Vonnegut Museum shifts gears on Bluebeard-managed cafe plans
Fletcher Place restaurant Bluebeard, which was the museum’s original choice of cafe operator, says it can’t tackle the project right now because of uncertainty around the pandemic.
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Fine-dining Japanese restaurant opens downtown
Hinata, which opened July 31, promises to offer diners authentic Japanese cuisine. Also this week, Tina’s Traditional Tearoom, Colts Pro Shop, The Warehouse Sale.
Steak n Shake revives car-hop service at almost half its restaurants
In an effort to drum up more business during the pandemic, Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake is rolling out a modern version of a restaurant service method that was all the rage in the 1950s.
16 Tech announces names for innovation hub, artisan marketplace
The innovation hub, expected to open early next year, is part of a $500 million, 50-acre campus along Indiana Avenue. The hub’s new name is a nod to the site’s history as the former Citizens Water headquarters.
Downtown restaurants, conventions could be stuck in downward spiral
The loss in convention business due to COVID-19 is starving downtown restaurants of customers. And without great restaurants, Indy isn’t as attractive as a convention destination.
Q&A with Hotel Carmichael chef Joe Hsu
The immigrant from Taiwan is deep in research and development for his new role as executive chef at Vivante, a French restaurant opening in Carmel’s luxurious Hotel Carmichael on Aug. 4.
Hogsett says city resilient, downtown to rise again
The mayor, who is in the first year of his second term, acknowledged the challenges—and even some naivete when it came to the riots. But Hogsett, a Democrat, said he’s confident in the ability of residents, the business community and leaders to address them.
Three new businesses transform Irvington building
The former Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance office now houses a coworking space, events center and bar. Also this week: Green District Salads, Old Pro’s Table, BounceU and Della Leva Espresso Bar.
As restaurants endure economic losses, others feel pain, too
The damage extends beyond darkened kitchens and dining rooms to the farms and wineries that supply them and the shopping centers that have grown to depend on restaurants as anchors to replace now-vanished stores that couldn’t compete with Amazon and Walmart.
Kite Realty sues Oceanaire, Mattress Firm over rent disputes
In both of the suits, Indianapolis-based Kite claims that the retail tenants are in default on their leases because they didn’t pay rent in April, May or June.
Chef and restaurateur Hardesty scaling back schedule after leukemia diagnosis
Hardesty, 51, said operations at his culinary business, Studio C, will be scaled back while he undergoes treatment over the next several months.
Barnes & Noble uses COVID-19 shutdown to refresh stores
It’s part of a chain-wide move to give store managers more autonomy. Also this week: Apocalypse Burger, Enterprise Car Sales, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
City extends street closures for Dine Out Indy initiative through Labor Day
The city of Indianapolis on Wednesday announced it was extending closures of segments of Broad Ripple Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue and Georgia Street.
Demand for robot cooks rises as food-service kitchens combat COVID-19
Robots that can cook—from flipping burgers to baking bread—are becoming more popular as virus-wary kitchens try to put some distance between workers and customers.
Stew joint with deep roots in Indy closes after 109 years
Founded by two brothers from Macedonia, John’s Famous Stew became an Indianapolis institution for its devotion to meat-and-potatoes fare.
Speakeasy-style whiskey bar coming to Mass Ave
The historic Hammond Block building will be the second location for the bar that started in South Bend. Also this week: Fresh Thyme, The Empty Vase, Forever Gallery, Lily & Sparrow, Kits & Kaboodle and more.
These creative quarantiners turned their homes into the bars and restaurants they were missing
TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are full of videos and photo spreads of people enjoying a restaurant or bar experience at home. From Oregon to Munich, people have gotten creative during quarantine to let the good times keep rolling.
ROUNDUP: JP Parker Flowers vacates Indy store, adds retail truck
The interruption in downtown convention business caused the closure. Also this week: Studio C, Tandoor & Tikka, Peppy Grill, The Fudge Kettle, 21st Amendment Wine & Spirits.
Dollar General to bring new urban-concept DGX store to Mass Ave
DGX represents a new direction for Dollar General, which has traditionally focused on small-town and rural locations. Also this week: Quaff ON!, Bru Burger, Jiffy Lube, Tire Discounters, 16 Bit Bar + Arcade.
Pittsburgh-based restaurant-and-bar chain closes last Indy location
Primanti Bros., which is known for serving french fries on its sandwiches, has permanently closed its downtown restaurant in Circle Centre Mall, at 49 W. Maryland St., according to its Facebook page.