Pacers expanding team shop into former Jason’s Deli space

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Independence Day. It's a holiday that puts us in mind of some all-American favorites: sports, popcorn and hot dogs, to name a few. This week’s Property Lines includes all three. 

First, the sports-related retail news: 

After less than a year in operation, the Jason’s Deli at Bankers Life Fieldhouse has closed. Its last day of operation was June 29. Pacers Sports & Entertainment says it plans to convert the former restaurant into retail space so that it can expand its Pacers Team Store.

“Although we will miss having Jason’s Deli at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, we mutually agreed this was the best path forward as we continue our partnership,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Rick Fuson said in a prepared statement.

Despite the restaurant closure, Jason’s Deli will remain a sponsor of Pacers Sports & Entertainment until at least 2021.

The deli had been operated by DeliWorx Indianapolis.

 “I’m thankful for the opportunity to have had Jason’s Deli at Bankers Life Fieldhouse,” DeliWorx Indianapolis Owner and Vice President Kent Holt said in a prepared statement. “Moving forward, I’m thrilled to continue our valued sponsorship with PS&E over the next three years.”

Jason’s Deli has two remaining local shops: one at 11621 Fishers Station Drive in Fishers; and one at 4026 E. 86th St. Jason’s Deli opened at the fieldhouse late last year. Before that, the space had been occupied by a Dunkin’ Donuts; before that it was a Starbucks.

Now, on to the popcorn and hot dogs:

— Edinburgh-based Not Just Popcorn has opened a store in Greenwood Park Mall. Not Just Popcorn was founded by Carole Buck in 1989. The company sells popcorn in more than 400 flavors, including banana, dill pickle, taco and key lime.

— The hot-dog-and-sandwich eatery Portillo’s will open its south-side Indianapolis location, at 8150 U.S. 31, on Monday. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. 

Chicago-based Portillo’s, which is known for its Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs, was founded as a hot dog stand in Villa Park, Illinois, in 1963. It grew into a beloved chain of eateries contained mostly to the Chicagoland region. However, in recent years, the chain has begun spreading into other states and now has 57 locations.

The company opened its first Indianapolis-area store, in Fishers, in September. A third local store is in the works at 10444 E. U.S. Highway 36 in Avon. Elsewhere in Indiana, Portillo’s has a location in Merrillville and another in Mishawaka. The chain also has restaurants in Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

— Condado Tacos has set July 19 as the grand opening date for its first Indianapolis store. The restaurant, at 838 Broad Ripple Ave., will take the space formerly occupied by Village Tap Room and, before that, Chumley’s. Joe Kahn is the owner of the Columbus, Ohio-based chain, which operates four locations in Columbus and one each in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. 

Condado offers a build-your-own taco concept where patrons can choose their ingredients table-side by filling out an order sheet. Most tacos are priced at $3 to $4, and the restaurant’s hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

— Let’s round out the week with a factoid from the highway convenience-store chain Pilot Flying J:

The Knoxville, Tennessee-based chain says Ice Mountain brand spring water was the most popular food and beverage item purchased at its Indiana stores last year. Top-selling items varied widely. Meatloaf, for instance, was the most popular food/beverage item in Colorado, while Arkansas went for frozen yogurt and Mississippi’s top choice was a cup of ice. Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail stores in 44 states.