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.
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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.
16 Tech announces names for innovation hub, artisan marketplace
The innovation hub, expected to open early next year, is part of a $500 million, 50-acre campus along Indiana Avenue. The hub’s new name is a nod to the site’s history as the former Citizens Water headquarters.
Downtown restaurants, conventions could be stuck in downward spiral
The loss in convention business due to COVID-19 is starving downtown restaurants of customers. And without great restaurants, Indy isn’t as attractive as a convention destination.
Q&A with Hotel Carmichael chef Joe Hsu
The immigrant from Taiwan is deep in research and development for his new role as executive chef at Vivante, a French restaurant opening in Carmel’s luxurious Hotel Carmichael on Aug. 4.
Hogsett says city resilient, downtown to rise again
The mayor, who is in the first year of his second term, acknowledged the challenges—and even some naivete when it came to the riots. But Hogsett, a Democrat, said he’s confident in the ability of residents, the business community and leaders to address them.
Three new businesses transform Irvington building
The former Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance office now houses a coworking space, events center and bar. Also this week: Green District Salads, Old Pro’s Table, BounceU and Della Leva Espresso Bar.
As restaurants endure economic losses, others feel pain, too
The damage extends beyond darkened kitchens and dining rooms to the farms and wineries that supply them and the shopping centers that have grown to depend on restaurants as anchors to replace now-vanished stores that couldn’t compete with Amazon and Walmart.
Kite Realty sues Oceanaire, Mattress Firm over rent disputes
In both of the suits, Indianapolis-based Kite claims that the retail tenants are in default on their leases because they didn’t pay rent in April, May or June.
Chef and restaurateur Hardesty scaling back schedule after leukemia diagnosis
Hardesty, 51, said operations at his culinary business, Studio C, will be scaled back while he undergoes treatment over the next several months.
Barnes & Noble uses COVID-19 shutdown to refresh stores
It’s part of a chain-wide move to give store managers more autonomy. Also this week: Apocalypse Burger, Enterprise Car Sales, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.