THE GOODS

Hearts of Gold

Support for mental health is part of the menu at Indy’s GoldLeaf café

By Julie Yates / Photography By Jennifer L. Rubenstein | November 20, 2022

SoBro is home to a café with a heart of gold. GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet is known for great coffee and mouthwatering breakfast and lunch offerings—and the décor serves up a feast for the eyes as well. The sapphire-blue interior is adorned with pieces of work crafted by local artists. Also notable is the niche the business has carved out in the community evidenced by its caring and accepting atmosphere, refl ecting the culture of the surrounding neighborhood.

Owners JC and Kristine Bockman ensure their business is a safe spot for all and have made it their mission to give back. Dine-to-donate days have contributed to the fundraising efforts of local IPS schools plus a nearby Montessori school. On Thursday nights during the colder months, “Cozy up with the Bockmans: Casserole Night” fosters a sense of community as harried parents connect with each other while picking up a dinner designed to warm families’ hearts as well as tummies.

Raising awareness of mental health is a main priority. The couple has chosen to support NAMI Indiana, the local organization of the National Alliance on Mental Health, through events and an annual weeklong art show. NAMI is dedicated to helping people who live with serious mental illnesses. They train volunteers, provide support groups, enable continuing education for professionals and partner with other organizations for systems change at the state level.

The Bockmans met in Seattle and lived in New York before coming to Indianapolis. It’s a bit of a full circle for JC since he attended Indiana University in Bloomington. They chose SoBro as the location for their café because the neighborhood’s spirit of acceptance closely aligned with their personal values. JC has a business background and attends to day-to-day operations while Kristine’s chef training enables her to concoct specialty espresso drinks, delicious sandwiches, wraps, pastries and much more. During the time both JC and Kristine worked for Tiny Footprint Distribution, relationships were developed with local vendors and some of their goods are incorporated in Kristine’s recipes or sold at GoldLeaf.

The café bravely opened in June 2020, early in the COVID pandemic. Following best practices, mandates and protocols, the Bockmans ran the business as totally takeout. It soon developed into a favorite spot to get a coffee or tea as well as the place to grab something scrumptious to go with it.

July 2020, the café held a special Saturday event to raise mental health awareness. In July 2019, almost a year to the date earlier, a dear friend of the couple passed away after years of struggling with mental health issues. An art show was organized by the Bockmans and held at GoldLeaf with a percentage of the café’s sales, as well as money donated, given to NAMI Indiana.

“Mental health struggles shouldn’t be a big deal or a scary thing, but it is. The stigma needs to be lost. People need acceptance to get through mental illness and know they did not have to get through it by themselves and that they are not alone.” —Kristine Bockman

Kristine and JC Bockman, owners of GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet

“In 2021, we wanted to do more. By then, we had indoor seating and lots of art on the walls. We were holding a First Friday art show every month to showcase five or so artists from the community. We thought, ‘What if we held the show the entire week before the First Friday of August and had the artists donate their pieces with art sales proceeds going directly to NAMI?’ It would be a positive experience where people could enjoy the art. That year we were able to donate $1,500 from art sales plus a percentage of café sales. It was pretty powerful stuff,” says JC Bockman.

The week-long event was held again this year. The whole gallery was decorated with donated art including jewelry, acrylics, photography, ink and watercolors. After the week ended, remaining pieces were set up on a smaller table available for purchase with funds going to NAMI Indiana.

“Mental health struggles shouldn’t be a big deal or a scary thing, but it is,” says Kristine Bockman. “The stigma needs to be lost. People need acceptance to get through mental illness and know they did not have to get through it by themselves and that they are not alone.”

According to statistics cited by NAMI, mental illness impacts all ages across all socioeconomic levels in the United States. Each year, almost 20% of adults are afflicted with a mental health issue while one out of every six children aged 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder. The ramifications include hardships on families, the economy and the burden placed on health systems that struggle to treat individuals in a timely manner. The pandemic and COVID have proven to be an even greater challenge to the mental health of all ages.

“NAMI Indiana is a good resource for people who may have someone such as a friend, daughter or son who is struggling,” says JC Bockman. “It is a great source because it directs people to where they can talk with someone and know you are not alone. Kristine and I are about creating happiness in people’s lives. People need to know there are safe places for people to get through mental illness.”

GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet is located at 1901 E. 46th St., in the SoBro neighborhood of Indianapolis.

Visit @GoldLeafCafe on Facebook or Instagram to view special events and offerings.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The shortened number makes it easier to receive help.

NAMI Indiana is located at 921 E. 86th St., Suite 130, Indianapolis 46240. info@namiindiana.org | 1.800.677.6442 | NamiIndiana.org

Unique artwork is everywhere at GoldLeaf Savory & Sweet.