Indianapolis, IN

Looking for a room in Indianapolis? Stay with Freddy, Jason and Beetlejuice — if you dare

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2024

Looking for a room in Indianapolis? Stay with Freddy, Jason and Beetlejuice — if you dare

Typically, you don’t want to think about murder when staying at an Airbnb. Those noises you hear at night are just the rumblings of an unfamiliar home. Probably.

But for one unique Fountain Square rental, horror-movie scenarios are part of the appeal.

For more than a year, Dennis Brackenridge has poured his time and money into nailing the details on a property much different than the 100 or so he owns around the city.

“I might have spent $1 million on this place,” Brackenridge said. “I’m at the point in my career where I just want to have fun.”

Toxic Reasons drummer’s winding road: ‘Holy s—! I’m in a real American rock band!’

For a half-century before Brackenridge purchased the building at 1122 Shelby St., the space was known for true, real horror.

It was a dental office.

“We found people’s teeth still in here when we got the place,” Brackenridge recalled.

He gutted the building with dual goals in mind: A short-term rental home based around classic and modern horror films, and an adjoining café themed around the same.

Black House Café and new Airbnb reach Indy’s horror fans

Black House Café opened last month, with drinks like the Never Sleep Again (an almond-milk horchata and espresso mix) and the Booberry (a banana and blueberry smoothie). Its detailed horror décor — fake newspaper clippings, a Jigsaw doll, a “Gremlins”-themed bathroom complete with a life-sized gremlin prop — quickly became a popular Instagram haunt.

A giant mural featuring the nearby Fountain Square Theatre façade and Brackenridge’s children fleeing Freddy Kreuger points the way to “dreams and coffee.”

But on the other side of the building, subtler and uncanny paintings of Norman Bates and Brackenridge in full Bates Motel bellhop garb welcome prospective guests to the rental space.

Another themed rental option: Immersive ‘Stranger Things’-themed suite turns a Bloomington hotel into the Upside Down

Sleeping among killers like Dracula and Freddy Krueger

The makeshift home features three bedrooms, themed after “Friday the 13th,” “Scream” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with “Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Dracula” and an immaculate “Ghostbusters.”

Local muralist Pamela Bliss, who painted the Kurt Vonnegut and Reggie Miller murals, worked on the building’s exterior. Graffiti artist Slice painted the interior, which includes a massive Beetlejuice in snake form along the living room and a perfect Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in the “Ghostbusters” bathroom.

A large wooden and repurposed metal dining room table was made locally, as was a coffin-shaped cabinet. Brackenridge and his team spent months stocking the place with much smaller details, as well: A realistic mask of Beetlejuice’s head, Camp Crystal Lake pillows, a succulent planter shaped like Chucky.

Brackenridge had originally planned to convert the space into some sort of 4-D interactive movie theater but pivoted to the horror themed rental and café. He is also planning a gangster-themed café in Irvington, with Bliss on board to paint a John Dillinger mural.

More: John Dillinger’s signed confession detailing holdup attempt nabs big bucks at auction

The rental will be available for $275 per weekday and $345 per weekend day, with a two-night minimum. It will host a free open house from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20, and reservations officially open on Jan. 22. Brackenridge recommends booking directly through Instagram at @indys_fletcherplace_experience, but it will be available through Airbnb and other services.

Future plans to enhance, expand rental and café

Brackenridge is also working on a rooftop patio for the rental unit, but it won’t be ready for this month’s launch.

Black House Café will also expand its indoor seating area. Manager Mari Ramirez Reyes said she and Brackenridge originally conceived of it as a walk-up space, but the unique look has lent to folks sitting around awhile.

“It has been wild,” Ramirez Reyes said. “People love the theme and the vibe. We didn’t know it would be so popular.”

Brackenridge hopes access to the café and Fountain Square draws like the Hi-Fi will add to his rental’s appeal. But the plan is to lean into the niche horror audience.

“It really breaks up the monotony,” Brackenridge said. “You are definitely not at home.”

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryEHAppleton.

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Indianapolis, IN

Greenfield native carries UConn to Final Four with game-winning three-pointer

Published

12 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Greenfield native carries UConn to Final Four with game-winning three-pointer

INDIANAPOLIS — UConn Huskies Basketball player Braylon Mullins is making his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana, proud.

WATCH FULL STORY BELOW

Greenfield native carries UConn to Final Four with game-winning three-pointer

Mullins’ three-point shot gave UConn the upset over Duke during Sunday night’s Elite Eight matchup in Washington, D.C., landing UConn a spot in the Final Four.

Mullins graduated from Greenfield Central High School in 2025 and became the school’s first-ever and only Indiana Mr. Basketball.

“It’s big play Bray. Like you knew that once he got the ball in that moment, he wasn’t going to shy away. He wasn’t going to be afraid from that moment,” Luke Meredith said.

WRTV

Meredith coached Mullins for six years. He says Braylon taking UConn to the final four is no surprise. He averaged 32 points per game in high school and was a hometown legend before Sunday.

“He’s Greenfield’s own. I mean, that’s what makes him so special is we talk a lot about just a kid from Greenfield, a normal, regular kid that went to a public school and didn’t go the prep route and stayed here and committed here, so there’s a real sense of pride here at Greenfield,” Meredith said.

Meredith says Braylon has made the shot a million times in his driveway at home. He is so proud that the world got to watch this time.

“It’s just a sense of pride. I met him here every single day for four years at 7:15 in the morning, so an hour before school, and that’s the foundation of success occurs when no one else is watching, so no one saw him putting that time,” said Meredith.

Braylon’s brother Cole is a senior at Greenfield Central. He says his brother has undoubtedly made his family proud.

“I think it’s crazy just to see. Like, it’s his first year as a freshman, so being able to go to the Final Four in your first year is special,” Cole said.

Poster image - 2026-03-30T184314.357.jpg

Meredith says that regardless of what happens next, this wave of pride through his hometown will be remembered for years to come.

“It’s pretty incredible, life-changing for him, and you know, to put Greenfield Central on the map,” said Meredith.

UConn plays Illinois in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, at 6:09 p.m. in Indianapolis.
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Indianapolis, IN

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

College Access • Culture • Community Impact • Championship Energy

The 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience will bring a high-impact lineup of events to Indianapolis, connecting students, families, and the community to HBCU opportunities, while celebrating Black excellence during college basketball’s biggest weekend. Scheduled events are as follows:

TOP MEDIA MOMENT (FRIDAY):

WHAT: Kickoff Press Conference & Official Game Ball Presentation

WHO: Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and members of the Indianapolis community.

WHEN: Friday, April 3 | 2:00 PM

WHERE: Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds

KEY EVENTS FOR COVERAGE:

HBCU Awards Ceremony & Reception

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Thursday, April 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM

➡ Honors local community leaders and top HBCU student-athletes, coaches & leaders

College Admissions & Scholarship Fair (VISUAL + COMMUNITY IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Friday, April 3 (9 AM–1 PM, FREE)

🗓 Sunday, April 5 (12–4 PM, ticket required)

➡ Students meet HBCUs, explore scholarships and attend panels

➡ Friday includes Pro Day Viewing + Meet & Greet

Friday Fun Day (Community Outreach) (STRONG VISUALS)

📍 Sankofa School of Success + Windsor Village Park

🗓 Friday, April 3 | 4:00–6:30 PM

➡ Student-athletes mentoring youth + food distribution

Social Justice & Civil Rights Panel

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Saturday, April 4 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

➡ Panelists include Sean Johnson & Dr. Heather Savage

Black Business Vendor Showcase (VISUAL + ECONOMIC IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Sunday, April 5 | 12:00–5:00 PM

➡ Black-owned businesses + community marketplace

🏀 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME (MAIN EVENT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
🗓 Sunday, April 5, 2026

Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Doors Open: 12:00 PM EST

Location: 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Parking: $10 per vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds

➡ Featuring top HBCU senior student-athletes from across the country
➡ High-energy, nationally recognized showcase of men’s basketball’s biggest weekend.
➡ Includes fan experiences, vendor activations, and community engagement

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Expands college access for local students

Showcases HBCU excellence nationwide

Drives economic impact + Black entrepreneurship

Combines sports, education, culture, and community

SOUND BITE:

“This is a can’t-miss moment for Indianapolis and for our future leaders. We’re bringing together the full power of HBCU excellence—education, opportunity, culture, and community—under one roof.”

— Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars

🎤 MEDIA CREDENTIALS & ACCESS

MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED for access to:

HBCU All-Star Game

Courtside coverage of events at Corteva Coliseum

Press conference and select VIP programming

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the 2026 HBCU Experience. For more information about the HBCU All-Star Game and Experience, visit www.hbcuallstargame.com or follow @HBCUAllStars on Facebook and Instagram.

For more HBCU All-Star coverage, visit Indianapolisrecorder.com.

Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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Indianapolis, IN

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

Published

2 days ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

INDIANAPOLIS — A young man has died following a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday night.

WATCH FULL STORY BELOW

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on northeast side

IMPD said it happened near the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais, which is an apartment complex off Binford Boulevard and 56th Street.

WRTV was in the surrounding neighborhood speaking with residents on Sunday, many of whom told us they were left saddened and worried following the incident.

“It just brings tears to my eyes,” Sheri Harley shared.

Harley has lived on Circle Boulevard, which is one street over from the complex, for more than 20 years.

“We’re a very close-knit neighborhood,” Harley said. “I know everybody that lives here.”

That’s how she learned about what happened just down the road from her home on Saturday night.

“When I saw that there was police activity at the apartment complex, I contacted one of my neighbors, who lives across the fence,” Harley explained. “They didn’t really hear anything, but there were two young gentlemen who walked through their yard [that they got on camera].”

According to police, IMPD North District officers were dispatched to the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais around 7:19 p.m. Saturday on the report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male near a playground suffering from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

The victim was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition. IMPD confirmed the victim was pronounced deceased in the hospital.

“There is no known danger to the public at this time,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Richard Ray said during a media briefing. “It appears by the basic, limited information that we have at this time that this was a targeted incident.”

It’s the latest incident involving juveniles to concern Indianapolis residents.

“I was raised where you respect one another,” Harley said. “You don’t always have to get along, but now they’re just pulling guns on one another and shooting.”

For neighbors like Harley, they just hope it doesn’t continue.

“Parents, please take care of your kids. Watch them… It’s very disheartening,” she stated.

While we were out on Sunday, IMPD officers were going around asking neighbors to share any information they had about the incident.

“We’re asking any individual that might have been filming, that might have any doorbell cameras or anything like that to come forward and provide as much information as possible,” Ray said.

They have not yet identified any suspects in the case.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the decedent’s name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.

An investigation into this incident is underway. Anyone with information or doorbell footage is asked to reach out to IMPD Detective Christopher Williams at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Christopher.Williams4@indy.gov. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

—
Casey Zanowic is the In Your Community reporter for North Side Indy. She joined WRTV in July of 2025. Casey has a passion for storytelling and is ready to showcase impactful stories that make a difference in her community. Share your story ideas and important issues with Casey by emailing her at casey.zanowic@wrtv.com.

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