Q&A with Jacob Cantu, West Fork Whiskey tasting room manager
Cantu has created the distillery’s cocktail-to-go concept, which has been a significant boost to revenue amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Restaurants
Articles
Not the grand opening coffee shop owner wanted
On the day Rachel Priddy finally got word from her contractor that she could apply for a certificate of occupancy to open her coffee shop in Carmel, Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all restaurants to shut down in-person dining.
ClusterTruck food-delivery firm misses office orders
About 60% of the company’s sales typically happen at lunch and are delivered to workplaces, which have been stripped down to only the most essential people.
Retail landlords weigh tenant-relief requests
Local landlords say they’re willing to offer relief to some of their retail tenants who’ve been hit hard by coronavirus-related closures—but the amount of relief, if any, varies depending on circumstances.
Holcomb extends restaurant and bar restrictions through April 6
The move—while expected—extends the pain for a hospitality industry that is reeling from closures that have eateries on the brink.
IBJ Podcast: Sahm’s—one restaurant company’s story about the impact of coronavirus
Sahm’s Restaurant Group has retooled its operations to benefit the not-for-profit Second Helpings and to create a series of marketplaces, where customers can get takeout meals as well as grocery items.
Restaurants, breweries embracing more alcohol delivery, carryout
With revenue down because of banned dine-in services, some eateries are taking advantage of the governor’s order allowing more restaurants and breweries to temporarily offer carryout and delivery of alcohol.
Sushi restaurant opens in former Milano Inn
The restaurant, part of Holladay Properties’ LaGrotte Square development, opened on the same day that a coronavirus-related prohibition on in-house restaurant dining took effect. The owners say they’ve seen good support from neighbors who have come for take-out orders in the restaurant’s first week.
Musk restaurant group closes Indy locations, won’t reopen one after virus scare
Upscale restaurant Hedge Row and the more casual Next Door both opened in Indianapolis in 2018. Both are part of The Kitchen Restaurant Group founded by Kimbal Musk.
Local high-end restaurants adapting to in-house dining restrictions
Some are switching their menus to carryout-friendly fare and redeploying servers as delivery drivers.
Chicago-based pizza chain Lou Malnati’s coming to north side
The chain’s signature deep-dish pies are renowned in the Chicagoland area, where the company has 56 locations. A private equity firm took an ownership stake in 2016 to spur growth.
Hogsett closes gyms, entertainment venues and nightclubs—and warns against local travel
The order will be in effect for at least seven days. Hogsett plans to seek permission from the Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night to extend the order to April 5.
Two neighboring states order bars, restaurants to close
Pickup orders and deliveries will still be permitted, but dining rooms must shut to try to slow spread of COVID-19.
Fast-casual restaurant chain Slapfish coming to Mass Ave
Slapfish, a California-based chain of fast-casual seafood restaurants, plans to open its first Indianapolis location, at 345 Massachusetts Ave.
Handcrafted gift shop Artisans set to open on Mass Ave
The shop, which will sell handmade items from artisans in the United States and abroad, is taking the space formerly occupied by the gift shop Pumkinfish. Also this week: MAC Cosmetics, Burlington Stores, Aldi.
Hoteliers, restaurants brace for loss of revenue from NCAA, Big Ten tourney games
Combined, the events were expected to draw in upwards of $35 million in revenue for local businesses, including hotels and restaurants.
Greenwood entrepreneur turning Franklin church into commercial venue
It will add to a mix of new businesses in the town center. Also this week: Dave & Buster’s, VetIQ, Jiffy Lube, Ross Dress for Less, Sears Outlet and more.
Bloomington-based sub shop closing Indianapolis location
The Indianapolis location of Dagwood’s Deli & Sub Shop, which opened in 2016, is set to close next week.
Four from Indianapolis named James Beard semifinalists
A chef, a restaurateur and two restaurants were named as semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, which are often referred to as the Oscars of the restaurant industry.
Steak n Shake planning to convert more restaurants to counter-service-only models
Sardar Biglari, CEO of Steak n Shake parent Biglari Holdings Inc., said in his annual report to shareholders that the chain’s performance went from “bad to worse” in 2019.