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A new restaurant is planning to open in July in a building near the intersection of 54th Street and Keystone Avenue where two previous restaurants served customers across six decades.
The Shadow Lounge will follow Marco’s Restaurant & Lounge and Capri Italian Restaurant at 2380 E. 54th St.
Capri opened there in 1963 and moved to 2602 Ruth Drive, where it continues to operate, in 1984. Marco’s opened in 1985 and permanently closed in 2021.
Fred Leachman, manager of Shadow Lounge, said the new restaurant plans to offer a “steak night” special—which proved to be a durable hit for Marco’s.
“We’re going to have a base menu, but I’m going to take after some of the things that Marco’s already had in place,” Leachman said. “The neighborhood always appreciated Marco’s.”
A distinctive red neon star will continue to be part of the sign outside Shadow Lounge, which isn’t the easiest place to find, Leachman said.
The windowless building is tucked among trees and bushes west of Keystone, and those “hidden” characteristics influenced the Shadow Lounge name.
“It’s off to the side,” said Leachman, an Indianapolis native. “You could tell people about that building every day, and they still wouldn’t know where it is.”
The 3,670-square-foot restaurant will present live comedy, spoken-word and music performances, Leachman said.
New Living Investments LLC owns the Shadow Lounge business. According to Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission documents, the members of New Living Investments are Don Butler Jr. and Stephen Pettigrew.
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Sounds like a story straight out of the Babylon Bee:
“New Mexican restaurant to open where 5 previous Mexican restaurants failed”
You aren’t suggesting that either of the previous restaurants in that location “failed”, are you? I mean, Capri is still going strong after 21 years at that spot and Marco’s was an institution for nearly 36.
Neither one is at that location today, which should make one ask why the next one at that location will have the magic formula.
Mainly, it’s humor. Relax.
Capri hasn’t been at the 54th steet location in at least 15 years, not for sure why this is even mentioned here. I know the owners and it’s been at Keystone for many years.
Because they WERE there for 21 years maybe and are part of the history of the place?
The author is simply providing some history. They were there indeed so why not mention it?
Actually 51 years
Craig, we always try to mention previous tenants of buildings in stories about real estate and retail. People typically recognize buildings based on their history, not their addresses. The fact that two successful restaurants previously called that location home over six decades was noteworthy.
I am very excited about the Shadow Lounge reopening this July in the former Marco’s space. This area is seeing a lot of new development and new businesses, and as a resident near the area – it’s highly welcomed and appreciated. There is still a lot of work to do from 46th and Keystone to 54th and Keystone, but it is happening slowly, but consistently. Looks like several office buildings are going to be razed soon, too. I grew up in this area when it was thriving in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – so it is exciting to see the progress. I could make a list of buildings that are neglected, and that’s on the owners of the properties, but it would be welcomed to see the City of Indianapolis be more aggressive with negligent property owners. Here’s to The Shadow Lounge and all of the other new businesses opening and investing in our community.
It’s rare that a restaurant lasts decades at any single location, the challenges of management, labor, staying relevant compared to new competition, changing trends in menu offerings, etc. are difficult obstacles to overcome over time. It speaks volumes to the strength of the operators of Marcos and Capri that they made it work for so long and the strength of the location that the neighborhood supported for such a long period of time. Can’t wait to see Shadow Lounge hopefully have a similar run in the building.