to a landfill," he said. "We can find people that could use these clothes. The cost of everything is also going up whether gas prices or food. Everything is getting more expensive so this can help the community."

Alpha Family Resale also will sell household items like decor and kitchenware. It will not carry larger items like appliances or furniture. People can donate household items or clothes in bags in a donation bin out in the back of the store.

"We're going to help people afford things they normally couldn't," he said. "People can come in here and browse and see things that weren't in here yesterday."

The store is a 501(c)3-registered nonprofit that plans to pour proceeds into community causes.

"We're talking to the township trustee to find people that do need the assistance, for baby goods or something like that," he said. "Once our bills are paid, our rent and electrical and whatever, we plan to support nonprofit programs."

For more information, call 219-776-2779, email [email protected], visit alphafamilyresale.org or find the business on Facebook.

Ixxa Coffee Roasters & Plant Shop expanded in Hammond's Robertsdale neighborhood and is now offering seating for the first time.

The coffee shop and plant store at 1720 Calumet Ave. just opened its outdoor patio and urban garden Saturday, and also recently added an apothecary section. It previously focused on a to-go coffee business as plants take up all the floor space inside the cafe.

It was founded last year by Jose Marin, who does the coffee roasting, and his wife, Stephanie Mora, who runs the plant store. The married couple from Los Angeles added al fresco seating and a garden on the left side of the building.

"It's an urban oasis," Marin said. "There's an urban garden where people can take home a couple of tomatoes for dinner that night. We're about providing value to the customers and community as much as possible. We're in on the urban garden trend. People who want to grab some tomatoes or cucumbers are more than welcome to do so."

They also will grow peppers and herbs in 12 beds.

"They're available to taste for free," he said. "If you want to try something out, you can pick it off the vine. We want to encourage people to eat organic and grow their own food. They can see what it tastes like right off the vine or bring some to add to a salad for dinner that night. We'll have hanging herb gardens where people can take clippings."

The patio also has about 16 seats at several tables. They plan to have live music, hosting different artists out on the patio throughout the summer. Upcoming events will be posted on its Instagram page.

"Hopefully, we'll have some blues or jazz," he said. "We'll also host discussions of gardening, sustainability, native plants and the benefits of native plants."

Ixxa also recently expanded to add apothecary products.

"We have pictures and powders for moods, sleep, anxiety, pain, general illness, immunity boosting," Mora said.

It stocks Anima Mundi goods from Brooklyn.

"They are Costa Rican and indigenous healers," she said. "We've worked with this brand for awhile. They have pictures and medicine like sleep aides, to mitigate pain, for when you're feeling sick, for anxiety or a bit of depression. They have products that help with the mind as well as cognitive health, such as with mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps or Lion's Mane. They have health benefits so you don't have to rely on just pharmaceutical medicine. They work with nature for healing like with products for gut health and detox."

They are working to incorporate apothecary products into drinks at the coffee bar and looking to add other brands in the future.

"If you're sick and tired of putting chemicals in the body and really don't know or understand what's in them you can harness the power of nature, of herbs and plants," she said. "You can grow your own medicine from home. We're exploring herbalist tinctures and the healing power of nature."

Ixxa also is looking to add indoor seating, expanding its wholesale business to serve more restaurants and coffee shops and looking to offer subscription coffee packages in which people can sign up to get locally roasted coffee beans every month.

"We're very excited to be adding the patio space," Marin said. "We'll be creating the same vibe and energy sitting with the plants in a kind of urban oasis."

It recently expanded its hours to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 219-232-8138 or visit ixxacoffee.com.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Unbeatable Eatables, DRIPBaR Crown Point, Taco Depot and Flashback Antiques open; Da Burger House closes

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Business Reporter

Region native Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times of Northwest Indiana since 2013.

A stalled vehicle has resulted in slow moving traffic in the center lane on Interstate 80 between Harrison Street and Grant Street in Gary

Road work along State Road 912 and Interstate 80 will affect traffic across Lake County beginning Monday, June 5.