Welcome to Experience Michiana.

I'm the show's producer, Kelsy Zumbrun, and we have a great show for you today as we get out and explore Michiana with some of our favorite segments over the last couple of months, we had a lot of fun doing them.

We are going to head to Generation's Adventure Plex, which is where we met up with Irish Dave for the first time as he became one of our co-hosts.

We were going to Niles to Apotheca Teas, which is a wonderful and really cool place.

Wait until you see Kelly's hat in that segment.

We are going to Alloy jewelry, which is in downtown South Bend.

Courtney had a lot of fun exploring the custom handmade jewelry that is done there.

We are also going back to Niles to iron shoe distillery.

That's got a really cool story of how they got started and their name.

But maybe even better food.

Can't wait to share that with you.

But first, we are headed to create your canvas, which is some place that was let's just say, Courtney and Kelly made a mess of this segment.

It is time to bring out the inner artist.

And you can do that here.

Create your canvas in Burbon, Indiana, Kelly.

I'm so excited.

I am so excited.

And I was kind of thinking it's been a long winter.

We finally get to have a little color here.

Color is the right word for us!

And I am with us Susie Schaetzle, who is the owner here, at create your canvas.

And this is a beautiful space.

It's so bright and welcoming.

Thank you for being here with us today.

Thank you for having both of you.

Know, there's more that you just do besides like paint parties.

Tell us all the things that you have to offer here.

I have all things art.

I do the step by step painting, like like, for example, wine and canvas.

And then we do kids classes.

I have art kits, paint supplies, you name it.

We do food, art.

And then recently we started the Splatter Room and you mentioned that you have some of the kits that people can take home or you can ship them out to them, which I think is super convenient, especially for folks who maybe are a little bit further from Bourbon Indiana.

So tell us about those.

You have a book program.

What is the name of it?

Yes, it's called Brushes and Books.

I just started it last week.

Each kit is for kids, teenagers and younger kids.

You get like a wooden cutout that you can paint and you get the paints, the paint brushes and a book that goes with the cutout.

So for Easter, it's about a bunny rabbit.

And then online you'll have a code that you can watch the online video where I paint it for you.

And then I also read the smaller books to the children.

Now, we heard you have something called the splatter room.

Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

This classroom is exactly what it sounds like.

The canvases go up on the wall and you have all these neon paint colors and then you go in and you throw the paint on the wall.

It's a good stress reliever.

Jackson Pollock is like my favorite artist, and I feel like it's going to come out of me in this Experience.

Yeah, I'm just thinking of the I Love Lucy episode with a chocolate on each other.Is there something we can try, though, without throwing paint at me.

Yes, I actually have some canvases on the wall and paid for it already so you can try it.

We also have raincoats and goggles.

You don't have to wear the raincoats.

The paint is washable.

But I do request that you do the bottles because I don't want to in your eyes.

Not that you'll throw it at each other.

No of course not!

All right, so this is the splatted room, and as you can see, there's paint splattered all over the place, it's not over us yet.

Now I see this paint splattered on the walls.

Is that do we do it on the wall?

You can do it on the walls.

Obviously, people do.

But again, we are back here.

Oh, OK.

If you're in, your price includes the canvas.

I have a special thing for you guys.

Experience Michiana 2021.So make sure you splatter it too.

Oh, we will.

All you're going to do.

Really throwing the paint.

All right, I'll a sneak out of here.

So, Megan, for anyone watching who has never been here before and tell them a little bit about generations of intraplate, yes, it is the newest family entertainment center in the area.

And we have tons of stuff to do from Arcade, laser tag bowling alley, doing something for all ages.

It's definitely a great place for kids, but also a wonderful place for adults, something that this area is kind of lacking.

So that's what we want to bring to the area.

So from all the things that you have here, what is the favorite thing to do for adults?

Definitely axe throwing.

Really?

Yes, it's probably the closest one to us.

And people just love it.

They can't get enough of it We're booked up on Saturdays all the time.

Can anyone please explain when throwing an ax became popular.

I have no idea.

I really don't even know about it until I started working here.

All right, well, I love it and I'm glad I'm here today.

And, you know, C ourtney and Kelly are back here.

They're having way too much fun.

So I think we should join them.

Alright, Nathan, I've only been here a few minutes and we are having so much fun already.

I remember being a kid in Coney Island and having so much fun Oh, yeah, definitely.

Now the arcade is really cool how many games you have here.

We have in between 20 or 30 games currently and we're going to keep expanding as time goes on.

We're going to be at one hundred plus games eventually.

So it's going to be a massive arcade.

And whats your favorite one?

I've played a few and theyre all my favorite.

Right behind us, Connect-4 Hoops is a big popular hit.

We got Monopoly, you know, we got a halo, got a few others that are, you know, real popular, how do they play.

And just so we have a card system that you can purchase either kiosk, it is a minimum.

Well, you put any amount on it?

I guess.

But we do bonus credits, too.

So with the swipe of the card that will allow you to play, you know, depending on how many credits you purchase and then that also keep track of your tickets and everything else.

Well, that's great.

If there's a place where families can come together and have so much fun.

I'd love to stay and talk to you, But you got to go.

I got to go.

So I have Antoine, who is one of the Attraction Managers here at generations AdventurePlex, and you're getting me stocked up and ready for laser tag.

This is an awesome experience and this is another one that's great for all generations to participate in.

Yes, ma'am.

And we're so glad that you guys came out today just to have fun and enjoy yourselves.

So we have 20 events that are accommodating for everybody.

So you have a party of 20.

We can have two different teams.

We have two levels in our laser tag area also where we can play team games or free for all.

Today, we'll probably do a free for all just to show you guys how it works.

We have a fog machine in there.

That fog the area.

It's pretty fun.

And you guys have on Thursdays, you have unlimited laser tag and laser tag for twenty dollars a wristband from four to 10 and you can buy a wristband for twenty dollars and play as many games as you want on that day instead of paying eight dollars per game.

Awesome.

Wish me luck out there.

Oh you're going to win.

All right, so now we're doing the ax throwing and I'm here with Bryce Bryce, is this for anybody or just for adults?

You can be 16 or older with an adult to be able to throw.

Now, I've watched some YouTube videos where the ax comes flying back at the person's head.

Is that going to happen?

No.

We have you standing behind these black lines just in case of the backfire force.

I don't know.

Courtney is pretty competitive and she looks like she has a really strong right arm.

So, yeah, I don't know.

I have a feeling that the ax might come back today at us, but yeah, let's do a let's let's throw some axes at first things first as you guys and grab an ax.

You'll hold them at the bottom like this.

Oh have you guys started on one of the lines.

You'll stay together and it's just one step.

And its just straight through.

This is great.

Wow.

That's amazing.

OK, have Kelly.

Just saying, yes, she's wicked, she's like a real Viking.

Alright, remember I'm Celtic, so this is in my blood.

All right, come on, Yes!

ladies have it today.

I'm not the only one who sucks.

Arianna, They are so many activities here.

Just let me finish one.

Here comes another one.

And now we're bowling.

Now, I have to tell you, I'm not a very good bowler, so I'm going to need a little bit of help here.

Oh,what's the lowest Age, because I see this little tiny baby shoes.

Yeah, we let little like the little babies bowl.

Well, it depends on, like, if they can pull the ball.

But we also have the little push, real things that they can use.

So they're on the lane, the push rail.

What does that do?

You set it up on one of the lanes and then the little kids can put their balls there and then push it down and then it'll roll all the way down the line for them.

OK, well, I have my shoes on and I see we have all these different balls.

Is there a particular one that someone should take so they all go by finger size.

You have a ball.

It will show the size of what the holes are, OK, and then the weight as well.

So extra small would be for like smaller fingers.

Gotcha OK?

All right.

Well, I'm ready to go, but before I start.

Can I have one of those push railey things?

Yeah.

Here we go.

It's not a slide, OK?

You don't try and slide down there.

All right, here we go.

No, straight, straight, straight.

There you go.

Look at that.

You're the first person that needs this and Bumpurs, would you like me to put the bumpers on?

If you don't mind.

There you go.

Oh, my gosh, kelly.

There you go.

yeah.

She's found her sport.

There you go.

Well, that's pretty good.

Thats so much fun.

It was a great time today didn't we.

Covid.

Welcome to Apotheca Teas here inNiles Michigan and I believe the subtitles infusions and frivolity.

And one thing I really love about this place.

So you the vibe here is really cool.

And so you were going for Victorian steampunk.

Yeah.

OK, so I know a Victorian Steampunk you have to educate me on.

The easiest way to think about it is Jules Verne, 20000 Leagues Under the sea.

It's like a futuristic Victorian.

It's a reimagined future where some of the things that went wrong in the real future maybe didn't happen wrong in the fantastic view that you've got now.

You can you can have dirigibles, you can have airships, you can you can do anything.

There are no limits that we actually have to live with in the real world.

Your imagination rules.

What inspired you to open a tea shop?

Part of it was actually our own Experience and in England, seeing an entire culture that embraced the idea of slowing down periodically through the day to just enjoy that cup of tea.

Just that one thing that was right in front of you.

That was a huge part because Americans don't seem to have a cultural equivalent to slowing down and actually enjoying the moment.

So that was very, very important to us.

And that's why when you have tea here in our dining room is open, you have actual China that you've chosen out of a China shop, China cabinet, because we don't want it to just be the to go cup.

That doesn't pull you into a different place.

Our whole goal is for you to suspend reality at that door and enter a different place here.

I was looking around and you have some items here from local artists, from hats to jewelry.

We went into this with a very deliberate goal of allowing local artists, artisans, makers, because the steampunk movement is also very much a maker movement.

There's a different level of involvement in the items that you're using and seeing every day.

We wanted to encourage local artists who maybe only have one or two products.

You don't need a storefront, but they have got a wonderful contribution to the community.

So we we deliberately sought them out and kind of rotate some of them through.

We're surrounded by artists who have something to say and something to contribute.

And this gives them a place to do that.

Absolutely.

Well, we're also surrounded by lots and lots of tea and I am ready to sit down for some infusions and some frivolity.

Lovely.

Oh, my goodness you rock that!

I'm like all in the mood now.

Oh, your timer just finished, which means it's time to pour your tea.

So how would that work?

I oh thank you.

Oh OK.

So you put your strainer on top of your cup and then you pour through it and it catches the tea leaves.

I made you a hot cinnamon spice tea this morning, Nice.

And it enjoys it if you add a little bit of milk and sugar.

Oh my gosh.

I'll take one for now.

I might have to do two.

This is delicious.

I'm glad you enjoyed.

It is so good.

And it's one of our more popular.

You know, I know that you serve tea here, but really at the heart of it and your heart is serving the community.

It is you get to sit down with people in a different way when there's a cup of tea on the table in a way that it's difficult to describe until you've been able to experience it.

When the dining room is open again, we have flowers.

You can choose when after you've ordered your tea, you choose which flower is going to go on your table.

And if you're sitting here to table with a yellow rose, then you're inviting somebody to introduce themselves and sit down in a non creepy way because you've invited that.

And if you'd rather not, you just put a thistle on your table.

And they know that means that, you know, for whatever reason, you would rather not share your table.

And that's OK.

It's wonderful to have that kind of interaction that's not done in a socially awkward way.

Right.

So now what are your days and hours right now?

We are currently open Wednesdays eleven to seven and Saturdays ten to four, just regular walk up and we're open.

However, we are open by appointment all week long.

So nice to know that you can still enjoy some tea and visit Apothica teas, infusions and frivolity.

And you know what?

You're going to be leaving not just with tea, but definitely a smile on your face and possibly a new friend.

What I love about Michiana is all of the unique finds that you can find here locally.

And one of the new spots that is recently popped up is Alloy here in downtown South Bend at the Emporium.

And I have with us today Laurel, who is the owner and curator here.

Welcome.

Thank you.

And you've been here just for a little while now, but you've been doing this a long time.

Absolutely.

I've been a jeweler for almost 20 years and in South Bend, just working out of my home studio for over ten and just doing lots of art shows.

Some people may have seen my heartbeat and I do lots of shows in Chicago, up near Detroit, but then with covid and everything getting canceled, I decided it was time to maybe open a storefront and see where that went.

This is just gorgeous.

They love that piece and all of my stones are natural, OK?

I was completely untreated stones and I just like to show a really good variety.

So you're literally back behind the bench working to make these pieces?

Yes.

Yeah.

All the pieces that you see in here are handmade by me.

And I know there was a fossil over there that caught my eye.

Yeah, I love fossils so much.

They're one of my very favorites, natural history.

I like the idea of making this kind of look like a museum, and it really does.

I love all the fine details and touches.

And I know over here you are talking a little bit about what you're doing with bridal jewelry now, too.

Yeah, yeah.

I've been doing bridal for a long time, but not what you would call traditional bridal.

OK, so I have some roses cut diamonds and handbill settings in here, but I'm starting to work now.

Let me pull them up.

Yeah, I'm doing the design and working with someone who does cad.

So this is a ring that's already sold.

We have the diamond chose and we have a general idea of design.

But she wanted to see a couple of different options.

So we put together a few options here.

This is still going to be tweaked.

I have a feeling she's going to go with this one, but we're going to move these stones in a little and then that will be 3D printed cast.

And then I'll set all the stones.

And so anybody can just come in.

And I know you have some of these loose stones here, too, which I love it.

Well, of course I love the amethyst.

Yeah.

What's your favorite stone to work with?

That's an impossible question.

I mean, I just love Stone so much.

Some of my favorites are the dendritic stones, the ones that have the little branches in them.

Those needs a lot of customers look at these and think that I drew on them, that they're ink or something.

And they're not these little these are actually these are clear quartz with little crystal growths inside this.

Oh, my gosh, that's amazing.

And I always love, love, love anything trapped in a stone.

So like this is called well, often called phantom quartz or low to light.

And that's just a clear quartz with the minerals inside of it.

I want to drop it looks like a little garden.

Oh, that's beautiful.

But then rubies and sapphires I that I just love them all.

And I see this is your working desk, right?

This is my little studio here.

I do have my bigger studio at home, so sometimes I bounce back and forth.

Well, everything here is very beautiful.

You make it look effortless.

Yeah.

Awesome.

Well, thank you so much for showing us around.

Again, you guys are here in the Emporium.

What are your hours here?

I'm here Monday, Wednesday, ten to one, and then Thursday, Friday ten to four, and then Saturday eleven to three.

And people can check in on your Facebook page and on your website too.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All the information is there actually just I update the Google hours, so if I'm going to be closed for holidays, that's the best place to look.

The website is Alloy fourteen K so one four K Dotcom and the my website for just the jewelry is Laurel's bench dotcom.

OK, and.

That is a much more fleshed out website.

It has all my like my portfolio of work through the years so people could shop online too.

Yes, Perfect awesome.

Well thanks so much for having us today.

I'm going to keep on shopping because there's a few more pieces I think might look good on myself.

Wonderful Thanks Laurel.. And it is finally Friday and Michiana.

And I don't know about you, but I have been cooking all week long.

And you want to know something?

I am done.

I do not want to cook.

So I thought, hey, this is the perfect time to visit iron shoe distillery and get some great takeout.

So excited to be here.

And Laura, you are the owner and well it's family owned and operated.

I want to just tell you I'm very hungry.

I am super hungry today.

So very excited to be here, but is also a legend to this place.

I this place is great, but there's there's a legend.

The name Iron Shoe Distillery comes from Saint Dunstan, and Saint Dunstan was the patron saint of Ferrier's.

And so Ferrier's they do horseshoes and I'm an avid equestrian and my husband enjoys horses, our kids ride horses.

And so it all just came together when we were looking at this building in this spot.

And so we found that legend.

And so Saint Dunstan went around town and he nailed horse shoes above the doors.

And the idea was to keep all the bad spirits out so we make spirits.

And so our whole idea is only letting the good spirits in.

So in terms of good people, good vibes, and then the spirits that we make here, and I can't wait to find out more about the spirits, the good spirits in good spirits.

So the back big garage doors open up perfectly.

We have our still back there, all our big equipment.

And then this space we added on, we added the garage door.

So let the natural light in and we have an outdoor patio in the summer.

So it really just came together really well.

So you distill everything here and then you also use grains from local farm.

We do.

Right here in Niles we get.

Akorn right here in Niles, and we source everything else as locally as possible, so that's been really important to us.

And it's we live in the Midwest, so there's lots of farms, lots of fields nearby.

So it works out really well.

Well, I'm ready to eat, but before we got to have some cocktails, Laura.

All right.

That sounds good.

Michelle, you are the bar manager here.

Bartender, manager.

I have to tell you, it's been a long time since I've sat at the bar all by myself, and I feel like going sho shot shot.

Well, you do have a shot flight don't you?

We do.

We have a six shot flight for twelve dollars.

And each week we do different infusions with different flavors, with all variety of spirits.

And that's what's in these jars over here.

And then we list them on the board here.

So it keeps things new, fun and interesting each week.

So when regulars come in, they're able to try something new every week.

And I heard they're very unique.

I for one, I don't know if it's this week, but one that is infused with bacon.

Yes, we have done that in the past.

And the last week we even did all Girl Scout cookies when we just try to keep it fun and innovative and just it's a great way to try different things for sure.

Well, I was looking at some of the cocktails.

I know you're getting ready to make one for us.

Which one are you making?

This is our smoke show, smoke shows.

So what I'm doing is I'm starting off with hickory wood chips here.

We just top these off and the smoke gun and then I'm going to add maple old fashioned into the bottle.

That'll make it nice and sweet, right?

Yeah.

And we're just going to give this light here.

In here.

Wow.

But it gives the customer a unique experience, and then the longer you let the smoke sit in the bottle, the more that it'll infuse into the cocktail.

So but if you're wanting more of this smoky effect as it comes out, as you pour it, then you can pour it right now if you like.

Do you mind if I just take a sip?

Here I go for.

OK, here we go.

Cheers.

Cheers.

All right.

Here we go, guys.

Wow, wow.

Oh, my gosh, that is really good.

I'm not used to drinking too much, but I tell you, I'll take another one.

Right.

Perfect.

I'm getting the royal treatment here.

I got to meet the owner, the bartender and now the chef.

And what a spread here.

I mean, it's like a spread fit for a queen or diva.

Very fine.

But I'll tell you.

Why don't you tell us?

Because I tell you, this looks like I want to take a bite right now.

Can I do that while you tell us what it is?

It's definitely definitely this is our nachos here it comes with our house made nacho cheese.

We have a slow roasted pork that's on there.

Let's see here.

We got corn, beans, Jalapenos, the jalapenos are kind of spicy.

So if you don't like it spicy, maybe opt those out.

They are pretty spicy.

I love Spicy.

Let's see here.

I've got our house made barbecue sauce, Michigan cherry barbecue sauce with green onions and cilantro on top.

That is so good.

You know what we should have said?

What's not on there?

That is fantastic.

Oh, my God.

Did you come up with the recipe?

Yes.

Definitely.

Yeah, very, very good.

Now, what is this year's list of.

I heard about the famous burgers.

Which burger is this is going to be on our special for the restaurant week.

It is.

Let's see here.

We'll start with the basics.

It comes with a fig jam.

Those are all angus beef patty topped with let's hear Bharata Cheese.

It's kind of like a fresh mozzarella, but it has creamy mozzarella on the inside of it.

It's like a cheese dumpling kind of thing.

And it's delicious.

It's like some melty on their top with bacon and arugula in our house made garlic.

It really got fantastic.

I love it.

Yeah.

No, I love that.

That's fig jam too sweet and salty, I'll have some fries.

Oh yeah.

These are truffle fries.

They come with our truffle salt and parmesan cheese crushed in parmesan.

Oh my gosh.

That truffle is really, really good.

I mean what do we have here.

Here this these are crispy cheese curds here.

I heard about those for sure.

They're very good.

It comes with our housemates siracha sauce and this is our Cubano.

We did this on special a little while ago and that's going to be a special on our restaurant week here too.

It comes with our bread and butter pickles.

Mustard are slow roasted pork, honey, ham and all pressed on our grill.

Wow.

That sounds to me to be nice and flat delicious.

That sounds really good.

Now what are the hours that You guys are open.

We are open Wednesday, Thursday, 4 to 8 Friday 4 to 9 and Saturday.

Eleven to nine Sunday eleven to eight.

Oh you know what I wish I could wait.

We have to talk about dessert here.

OK, so I have the limoncello tiramisu.

It's really good to topped with blueberries.

And then this is a bourbon.

Vanilla bean pudding with strawberry on top.

Oh my goodness.

I can't wait to try it.

But you know what?

I promised my husband that I was going to get takeout.

I wish I could actually sit here and eat it all to myself, but now I'm going to have to get going.

But thank you so much.

The food is so good.

Everything is great for you guys.

You really do have to come on out here.

Come on down to visit, The Iron shoe distillery, bring your family.

Bring your kids.

Great food, great desserts, great drinks.

And you know what?

I got married just on New Year's Eve, and now I wish I would have waited until after I to get married because then I wouldn't have to share with my husband.

Just joking.

And that's it for today.

So thank you so much for being with us.

If you have ideas of things that we should get out and Experience make sure you let us know about it on Facebook.

Just use the hashtag Experience, Michiana, and we'll find out about it that way.

We are looking forward to a brand new show next week as we get out and explore aerial yoga.

Who's going to be hanging from the ceiling?

Make sure you tune in to find out.

And until then, have a great week, everyone.

This WNIT local production has been made possible in part by viewers like you.

Thank you.