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Indianapolis-based restaurant group Patachou Inc. has closed the downtown location of high-end pizzeria Napolese because the slow rebound in downtown activity made the location unsustainable, the company said Wednesday.
The Napolese at 30 S. Meridian St. closed at the end of business on Saturday.
“It’s unfortunate, and we were sad to have to close,” said Maddy Barnas, Patachou Inc.’s marketing director. “That physical location was not viable any more.”
Barnas said all of Patachou’s other restaurants remain open, including its downtown Café Patachou location and the Napolese outposts in Meridian Kessler and at the Fashion Mall at Keystone.
All of the downtown Napolese employees were offered jobs at another Patachou Inc. restaurant.
The downtown Napolese opened in 2013. It first closed in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and didn’t reopen until March of this year, in advance of the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament, which took place mostly in Indianapolis.
“That was kind of like our test time to see how business would do back downtown,” Barnas said.
Patachou is privately held and does not disclose revenue information.
But the slow return of downtown office workers and conventions did the South Meridian location no favors. It was located at street level in the building that houses the corporate headquarters of Kite Realty Group Trust, between Washington and Maryland streets.
“That business corridor has just been slow to come back,” Barnas said.
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Hate to hear this. This was a great pizzaria restaurant. It is indeed a frustrating dilemma for downtown Indy. Because the pandemic rebound is so slow, combined with the absence of downtown workers, restaurants are still closing. As the restaurant count continues to deminish, it places a burden on organizers when conventions do come to the city. The vibrancy that attracted all of the large downtown employers is being lost as those same employers try to do what they feel is best for their employees and business. Meanwhile, although many suggestions have been made, nobody appears to to be stepping up to the plate to save Circle Centre after Simon removed itself from the project. This is one of many centerpiece attractions that is crippling the vibrancy and attractiveness of downtown. The city has never needed strong leadership as much as it does now.
Plenty more closures of restaurants coming in downtown Indy…
Blame the pandemic but also include BLM and Antifa.
Give it a rest, James P. That was 18 months ago and lasted 1-2 days.
Nonsense. Blaming BLM and Antifa is just spreading around more Fox News propaganda. It is disturbing to consider how many dittoheads we now have among us.
The pandemic AND the BLM riots are to blame. The comment about 18 months ago and 1-2 days is ignoring reality. It was just over a year ago and the stain on going downtown has lasted for many months and continues today as it does in many major urban areas. The financial impact of both has made it difficult for business owners.
Couldn’t agree more. Many buildings are still boarded up. Homeless camps are everywhere. What took this city years to build will take years to re-build, if ever. And what does our mayor offer up for “crime reduction efforts”. According to a recent article, more restraints on police, more civilian review of police, less prosecution of bad actors…… Nothing about fighting crime. I have lived here all my life and am heart broken to see what the Mayors office has done in the name of boot stepping with the Dems. After 20 years of Colt and Pacer season tickets I am done. It’s just too demoralizing to go downtown.
What buildings are still boarded up? Don’t make things up.
The reality is that downtown Indy is the most “city” part of the entire metro area. Leadership doesn’t know what to do with it, is the conclusion anyone reasonable has to come to. Besides the Mayor’s office, leadership seems to be a super-majority trying to show who’s really in charge. Downtown – and the City Market testify to the fact that, in spite of periods of subsidy, downtown continues to trend downward and it’s ultimately little more than a Ball Game and the city’s de factoTeen Community Center.
Very well said Charles G. I blame the leadership and if you look at cities like Indy, lead by Dem’s, you will find a common theme. Wether it’s BLM Antifa, it’s not propaganda, they are certainly related to the Dem leadership in these communities. LOOK at Indy when it is run by Republicans…look at INDY. Totally different. It’s not propaganda, it’s leadership styles. Gimme Gimme Gimme verses earn it. Man’s way or God’s way?
God’s way? Good grief…
literally 10x the people live downtown than they did a decade ago….
There are 4x the businesses and restaurants from a decade ago…
What different reality do you live in?
It’s so sad to see all of the closed restaurants downtown. Too many prime real estate corners are vacant. Somewhat depressing walking downtown at lunch seeing fewer people, vacant storefronts, crumbling sidewalks, trash/liter and homeless. Hopefully this can change.
If more Hoosier got vaccinated, folks could safely return to their offices and to the restaurants and bars. I blame the unvaccinated for our plight.
Who wants to go have a bite and take a chance on getting shot at? Hogsett ruined the city
‘Sorry, Randy S. and William W, your blinders are adjusted too tight. The riots and BLM nonsense are largely responsible for the downtown scene tanking, whether or not you want to admit it. Talk to people to find out; they’re scared to go downtown not because they might catch COVID, but because they mighty catch a bullet or be accosted by one too many homeless.
Whistle past the graveyard much?
Just got home from a night on the town with my wife, dinner and a show (Harry Connick Jr. concert at the new TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park with 5,000 other folks. Restaurants were packed with the firefighter international convention in town. Took the Red Line from Broad Ripple and returned home the same way. Great fun, never felt afraid or in danger.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Ff7%2F0f%2F6c%2Ff70f6c82b70aa2ad924602853f974503.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F322711129547480493%2F&tbnid=ywMZAB2xegK0sM&vet=12ahUKEwi5mMC6uZvyAhVMYK0KHcKIDe4QMygKegUIARD1AQ..i&docid=UHZNroqeL3e5MM&w=620&h=375&q=napoleon%20dynamite%20lucky%20gif&hl=en-us&client=safari&ved=2ahUKEwi5mMC6uZvyAhVMYK0KHcKIDe4QMygKegUIARD1AQ
Napolese was average. The concept had run its course.