BUSINESS

Open for Service ice cream social promotes equality

Gabby Ferreira

Open for Service, an Indianapolis-based organization that promotes nondiscrimination, hosted its first ice cream social Monday at Sub Zero on Massachusetts Avenue.

The event featured $1 off ice cream and two retrofitted rotary phones. Participants could dial their number into the phones to sign up for promotions from businesses involved with the service.

“It’s a way for businesses to get new traffic and celebrate diversity and inclusiveness,” said Josh Driver, the founder of Open for Service.

Additionally, the event helped raise awareness of Open for Service’s app, which helps users find nondiscriminatory businesses.

“I think it’s doing fantastic things for the community and community awareness,” said Melissa Albano-Barth, the owner of Sub Zero.

Since Open for Service’s creation about six months ago, more than 5,000 businesses worldwide have registered with the service.

“Consumers want to know where they can go and not be turned away,” Driver said.

Open for Service started because of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Gov. Mike Pence signed into law this spring.

“I noticed on social media on both sides it was very vitriolic, both sides were very passionate, and I wanted to create a way for people to have a voice but prevent a brick-through-the-window mentality,” Driver said.

“The whole Open for Service idea moves me to support welcoming everybody,” said Liz Ruddy, a customer at the ice cream shop. “I like to support small local businesses, plus the ice cream’s really good.”

Follow Star reporter Gabby Ferreira on Twitter: @Its_GabbyF.