International Marketplace opens new welcome center
INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The International Marketplace Coalition has cut the ribbon on the new Global Village Welcome Center in Indianapolis. The 56,000-square-foot cultural center, which serves as the anchor of the 2.5-mile area on the city’s northwest side that is home to more than 90 businesses and more than 115 restaurants.
The coalition says the welcome center features galleries representing all inhabited continents, an event hall, gift shop and other functional spaces. During an interview earlier this month on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, International Marketplace Coalition Executive Director Mary Clark said the center serves as a place where everyone can come and find themselves.
“It’s a museum that celebrates all cultures and the wonderful thing, I think, about this museum is that approximately 99% of the artifacts that we have here have been donated from people all over the globe,” said Clark. “When people walk in our doors now, their eyes just light up and if they don’t see themselves – I can almost promise you to the person – a day, two or three days later, we’re getting things from other parts of the globe that represents these people that now call Indy home.”
The International Marketplace is located in the former Lafayette Square area. Clark says the marketplace also serves as a tool for the city to attract and retain businesses to Indy.
“It’s a piece that shows that Indianapolis, Indiana is a welcoming state, a place where everybody can find home,” she said. “If you don’t see yourself here in this area, you’re not looking too hard because we’re all here.”
You can watch the full interview by clicking here.