It’s that time again – when an Indianapolis tradition opens its doors and signals the real start of fall. It’s the opening of The Apple Store on Thursday, September 1, on the grounds of Conner Prairie.
Since 1985, The Apple Store has offered the best hand-dipped caramel apples, cider slushies, apple butter and a wide array of gourmet foods. The store, operated by the women of the Conner Prairie Alliance, provides a great destination for visitors, but it’s much more than that. The Apple Store has been a significant revenue stream for Conner Prairie. Last year, proceeds from The Apple Store allowed the Alliance to donate $90,000 to the museum, including $80,000 to support the 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana exhibit, and $10,000 to support the 1859 Balloon Voyage, making 2010 the store’s most successful year ever. In fact, more than $385,000 has been raised in the last five years by the Conner Prairie Alliance for the museum.
The Apple Store will be in operation September 1 through October 30, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. It’s also open during Symphony on the Prairie September 1-4 and on evenings during the Headless Horseman in October. Visitors who come to The Apple Store on opening day will receive a 15% discount on all purchases.
So just how does The Apple Store raise $90,000 in its short season? By selling:
• 19,374 hand-dipped caramel apples;
• 6,929 apple cider slushies;
• 7,437 apple spice and pumpkin donuts;
• 3,620 novelty items like decorated pretzels and other seasonal items; and
• many more seasonal, Amish and local products.
Jackie Clark, 2011 Chair of the Apple Store, said, “We’re looking forward to another great Apple Store season with all of our traditional treats, including Indy’s best caramel apples, cider slushies, apple butter … and maybe a few new surprises! Our goal is for every person who comes into the store to have a great experience and find something they love – that’s what makes it so rewarding for all of us!”
The Conner Prairie Alliance was formed in 1982 as a small offshoot of the Junior League of Indianapolis. For the first three years, Alliance members decorated the Visitors Center and helped staff with Candlelight Tours. In 1985, The Apple Store was opened in a pole barn on the Conner Prairie grounds. In 1993, ground was broken for the current Apple Store building.
Currently, the Alliance has nearly 100 members, with a diverse membership of working women and stay-at-home moms. Any women who are interested in learning more about volunteering to support Conner Prairie are invited to join the Alliance on September 13 at 9:30 a.m. for a behind the scenes look at The Apple Store and a tour of Conner Prairie’s newest attraction, the 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana. To sign up for this event or to join the Alliance now, please call 317-776- 6011 or email ConnerPrairieAlliance@gmail.com.
For more information, visit the Alliance webpage at www.connerprairie.org/Join-Abd-Support/Alliance.aspx or visit the store on Facebook at The Apple Store at Conner Prairie.
