Southern-inspired eatery/wine bar to open on Mass Avenue

LouVino, which entered the Indianapolis market with a Fishers location in 2016, plans to open a second local restaurant next year–in the new Penrose on Mass mixed-use development being built at 530 Massachusetts Ave.

This will be the fifth location for Louisville-based LouVino, founded by Georgia natives Chad and Lauren Coulter in 2014. The eatery, built around wine and Southern-influenced shareable dishes, also has two locations in Louisville and one in Cincinnati.

The Penrose on Mass project includes 236 apartments, 40,000 square feet of retail space and a 379-space parking garage. The developer is a partnership of Carmel-based J.C. Hart Co. Inc. and retail firm Strongbox Commercial.

LouVino will occupy 4,700 square feet and offer seating for about 150 patrons. The space will include a mezzanine level, two private dining rooms, a lounge area and outdoor sidewalk seating.

Chad Coulter said he expects to start building out the interior space in October or November, with a targeted completion date in February.

He’s already predicting that the Mass Ave location will be LouVino’s best-performing site. “It’s a pretty hot place to be right now, with a lot of very successful restaurants and restaurant concepts.”

That creates a competitive environment, but it also creates opportunity for restaurateurs, Coulter said.

Some diners head to Mass Ave set on visiting a particular restaurant—but others won’t decide on a restaurant until they arrive. 

“There is a point where there will be too many (Mass Ave restaurants), but if you execute well, have good service, have good food, you’re going to be the popular place people want to go to.”

Elliot Checinski, the executive chef at LouVino’s Fisher’s restaurant, will become the executive chef at the Mass Avenue location. Aaron McGuire, currently the sous chef in Fishers, will be promoted to executive chef there.

The menu at the two sites will vary, Chad Coulter said. About half of each LouVino’s menu is made up of classics offered at all locations. The other half of the menu consists of seasonal items created by each location’s executive chef.

“For us, that’s kind of fun and keeps it fresh,” Coulter said.

LouVino’s also offers a selection of about 60 wines available by the glass at prices from $8 to $29.

The Fishers location’s seasonal menu currently includes a meat-and-cheese charcuterie board; crispy shrimp and grits; and a grilled asparagus/green bean salad. Classic items include bacon-wrapped dates, fried chicken tacos and warm German pretzels.