Artisan gift shop coming to Fountain Square
The husband-and-wife owners previously sold their creations on social media and at craft fairs. Also this week: Joella’s Hot Chicken, SweeTie’s Gourmet Treats, Lily & Sparrow and Ross Dress for Less.
Restaurants
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Cracker Barrel launches ‘ghost kitchen’ test pilot in Indianapolis
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. is converting one of its Indianapolis restaurants into a food-preparation-only location as a way for the company to experiment with the emerging “ghost kitchen” trend.
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ClusterTruck expanding to Broad Ripple, Fishers
ClusterTruck plans to start deliveries in Broad Ripple on Monday and in Fishers on Oct. 8, marking an expansion of the food-delivery company’s suburban Indianapolis footprint.
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Broad Ripple tequila-and-tacos joint expanding to Fishers
The three principals behind Sangrita Saloon are adapting the high-end Mexican concept for the 4,000-square-foot Sangrita Grill & Cantina in the Yard at Fishers District culinary hub.
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Dick’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q latest downtown restaurant to fold
The eatery is the last of 10 Dick’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q restaurants that once operated in central Indiana.
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Articles
Survey: More than 40% of Indiana restaurant operators fear viability
More than four out of 10 restaurant operators in Indiana say it is unlikely they will still be in business six months from now if current business conditions continue, according to survey released Tuesday by the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association.
IBJ Podcast: Pete the Planner urges immediate support for restaurants, plus answers to burning money questions
We all know that restaurants have been devastated by the pandemic. Some have closed, and Pete predicts more are about to. He suggests determining how much you can afford to help and then spending that cash at two or three restaurants that are meaningful to you.
Hotels, restaurants face new conundrum: How to offer service without a smile
Six months into the pandemic, conveying warmth is the new hot topic among hoteliers and restaurateurs. Some are coming up with new ways.
All my takeout has delivered a mountain of trash. So I asked experts how to minimize it.
The stream of paper, plastic, aluminum and glass that came through my door from roughly 30 takeout orders shocked and depressed me. I accumulated enough waste to fill two recycling containers—nearly 100 gallons of space—not to mention a torrent of guilt.
International Marketplace district welcomes new, reopening restaurants
Meanwhile, plans are in the works for a $12 million International Marketplace welcome center and museum that would replace a former Value City Furniture store.
Oregon-based drive-thru coffee chain coming to Indy market
The Human Bean, which opened its first shop in 1998, is coming to Westfield. The local franchisee said he’s scouting Hamilton County for more sites. Also this week: Noble Roman’s, Big Woods and more.
Beech Grove Ponderosa, once a sales superstar, closes due to pandemic
The Beech Grove location’s owner, Fishers-based CMR Partners LLP, has also closed its three other Ponderosa locations since mid-July.
Soul-food landmark Kountry Kitchen set to begin rebuilding after fire
Its owners are planning to begin construction on a new, bigger building this fall, following the January fire that gutted its original home. Also this week: The W Nail Bar, Crazy Tortas.
Massachusetts, Broad Ripple avenues to reopen to traffic after Labor Day
Broad Ripple Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue were closed in May as part of the Dine Out Indy initiative to create more space for outdoor dining during the pandemic.
Prodigy Burger Bar’s growth plans include two former Stacked Pickle sites
Prodigy Burger Bar, which is under new ownership, is set to open its second Indianapolis-area restaurant this weekend, plus two more by the end of the year. Long-term plans include several more locations.
Crew Carwash taking over former CVS site
Crew got approval for the project even though it doesn’t conform to the city’s land-use plan. Also this week: Mass Ave Merchants Association, Prodigy Burger & Bar, Indy’s Burger Joint, Stage to Screen Catered Cabaret.
Carmel design center adding Le Peep as tenant
The group that owns and runs Le Peep restaurants in central Indiana is planning an eighth location.
Wendy’s, McDonald’s ready to revive chicken sandwich wars
One year ago today, Popeye’s fired the first salvo in the Great Chicken Sandwich Wars. And there’s no indication that America’s collective obsession with a crunchy bit of bird on a bun is going anywhere.
Noble Roman’s takes newest concept to Greenwood
The Indianapolis-based chain says it’s scouting sites for yet another Craft Pizza & Pub that it hopes to open by year’s end.
OpenTable’s new CEO sees shakeout looming for U.S. restaurants
The industry remains on track to lose 25% of its eateries nationwide based on the pace of reservations, according to Debby Soo, who took over this month as CEO of the restaurant-booking service.
Steak n Shake eases bleeding but faces roadblock in comeback plan
The Indianapolis-based burger chain wants to reintroduce counter service in its dining rooms but claims an agent of its lenders is blocking its attempts to sell restaurants to raise money.
Vonnegut Museum shifts gears on Bluebeard-managed cafe plans
Fletcher Place restaurant Bluebeard, which was the museum’s original choice of cafe operator, says it can’t tackle the project right now because of uncertainty around the pandemic.
Fine-dining Japanese restaurant opens downtown
Hinata, which opened July 31, promises to offer diners authentic Japanese cuisine. Also this week, Tina’s Traditional Tearoom, Colts Pro Shop, The Warehouse Sale.
Steak n Shake revives car-hop service at almost half its restaurants
In an effort to drum up more business during the pandemic, Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake is rolling out a modern version of a restaurant service method that was all the rage in the 1950s.