Closing of Loon Lake Lodge restaurant marks end of Laughner family era

  • Comments
  • Print
Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
This audio file is brought to you by
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
  • 0.25
  • 0.50
  • 0.75
  • 1.00
  • 1.25
  • 1.50
  • 1.75
  • 2.00

The Laughner family has closed the Loon Lake Lodge in Castleton, ending a 122-year run of owning restaurants in Indianapolis.

Chip Laughner opened the wilderness-themed restaurant with a seaplane affixed to the roof in 1998, after the family’s
once-booming cafeteria business faltered.

The 13,000-square-foot building on 2.6 acres northwest of Interstate 69 and East 82nd Street is being offered for sale with
an asking price of $2.8 million, said Steve Delaney, a principal with Sitehawk Retail Real Estate.

The Loon Lake Lodge NASA opened a science and math academy for minority and low-income students at Martin University. (IBJ Photo/ Perry
Reichanadter)

The restaurant chain Quaker Steak & Lube, based in Sharon, Pa., is considering opening a restaurant in the building.
Hotel developers also have expressed interest in the site, which is near several hotels, including a Hampton Inn, Drury Inn
and a Hilton.

Chip Laughner, now 55, said he couldn’t handle running Loon Lake after he suffered a stroke in 2005, and losses have
piled up over the years. His 34-year-old son, Chad, and 83-year-old father, Charles, also had helped run the restaurant.

He said there are still Laughner family members in the restaurant business, including his daughter Stacey Laughner-Ramsey,
who is managing partner of the Longhorn Steakhouse on Southport Road at Interstate 65.

The Laughner family operated the Laughner Cafeteria and Dutch Oven restaurant businesses, the last of which shut down in
2001.

Please enable JavaScript to view this content.

Story Continues Below

Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated.

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In