Lynne Boone, Owner of Boone Docks on the River Bed and Breakfast Tell us a little bit about your story and why you chose Broad Ripple Village to be the home of your business. I grew up here, starting back in the ‘40s, so I’ve seen Broad Ripple grow and grow and grow. We would ride our bikes all around, one of my brothers worked at an old bowling alley here, and my friend Claire and I would help with the merry-go-round that was in Broad Ripple Park, which is now in the Children’s Museum downtown! Growing up then was care-free. I’ve always been in Broad Ripple and in the ‘80s I moved into my house – the current bed and breakfast. I used to work in the interior design business, but in the ‘90s I started the bed and breakfast in our home. Since then, we have enjoyed meeting a lot of different people from all over the world. The house was built in the ‘20s, and I added some design to the house, tried to fix it up, and did the landscaping. It’s been a great and fun time. We’ve had guests come for more than 25 years. When downtown got all the new hotels, many of the bed and breakfasts started to lose the conference/convention business, but there’s definitely a lot of other guests for business! I have guests come from out of the state who have heard so many positive things about Broad Ripple Village and they want to come check it out. Growing up with Broad Ripple you don’t think how big of a deal it is, but then you see these people come from outside of the city, outside of the state, and you realize it is a big deal. How many years have you been located in Broad Ripple Village? Boone Docks on the River Bed and Breakfast opened 26 years ago, but I have been living in Broad Ripple since 1947. How would you describe your business, and why should people visit you? It’s very relaxed and quiet here. We are located a block from Westfield Blvd, right on the White River. People like to have peace and tranquility, and when they come back here there’s no noise. The location is just really great; it’s so close to Broad Ripple and close to downtown. The first floor is the common area, we live on the second floor, and the lower level is the bed and breakfast area. The space has its own side entrance into the room, and guests are welcome to have friends over, enjoy our outdoor space, and bring bikes to hop on the Monon Trail. We have sentimental, reoccurring guests, along with parents of Butler students, Broad Ripple Art Fair attendees, and people just interested in exploring the Village. Can you share with us an experience you had with a program, initiative, or interaction with the Broad Ripple Village Association that could help others understand the BRVA’s impact or mission? I used to go to meetings after we initially joined, and I always thought the meetings were very informative. The BRVA is always trying to solve problems, and I think they do follow through. You see things announced in the Broad Ripple Gazette and then see it being worked on and completed. The people in charge are really working hard on projects. I think the BRVA has become an adult now and is really taking on their responsibilities and following through with the work that needs to be done. Also, in general, I think Broad Ripple has done well with the information and events they put online, because that’s how a lot of people that come to town say the found the activities and shops in the area. What is your favorite thing about the Village? How about place to eat? Shop? Place to go? The first thing that comes to mind is nostalgia because I’ve been here for so long. I really enjoy the restaurants – eating out at the local places. My girlfriends and I run into Broad Ripple for lunch. One of my favorites is Union Jack – we love going there, it has been there forever and we’ve had some crazy parties there over the years. We also like to go to Petite Chou, Flatwater, Plump’s Last Shot, and Monon Food Company. I like to shop at Good Earth all the time; I’m on a first-name basis there. What excites you about the future of Broad Ripple? To think that Broad Ripple has been here since I was a kid, and to think that at my age, for the last 70 years, I’ve been able to go to Broad Ripple and call it home, that’s just really exciting to me. I feel really good about the possibility of the Village’s continuance. I think all the merchants are smart enough in their businesses, there’s a diversified list of businesses in the Village – tech, salons, restaurants, etc. – and I think that shows a sign of continuance. Broad Ripple has reason to keep going. ![]()
Stay at Boone Docks on the River Bed and Breakfast to be on the White River and near the Monon Trail. Lynne and Michael Boone’s place is located at 7159 Edgewater Pl. Interested in joining the BRVA? Click here!
