First comes loves, then comes marriage, then comes…a restaurant? Love is in the air, and these couples have taken their relationship to new heights and opened up a business together.
9th Street Bistro, Noblesville
Samir is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and has been working in kitchens since the age of 13. Rachel is newer to the hospitality industry, but says, “when you fall in love with a chef, I learned that the only way to spend time together is to jump feet-first into those crazy hours that come with a restaurant lifestyle.” At 9th Street Bistro the chef’s love for local, seasonal and organic ingredients truly sets his dishes apart. To learn more about 9th Street Bistro, check out their video from the Around the Table series.
Bica Café, Noblesville
Bica Café opened in October 2020 with one goal in mind: a European bakery and café serving Portuguese and Italian flavors. Isaiah Haymaker started as the chef and his significant other, Ana Platonova, joined him as a barista shortly after. Since then, their menu has expanded to include sweet and savory baked goods, lunch fare, and small plates.
The Cat Theater, Carmel
After a 30-year hiatus, owner Will Wood decided to reenter the world of theatre and since then, he’s been involved in nearly 20 theatrical productions in Indiana. When his next director opportunity came along in 2016, he realized he didn’t have an affordable performance space. That’s when Will and his wife, Deborah Wood, found The Warehouse, a 60-year-old building in Carmel’s Art & Design District that not only made the perfect spot for Will’s production, but for even more productions to come.
Dark Side Coffee Roasters & Coffee House
Over 15 years ago, owners Matt and Vanessa Emery went on their first date at a coffee shop. They began roasting coffee beans as a hobby after discovering its delicious taste until that side project became their passion and eventually, a business in May 2018. Two years later, they opened their coffee house, serving freshly roasted coffee and in-house baked goods and breakfast items to the people of Cicero.
Debbie’s Daughters
The Debbie in their name comes from Deborah, “Debbie” Downs, mother of five daughters and seven sons, meaning every night was a family gathering with home-cooked meals. When Debbie’s oldest daughter, Jessie, married Rocky, they knew they wanted to make delicious meals for their family, but with only the simplest ingredients and that’s how Debbie’s Daughters came to be: a family-owned small batch bakery and café serving baked goods using only simple, real ingredients made from people who want to share their love for food, for each other, and for their mom, Debbie. To read more about Debbie’s Daughters, check out this blog.
divvy and Woodys Library Restaurant, Carmel
How’s this for a “meet cute”? The couple featured in the header photo, Chef Richelle Rider and Kevin “Woody” Rider, met at a wine supplier’s tasting and married in 2005. Together they own Woodys Library Restaurant, located inside a 1913 Carnegie library in the Carmel Arts and Design District, and divvy, a small plates restaurant & bar at Carmel City Center. He oversees the business and operations and she manages the menu and food. Together, it’s a partnership made in foodie heaven.
Dooley O’Tooles, Carmel
Dooley’s is one of Carmel’s oldest restaurants, serving up American fare since 1985. And when you visit, you’re bound to see owners Doug and Terri Kemp in the kitchen or on the floor serving hungry customers. Regulars have made Dooley’s their lunchtime spot thanks to signature dishes like the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, made with meat from Joe’s Butcher Shop & Fish Market.
Field Brewing, Westfield
Owners Gregory and Jackie Dikos aren't the conventional restauranteurs; he's an orthopedic surgeon and she's a sports dietician. Gregory is also a home brewer, and the craft beer hobby took off from there. Located on State Road 32 in downtown Westfield, Field Brewing's menu features pilsners, ales and lagers on the drink side and a rotating food menu featuring products from local farmers and artisans.
Mochi Joy Donuts, Fishers
Husband and wife, Tom Nguyen and Rachel Burnett, fell in love with mochi donuts when they tried their first one while living in California. After moving to Indiana, they discovered there were no mochi donut shops to satisfy their craving. That’s when, in 2022, Nguyen decided he was going to bring the first mochi donuts to Hoosiers and Burnett left her audiology career quickly after to join her husband. After operating out of Noblesville’s VFW the last few years, they will have a permanent location in Fishers coming in January 2025 to serve en-JOY-able, Hawaiian style donuts. To learn more about Mochi Joy Donuts, check out their video from the Around the Table series.
Mr. Muffin’s Trains, Atlanta
Steve Nelson, or Mr. Muffin, got into trains when he was a kid and had a dream of a layout of electric trains in his house. But why enjoy these trains alone when he could build a community of train lovers? That’s when his wife, Liz Nelson, or Mrs. Muffins, joined him to open their model train layout and collection in Atlanta.
Noble Coffee & Tea Company, Noblesville
In October 2024, former owners Mark Littler and Robyn Wilson transitioned the business over to Fishers couple Amy and Mason McDonald. Mason has a business coaching and consulting company and originally worked on this opportunity with a client. While they passed on the deal, they suggested the McDonalds take it. Their love for coffee shops and breakfast brought them together and now, they’ll continue to bring the community together through coffee.
Papa Fattoush, Carmel
Husband-and-wife duo, Ahmad Almaaitah and Elham Alhassoon, join Carmel’s international cuisine and bring Greek and Mediterranean food to the heart of Carmel’s Art & Design District. They use farm to table ingredients to serve a wide variety of dishes from vegetarian and vegan items to low-calorie and high-protein meals.
Peace Water Winery, Carmel & Fishers
Scott and Laura Burton are all about sharing simple acts of kindness and this is something their kids admired. But why only spread kindness to local strangers when you can share it with the world? Bringing the Napa Valley winery to Indiana, Peace Water Winery donates 50% of their net profits to charity and makes the world a more peaceful place, one bottle at a time.
Providence Home & Garden, Noblesville
“Community” and “nature” triggered a new adventure for co-founders Joel and Christy Kempson: how can they cultivate a community with nature? That’s when they built Providence Home & Garden, a community that brings together nature, home, coffee, and food lovers alike.
Rosie’s Place, Carmel & Noblesville
There’s nothing sweeter than turning a passion into a career. After raising her children, Debbi Bourgerie was looking for a new adventure. She and her husband Michael discovered a historic storefront in downtown Noblesville and opened Rosie’s Place, a breakfast/brunch/lunch spot and bakery, in 2010. The eatery quickly became popular among locals with omelets, eggs benedict and sweet treats like ooey gooey butter cookies. They opened a Carmel location in late 2018.
Songbird Social House, Carmel
Carmel recently welcomed this popular spot in October 2024, but owners Brian and Traci Karns seriously dreamed of the social house for the last three years and now, they’re experiencing their first adventure in the hospitality industry. They even attended a three-day course at “Pizza University” to ensure they serve the best-quality wood-fired pizza, along with other menu items, crafted drinks, and live music to share the art of enjoying life.
Unplug Soy Candles, Fishers
In 2015, husband-and-wife duo Jennifer and Joe Sturgill made candles as a fun hobby, wanting to decorate their homes with beautiful, fragrant candles. But after a year and a half, the hobby turned into an intense operation taking over their garage and basement. They began selling to family and friends, then at local farmers market, and now to thousands of retailers online and in-person.
Support these other local businesses in Hamilton County owned by couples.
Pearl Street Pizzeria & Pub
Urban Vines Winery & Brewery
For more information on local businesses in Hamilton County, visit our Things to Do page and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
