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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Florida-based theme restaurant chain licensed by the Ford Motor Co. has chosen Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville for its first location in Indiana, mall owner Simon Property Group announced Monday.
Ford’s Garage, a burger-and-beer eatery that offers “a vintage filling station vibe,” expects to open this fall in a 7,139-square-foot space next to Earth Fare and behind Cold Stone Creamery. The space formerly housed Mo’s Irish Pub, which closed last year.
The Fort Meyers-based chain has 11 locations in Florida and one in Dearborn, Michigan.
McGuigan Restaurant Concepts LLC, which runs eight restaurants in Florida, including Ford’s Garage locations in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Estero, will operate the Noblesville location.
Owner Mike McGuigan came up with the Ford’s Garage concept and opened the first location in 2012 in downtown Fort Meyers.
The chain began considering expansion outside Florida two years ago and began scouting sites in Indianapolis, Michigan, Cleveland and Charlotte, North Carolina—areas known for their ties to racing and the automotive industry. The Michigan location opened in summer 2017.
“After searching for a location around the Indianapolis area for well over two years, I chose the location at Hamilton Town Center because it met all of the factors that we look for in a location,” McGuigan said in written comments. “The actual space within the mall also was a perfect match for our design requirements.”
Ford’s Garage restaurants model their decor on a 1920s service station combined with a prohibition-era tavern. They include vintage Ford vehicles, gas pumps and fixtures, and bars featuring old brick, rich wood, and hand-hammered copper bar tops.
The menu focuses on gourmet burgers but also contains numerous appetizers and comfort food entrees such as meatloaf, chili, and macaroni and cheese. The bar will offer a large selection of craft beers, wine and cocktails.
“We are excited to host the first location of Ford’s Garage in the state,” said Megan Earnest, mall manager at Hamilton Town Center, in written remarks. “We strive to offer new and exciting concepts and experiences for our guests, and Ford’s Garage will certainly do just that.”
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