Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 2002 — Page 28

FmDAY, DECEMBER 20,2002 ■ PAGE D1

INSIDE*D*SECTION*CLASSIFIED*REAL ESTATE

Rebirth of the Black bookstores

Donna Stokas-Lucas, owner of X-Prassion Bookstore & Gallery (left) and Angela Holmes, owner of Elevations Book & Coffee Shop. Holmes is holding a limited edition, print by Indianapolis artist Rod Trabue. (Photo/J. Hurst)

By NICOLE C. COOPER

After a notable absence, Indianapolis’s two premier Afri-can-American owned bookstores, X-Pression Bookstore & Gallery and Elevations Book & Coffee Shop have reopened their doors. X-Pression Bookstore & Gallery in its new home located at 970 Fort Wayne Ave. (offlO* h and Central, across from the Red Cross Building) has been serving the African-American community for over a decade. During X-Pression’s eightmonth hiatus, 13-year bookstore owner veteran, Donna StokesLucas kept in contact with her customer’s by maintaining the same phone number to allow orders to be taken and to provide updates on the transition process. X-Pression continued to have a community presence at cultural and educational events and by doing author book signings throughout the city. The transition, which lasted longer than Stokes-Lucas, anticipated was due in part to as she puts it, “Just finding a place that had the character that I wanted

the store to reflect” Asked about the origins of the bookstore, Stokes-Lucas reveals, “X-Pression Bookstore & Gallery started from my hobby of collecting; Black memorabilia and my interest in history. It has since grdtim into what tiie customers are interested in and want.” Stokes-Lucas notes, “Xpression carries merchandise that

mm&mmL

X-Pression

Bookstore & Gallery

Events:

X-Presslon Invites you to call 264-1866, or visit their new home, Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5

p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 21,10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Children can get pictures taken with an Afri-can-American Santa. • Saturday, Dec. 26 1-2:30 p.m M reading and bodk signing by author Wendy Woods Jackson, A Soulful Christmas Carol. Friday, Dec. 27, Kwanzaa celebration - Kujlchagulia (self-determination).

reflects the African-American lege scholarship cutbacks, I started cultural and heritage experience, selling my own personal book colbut is not just for Black people. X- lection from the trunk of my car to Pression provides a great oppor- my classmates. Not only did I earn tunity for other ethnic groups to enough money to pay for my .fusee the diversity and great history kkm, and buy a car, but (Ebony) of African Americans, most of Elevations thebookstore was bom.” which has been left out of the During its six-month relocation history books by building their Elevations stayed connected with own library of cultural enriched customers via phone and the materials.” Internet “The Internet allowed As a new benefit to its beloved Elevations to fill orders which we customers, X-pression announces delivered to customers for free,” the opportunity to become mem- said Holmes. Since its reopening bers in the Friends of X-Pression last May, Elevations has devel-

Club. For a $25 annual fee mem-

bers will receive discounts on store merchandise, on cultural and heritage tours, receive a newsletter and be invited to special mem-ber-only events. Elevations Book & Coffee Shop (formerly Ebony Elevations) maintains its Westside presence, in its new location at4202W. 56 ,h St., Suite Cl (off 56 th and Guion Road). During Elevations’ eight years of operation, it has grown from bringing books directly to the people and renting space within other stores to its first storefront in 1999. Angela Holmes, Elevations owner admits, “In 1994, due to col-

► See BOOKSTORES, Page D2 www.lamelevatlng.com or visit Its new home, Monday - - “ i.m.-7 p.m. and

“It's evatlons. Sexual ck-off lendshlp »ns'first hHh

Networking key to success

Don Jones, president of IRMSDC, said, “Our primary mission is to promote and cultivate successful

* * \ 0

■A ¥

enterprises In

open house In our new faculty was the best way for our members to inT#r«cT wren

W* »

Andre WIHIams, president and CEO of A and A Williams Deliveries Inc. waits patiently as

William "BM" Mays, president Mays Chemical Co* writes down vital contact Information. Williams' company was one of the more than 200 certified minority business enterprises that attended the recent open house sponsor by Indiana Regional Minority Supplier Development CoundL (Photos/John L Hurst

Judge orders records preserved in racial lawsuit against Dillard’s

BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) - A state district judge has ordered department store chain Dillard’s to preserve security records in a civil rights lawsuit against the

company.

State District Judge James Mehaffy ruled the Little Rock, Ark.-based chain must not destroy documents from any Dillard’s store related to security activities that did not result in formal police arrests. Twelve adults and six teens, all Black, sued Dillard’s on Aug. 30 claiming false imprisonment, assault and misconduct by secu-

the company destroying potential evidence under any circum-

stance.

"We’ll do what the law requires. Our job is to follow the law here, but I can’t imagine (document

rityguards in Beaumont and Port destruction) happening in the first Arthur in southeast Texas. place,” Rutherford said. “CerPlaintiff s attorney Cletus P. tainly, we’ll follow the rules.* Ernster requested the order The lawsuit seeks unspecified when he learned the company’s damages for “mental and emoheadquarters requested all se- tional distress, humiliation and curity notebooks, logs and other defrunation,” according to a news documents be sent to Little Rock, release issued by the lawyer’s "We believe these documents spokesman. A trial is set for next

contain evidence, not only for September,

our case but for the many like it The alleged run-ins with across the country," Ernster said, Dillard’s security occurred in referring to several instances in 1992, 2000, 2001 and 2002, acwhich Blacks have claimed mis- cording to the lawsuit Plaintiffs treatment at the stores. hail from Port Arthur, Orange, Dillard’s spokesman Skip Ru- Silsbee, Nederland and Beautherfbrd said he couldn’t fathom moot, all in for southeast Texas.

»>

Black Business Profile Information provided by business owners Name of business: One Stop Laundiy Address: 3670 N. Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218 Phone: (317)549-0133 Year opened: 1999 Owners: Mary and Jeffrey Cox Number of paid employ-

Products/Services:

Laundry services include washers and dryers for both residential and commercial loads, old fashioned ironing, old fashioned pressing, community outreach, vending, video games, gift

shop and tax service.

Significant business ad- Mary Cox

vances/achievements:

2001 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. We are currently the onl) card-operated laundromat to accommodate English, Spanish and French. We play gospel music and a customer service representa-

tive is always on duty.

Future goals:

Our goal is to have a totally card-operated laundromat Why did you start the business and how has it grown? One Stop Laundiy was started from watching the business go up and down and from listening to the needs of the community. We continue to grow daily by the grace of God, loyal customers and

constant marketing.

What are some <n die obstades you feced and how did yon

overcome them?

Some of the obstacles faced include our new concept and the business’ previous history. We have overcome these through our

great customer service and determination. Who does your business best serve and why?

Our business best serves all those who would like to be surrounded by a positive environment Our motto fe^iTWMh your

•rt'-.bhM..V .frr’.’.

clbthes, Wash your soul.

How has your experience hdped to meet the needa«f

your clients?

Our family experiences have helped our clients through spiritual growth, personal enhancement and community outreach. We have had an annual community day in our parking lot since opening in

April of 1999.

Where did you^et the name ofyour company and does it

have any significant meaning?

The name One Stop Laundiy came from the idea that acustomer

can do several things in one location.

IfjvuwouHBketobefeatundintbeRBCoider'kBiackBmintm

Profile, call 924-6143.

Indiana files settlement with Household Finance

$11 million in restitution for alleged unfair and deceptive lending practices in the subprime

lending market”

Indiana

has formally entered intoa settlement with Household Finance C o r p .

through a

filed this week in

rior Court.

consent judgment

Marion Supe-

Details on restitution procedures and eligibility wffl be announced in the next few months. The tentative aettfement wsa announced Oct 11, but the settle-

reached with i

“Household will change its representing at lea* 80 percent lending practices under the of the dollar volume of settlement’ Attorney General Household’s reel estate secured Steve Carter said, ‘and it will pay Indiana consumers about ►