NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes | National News

NWI Business Ins and Outs: New oncology office, gym coming to Northwest Indiana

Joseph S. Pete

[email protected], 219-933-3316

Dr. Mohamad Kassar, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist who practices in Munster, is building a new oncology center at 1001 Calumet Ave. in Dyer.

Dyer Planning Director Bryan Lane said the doctor was constructing a two-story building under 30,000 square feet on a 5-acre site on Calumet Avenue, which has become one of the hottest corridors for new development in the town. There are long-term plans to build a second building for medical offices on the site, but no timetable for the future addition.

Kassar, who co-directs the Cancer Center at Community Hospital in Dyer and was the principal investigator for more than 15 National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials, expects to complete construction of the building that’s now going up by the spring, Lane said.

Opening

Anytime Fitness, the fast-growing 24-hour gym chain, started construction on a new $2 million gym in Cedar Lake as part of a rapid expansion across Northwest Indiana.

Franchisees Atta Musleh, Muhanad Musleh, Moe Musleh, Yasmin Musleh and Ammr Musleh hired the Crown Point-based commercial contractor Integrated Construction Solutions to build out the new 7,200-square-foot gym over the next four to five months. It will be at 9708 Lincoln Plaza just off W. 133rd Avenue about a mile east of U.S. 41.

“We own several clubs around the Region: Dyer, Winfield, Lowell, and Schererville, and are very excited to be expanding into Cedar Lake,” owner Moe Musleh said. “The location will be in front of the Strack & Van Till.”

The Musleh family plans to build as many as nine new Anytime Fitness gyms over the next several years.

The Cedar Lake location is expected to open in the spring, and will employ about 12 workers.

Anytime Fitness, which keeps regular hours but which members can unlock to use at any time day or night, has more than 3,330 gyms nationally, including in Hobart, Merrillville, Highland, Portage, Winfield, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Schererville, St. John, Dyer, Hebron, Lowell, Michigan City, LaPorte, DeMotte and South Holland. Another Anytime Fitness gym is currently under construction in Munster.

Closing

Meatheads, a Five Guys-like “better burger” restaurant that cooks to order with all-natural ingredients, closed its Schererville location after a four-year run. The Bloomington, Illinois-based chain, which served gourmet burgers, canola oil-fried French fries, shakes, salads and New England-style hot dogs, shuttered its location at 69 U.S. Highway 41 Ste. 300 in Schererville.

“It is with great sadness that we share the closing of the Schererville Meatheads,” a sign posted on the door said. “We thank our loyal customers, neighbors and friends for your support over the years.”

The neighboring Firehouse Subs in a strip mall outside the Shops on Main outdoor shopping center in Schererville also recently closed. Both opened in 2013, when the much-awaited lifestyle center did.

Any fans of Meatheads burgers, which feature Angus beef and premium toppings such as cucumber wasabi sauce and avocado, still can visit the Munster location at 9140 Calumet Ave #101.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Grocery store and gyros stand close in Valpo

Joseph S. Pete

[email protected], 219-933-3316

If you don’t want to grow up and just want to be a Toys “R” Us kid, you’ll have to do it in Hobart, home to the last remaining Toys “R” Us toy store in Northwest Indiana.

The New Jersey-based chain, which is closing more than 180 stores nationwide as part of a restructuring after filing for bankruptcy, shuttered its location at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City earlier this week.

The struggling toy and electronics retailer, which has been hobbled by e-commerce and mounting debt, said it was shuttering stores across the country that failed to meet its performance standards.

The only Toys “R” Us left in the Region is at 2020 E. Lincoln Highway in the Merrillville Plaza across from the Southlake Mall.

Closed

Petey’s City Grill ended a 17-year run serving gyros on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso in December.

The gyros restaurant at 255 Morthland Drive, which delivered and had a drive-through, had the slogans “We’re not just another Pretty Pita” and “You’re all friends and family here.”

In addition to “Petey’s Famous Gyros,” the restaurant served Chicago-syle dogs, Italian beef, patty melts, pork tenderloin and an “Avocado Grill” with items like an avocado bacon grilled cheese.

Founded in 2001, Petey’s had a more modern look than most Region gyros joints and unique menu items like a Mac & Cheese burger, a grilled veggie pita, a pretzel bacon cheese dog, and My Big Fat Greek Burger.

“It is with a heavy heart, we are announcing after 17 years of serving the community, Petey’s City Grill will be closing its doors for good,” the owners said on Facebook. “To our dismay, the new owners of the strip mall have decided to replace us with a bigger box brand store. And we have been asked to relocate. However after, great thought, a personal decision to retire from the restaurant industry was concluded. It has been our pleasure, but more importantly our privilege to serve the NWI area for over 17 years.”

Closed

The Wholesome Cupboard, a Valparaiso specialty grocery store in a strip mall just down U.S. 30 from Petey’s City Grill, also shuttered at the end of 2017.

“Valpo’s Affordable Specialty Market” at 201-9 Morthland Drive carried locally produced food, imported cheeses, artisanal pop, vitamins, Himalayan salt products, essential oils and more. A registered nurse opened it in 2015 for people with special dietary restrictions, such as if they can’t eat gluten or must watch their salt intake.

The Wholesome Cupboard carried an array of vegan, vegetarian, organic, non-GMO, low-carbohydrate and other healthy foods. Its expansive ethnic section include Italian, Thai, Asian, Indian, German, Irish, English, Serbian, Hispanic and Middle Eastern foods.

Open 

Planet Fitness, the gym chain known for its cheap prices, non-judgmental attitude and free pizza once a month, opened at 520 E. 81st Ave. in Merrillville.

The gym is the anchor in the new strip mall that replaced the popular Catch 22 restaurant on U.S. 30 in Merrillville, which will reopen in a smaller space at that site. The growing chain has other Region locations in Crown Point, Schererville, Hobart and Hammond.

Marketing to the casual “everyman” instead of bodybuilders and fitness fanatics, it entices customers by charging just $10 a month for memberships and offering freebies like free bagels.

The Merrillville gym is open from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Open

Dunkin’ Donuts opened a new coffee/donut shop at 328 W. 37th Ave. in New Chicago.

The Massachusetts-based chain, one of the largest fast-food franchises in the world by sheer number of locations, has 18 other restaurants in Lake County alone. It replaced a former Pizza Hut restaurant in New Chicago, where it’s open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

The location has a drive-through, on-the-go mobile ordering and Dunkin’ Donut K-Cup Pods and ground coffee available for retail sale.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Starbucks, Pita Pit, Beef Jerky Outlet coming

Joseph S. Pete

[email protected], 219-933-3316

Starbucks and a Beef Jerky Outlet are coming to Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in downtown Michigan City this spring.

Starbucks will sell its fancy, highly sugared or puckeringly bitter coffee drinks in a 1,580-square-foot space off the main parking lot near the 7th Street and Wabash Street entrance of the outdoor outlet mall. It plans to open in early April.

Beef Jerky Outlet will sell more than 100 varieties of jerky, including Cajun, elk, kangaroo, moonshine and venison in a 1,440-square-foot space near the 7th Street and Wabash Street entrance beginning in March.

Visitors to Beef Jerky Outlet, a Tennessee-based chain named to Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500, also will be able to buy other select foodstuffs such as sauces, spices, rubs, jams, jellies, cheeses, nut candies and peanut butters.

“We are delighted to share the news of two new store openings for our shoppers to look forward to,” Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets General Manager Chris Juricic said. “Both Starbucks Coffee and Beef Jerky Outlet will afford our shoppers the opportunity to enjoy some delicious treats from quality brands while shopping our center.”

Opening

Pita Pit plans to open its first Northwest Indiana location soon at 10611 Broadway in Crown Point.

The Canadian chain, a more Mediterranean version of Subway that has locations in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and downtown Indianapolis, sells its customized wraps with fresh meats and veggies in a 2,000-square-foot restaurant that will seat 40 people and another dozen on an outdoor patio.

Franchise owners Matt and Mari Davis is opening the Crown Point Pita Pit, which will offer a double drive-thru, catering services and the rollout of the brand’s new menu.

“What we’ve noticed is that some people want to go through the line and customize their order, while others want something that’s pre-built,” Vice President of Development Bill Wilfong said. “So to make everyone happy, we have a whole new menu of chef-inspired menu items, so you might get a pita with buffalo chicken, romaine and cheddar cheese and don’t have to choose every last item. It’s about 50/50 with what customers prefer and we want to satisfy everyone.”

The quick-service restaurant, which typically does a brisk lunch business, will employ 20 workers when it opens in mid-March. The franchise owners are looking to open three more Pita Pits across Northwest Indiana over the next few years.

“It’s a local family, and they’re super-excited,” he said. 

Closed

The Dairy Queen Grill and Chill at 730 E. 81st Ave. in Merrillville has closed.

The ice cream restaurant just off U.S. 30 that served Dilly Bars and Blizzards near the former Star Plaza Theatre and Radisson at Star Plaza is shuttered and the phone line is disconnected. A Dairy Queen customer representative said she could not comment on why it closed.

“Often, the franchise operator of a location may want to sell their DQ location and may be unable to find a prospective franchise operator that is willing and able to take over that location,” a “fan relations specialist” said. “As such, they may have to close their doors for good.”

Opened

Mastersque has opened a new barbecue joint at 2486 W. 81st Street in Merrillville.

The barbecue restaurant on U.S. 30 delivers to anywhere in Merrillville and serves an array of meats, including brisket, rib tips, pulled pork, turkey link, fish and jerk ribs. Sides include greens, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad and mac and cheese.

Customers have complimented the restaurant’s smoke flavoring, mild sauce and barbecue sauce in online reviews.

For more information, visit mastersque.com or call 219-525-5401.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Meijer, McAlister’s Deli, Anytime Fitness opening

McAlister’s Deli, a chain deli with a southern twist, opened its long-awaited Schererville restaurant Friday.

It’s the third Northwest Indiana location for McAlister’s Deli, which plans to open two more eateries in the area. The new fast-casual restaurant, in the vein of Panera Bread and Noodles and Co., is at 318 Indianapolis Boulevard in the new Shoppes on the Boulevard development.

“We believe McAlister’s handcrafted sandwiches, family-friendly atmosphere, and genuine hospitality will be a welcome addition to Schererville,” NWI Deli Inc. franchisee John Malesh said. “We look forward to opening our doors and becoming a part of Schererville and surrounding communities including Highland, Griffith, Munster, Dyer and St. John.”

McAlister’s, which also has restaurants in Merrillville and Valparaiso, serves up traditional deli fare like pastrami sandwiches, New Orleans-style muffalettas, giant spuds, salads and sweet iced tea. An example is the Big Nasty, a half-pound of Angus beef smothered in gravy and cheddar-jack cheese.

The 29-year-old establishment, which sets up in suburban locations, also offers takeout and catering.

The restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, call 219-440-7681.

Opening

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer, which has 235 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Indiana, is close to completing its new 190,000-square-foot superstore with a full grocery line in the Porter’s Vale Shopping Center in Valparaiso.

The store just east of Ind. 49 will employ 350 workers and be open 24/7. It will include a gas station and curbside pickup.

A company spokesman said it would be open by late spring or early summer.

Locally, Meijer also has locations in Portage, Merrillville, Michigan City and Highland.

Opening

Brothers Feras Musleh and Mohammade Musleh, with the help of their father Naser Musleh as an investor partner, are opening a Anytime Fitness gym in a brand new plaza next to CVS at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Main Street in Munster. An additional 2,700 square feet in the strip mall will be available for lease to retailers, restaurants or medical facilities.

The new gym at 821 Main St. will employ five, along with three more part-time class instructors. It will be open 24/7 and offer tanning, hydromassage, red light therapy, and live and virtual classes.

“Also, we will offer our new training program that will consist of one-on-one and group training sessions,” owner Mohammade Musleh said. “Clients will have access to our heart rate monitor system to track their calories as well as heart rate during sessions.”

Anniversary

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore thrift store marked its second anniversary in Merrillville.

The thrift store relies on donations of lightly used items like clothes, home decor and furniture, reusing and recycling what would otherwise be pitched.

“I love to see how customers recycle items,” ReStore District Manager Kim DeRisi said. “The photos they show me are beautiful. I think people feel good when they get creative and recycle.”

The Griffith and Merrillville stores have diverted 1.5 million pounds of waste from the landfill and generate funds for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, which builds houses that are sold to low-income families interest-free.

“ReStores are an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable, materials out of the waste stream while providing funding for Habitat’s community improvement work. It’s a vital funding stream to help build Habitat homes,” DeRisi said. “ReStores mean we can help more families in need of safe, affordable housing get a home.”

With funding from Restore, the local Habitat for Humanity chapter hopes to put 10 more Northwest Indiana families in homes this year.

“It’s been a team effort cleaning it up, organizing and giving it a fresh look. We’ve made many changes over the years to make it better,” DeRisi said. “We have a wonderful, friendly staff and a place that I am proud of. We are open to the public and hope people come in to see what we have to offer.”

For more information, call 219-972-3000 or visit nwirestore.org.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Dairy Belle and Theo’s expanding, while Jansens closes

Dairy Belle, a walk-up ice cream stand in Hammond since 1950, has been called the best ice cream in the Region.

Two years ago, it spread its beloved cones, shakes, malts and ice cream treats south to a former Dairy Queen at 2034 Austin Ave. in Schererville. Now Dairy Belle is bringing its sweet treats, including the googly-eyed Monster and Poodle ice cream cones, to Cedar Lake. 

The ice cream restaurant, which serves a wide array of sundaes, flurries and waffle cones, announced on Facebook it purchased Sundaes on the Lake, a similarly old school walk-up ice cream stand at 13134 Lake Shore Drive on the shore of Cedar Lake.

A staple of childhood for generations of Region residents, Dairy Belle is so popular it sells T-shirts.

“Prepare to be fat and proud. I’ve never known anyone to try Dairy Belle and not become a repeat user,” one Yelp reviewer wrote. “The ice cream here is to die for. The shakes and malts are equivalent to what I imagine to be nectar of the gods.”

Re-opening

The longstanding Dick’s Restaurant and Bar recently closed at 10808 Wicker Ave. on the south edge of St. John.

The nostalgic supper club-like eatery specialized in steaks and seafood including lake perch, walleye, gulf shrimp, frog legs and wild-caught Alaskan salmon.

But it’s been purchased by Theo’s Steaks & Seafood, the urbane, sophisticated chophouse at 9144 Indianapolis Blvd. in Highland that’s known for steaks, seafood and cocktails in an elegant setting. Theo’s plans to keep the Dick’s name for now, but is freshening up the place and the menu.

“We are excited about adding Dick’s to our restaurant family,” Theo’s owner Peter Klideris said. “Our family is thrilled to bring our love of food and serving our community to the people of St. John. We plan to keep the name for right now, but will be updating the menu to feature a variety of steaks and seafood.”

Theo’s also is extensively renovating the restaurant, which had drawn complaints for its dated decor. One online reviewer had complained last year it looked “like an old folks’ home … in the 1970s.”

“We are working around the clock to enhance the building cosmetically to give it more of a modern feel,” Klideris said. “The restaurant will also include a beautiful private room that will accommodate up to 120 guests. Perfect for any occasion. Stay tuned for more exciting plans!”

Opening

Two more diners are coming to Broadway in Merrillville.

The long-abandoned Broadway Cafe at 7454 Broadway is being reborn as Cafe Stelios.

Xioties Properties, which owned the family-style Delta Restaurant a fifth of a mile north, hopes to open in June a 137-seat restaurant in the 4,300-square-foot building, after an extensive renovation of the vintage Broadway Cafe, which had a 1950s look.

Broadway Cafe was shuttered so long that burglars looted all the remaining shelves and appliances in 2010. The new Cafe Stelios would be open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

And new owners plan to reopen the former Delta diner at 7600 Broadway as the Breakfast Society, a pancake house open for breakfast and lunch that would seat 94 diners.

Closing

Jansens Fruit Market has provided fresh, hand-picked seasonal fruits and vegetables to Hobart since at least 1954. 

But the longstanding produce stand and garden center at 8190 E. Ridge Road has closed after more than six decades.

“It was a very, very hard decision and with a heavy heart and lot of tears I must tell you that we have closed our store permanently,” owner Jack Feurgye posted on Jansens’ Facebook page. “Most of you were not just customers, you were friends and always will be friends. It has been a pleasure helping and talking to you. I hope to see all of you at some point. I want to wish everyone health and happiness in the future.”

Unlike many produce stands in the area, Jansens Fruit Market was open year-round, offering pumpkins, decorative Indian corn, Christmas trees, wreathes and gift baskets during the less fruitful fall and winter seasons. It had a greenhouse filled with perennials, hanging baskets and tropical flowering plants.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Provecho Latin Provisions, KISS-themed restaurants, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet opening

Anticipation has been mounting for Provecho Latin Provisions since Tequila Restaurante closed on the courthouse square in downtown Crown Point last year.

New owner and chef Chris Pappas, whose family owns several restaurants in Crown Point, has been transforming the prime space at 110 S. Main St. into an upscale Latin restaurant with tastes of Spain and South America. The wait is over.

“GRAND OPENING!” Provecho Latin Provisions posted on social media. “Months of dreaming, planning, hard work, and collaboration have come together to bring you Provecho Latin Provisions. Our grand opening will take place Tuesday, March 13th!”

The restaurant will serve traditional tapas dishes like grilled octopus and baked goat cheese in tomato sauce, as well as dishes like corn poblano soup and “Cuban-inspired empanadas with ribeye, green plantain, oaxaca cheese and roasted poblano.” Many ingredients will be sourced from local providers such as Five Hands Farm in Lowell.

Provecho Latin Provisions takes its name from the Spanish phrase buen provecho, which roughly translates to bon appetite. It will serve cocktails made with seasonal fresh fruits that are cold-pressed daily, as well as house-made orgeat, falernum, allspice and cinnamon syrups.

Reservations are recommended.

For more information, call 219-663-0050 or visit www.provechocp.com.

Opening

Schererville-based Latitude Commercial Real Estate is bringing a restaurant chain owned by KISS frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley to the south suburbs.

Rock & Brews, which combines comfort food, a wide selection of craft beers and a “family-friendly rock ‘n’ roll experience,” plans to open at the corner of LaGrange Road and 143rd Street in the Orland Park Crossing Lifestyle Center in Orland Park, and at the corner of Cicero Avenue and 111th Street in the Stony Creek Promenade in Oak Lawn.

The Rock & Brews menu includes “creative spins” on burgers, wings, pizza, salads, as well as an extensive tap list that is “always rotating to feature the latest and greatest in craft brew.”

“We are very excited to see the concept start their roots in these two locations and see the brand expand throughout Chicago in the future,” Latitute Commercial Real Estate President Aaron McDermott said. “We are currently exploring locations for an additional three to four sites within the next two years.”

Opening

Poppy & Pleets Boutique opened at 9735 Fran Lin Parkway in Munster. The store sells trendy women’s clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories that are also affordably priced in a chic space with a quote by Coco Chanel: “The best color in the world is the one that looks good on you.”

Now Poppy & Pleets owner Meghan Edens plans to open a second location at 7958 U.S. 41 in St. John. A soft opening will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25.

The boutique carries brands such as Kut From the Kloth and M. Rena.

For more information, visit poppyandpleets.com.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Cereal bar coming to Southlake Mall, tea room opens, Starbucks closes

Oooh Wee Candy and Cereal Bar serves up dozens of cereals and old school candy by the piece at the food court in River Oaks Center in Calumet City, and plans to open a location in the Southlake Mall in Hobart on April 20.

The fast-growing concept also has a location on Chicago’s South Side and is also expanding to Waukegan. There’s no booze but there is an actual bar that people can belly up to to eat all their favorite childhood cereal such as King Vitamin, Waffle Crisp and Franken Berry while watching television. Ice cold milk is poured from martini shakers.

People can satisfy their sweet tooth with 75 different types of cereal, 25 different toppings like fruit, honey and mini Oreo cookies, and 10 different types of milk, including almond, coconut, cashew and chocolate milk.

Owner Mark Walker saw a cereal bar in Dubai, and decided he wanted to open one here.

Any cereal you can imagine, hot or cold, is stocked on the shelves, and customers get to mix two if they feel like blending Coco Puffs with Lucky Charms or have a hankering with Captain Crunch with Apple Jacks. Customers can dine in or get it to go, with separate containers for cereal and milk.

They also can order cereal “cocktails” named after celebrities like the Nicki Minaj with Trix, Fruity Pebbles, Pop Rocks and strawberry milk.

Oooh Wee Candy and Cereal Bar also has more than 250 “old school” candies, including gummy bears, gummy worms and many nostalgic and hard-to-find items. It’s sold by the piece, not the pound, to make it more affordable for kids.

Kids also can pose for selfies with life-sized cutouts of Deadpool, Batman, Harley Quinn and other pop culture characters. Still, many of the customers are grown-ups.

“Our customer base is mostly adults who come in saying they remember that cereal from their childhood and can’t believe they still make it,” Walker said. “It’s nostalgic. People come for the good memories.”

Opened

2 Chicks, a high-end consignment shop, has opened at 2817 Jewett Ave. in downtown Highland.

“We sell a lot of eclectic items, including name brands,” said longtime Cargill employee Terri Yovkovich, who runs the store with her mom Shirley Bell. “There’s a lot for the younger generation, a lot of cool clothing, shoes, jewelry and vintage. It’s a lot of shabby chic style. We’ve got decor and fun and cool stuff.”

The 2,000-square-foot consignment shop also is home to Tiffany’s Tea Room at 2 Chicks, which serves a formal tea every afternoon Monday through Saturday and by appointment for showers on Sunday. Tea is ported in from the neighboring Sip 2 Coffeehouse, along with a three-tier stand with five finger sandwiches, five pastries, scones, cheese, crackers and apricot jam.

The tea room, an extension of the original Tiffany’s Tea Room in Crown Point, can accommodate parties of up to 30 and is geared toward luring female shoppers into the store.

“The women come in and they shop,” Yovkovich said.

2 Chicks sells items on consignment but also buys its own inventory, such as from an estate after a death in the family. Merchandise rotates frequently.

“I might eventually open another one,” Yovkovich said. “I’m originally from Calumet City but now live in Griffith. I might someday open one somewhere back in Cal City or near where I live in Griffith.

For more information, call 219-301-5588 or find 2 Chicks on Facebook.

To reserve a formal tea appointment, call 219-306-0980.

Closed

Starbucks just closed one of its first coffee shops to open in Northwest Indiana, 2381 E. 80th Ave. in Hobart just north of the Southlake Mall.

The Starbucks was in a strip mall with an Ulta and a since-closed American Bagel Company. It dated back to the 1990s and was a product of a different age, lacking a drive-through that is now standard at Starbucks.

The Seattle-based coffee giant, which has lately been pushing white espresso on its notoriously loyal customer base, opened a new location not far down U.S. 30 in Merrillville last year after being forced to shutter its extremely popular coffee shop inside the Radisson at Star Plaza, which was torn down to make way for a redevelopment product.

Those jonesing for a Frappuccino or a cold brew don’t have to travel far to get their fix — Starbucks still has two other location by the Southlake Mall, one on Mississippi Street and another inside Target.

Relocated

Highland Board Shop is now HBS now that it’s no longer in Highland.

The skateboarding store, which promises “West Coast Vibes and Steezy Rides,” shuttered its location at 8808 Kennedy Ave. in downtown Highland. The 3-year-old business moved to 132 N. Broad St. in downtown Griffith.

The shop sells skateboarding gear, apparel and accessories. It encourages its customers, who skew younger, to “shred the gnar.”

HBS is open from 12 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Relocated

The Annex also vacated the same two-story building in downtown Highland that it shared with Highland Board Shop.

The funky boutique, which stocks many locally sourced and trendy items, has relocated to 8638 4th St. in Highland. It celebrated its grand reopening Friday.

The Annex carries artisan items from creators like WoodenJacket, Mythos, P. Goodys, Kinfolk Herbs, The Old Gray Goose, Smudge’s Organics, Lucia Handcrafted, Altered57 and Little Lotus Elixirs. It’s filled with a carefully curated selection of fashion, crafts, gifts and essential oils.

For more information, call 219-765-8267 or find Shop The Annex on Facebook.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Buona, Dunkin Donuts and Roberto’s Packman Pizzeria open, while Galactic Greg’s survives owner’s passing

Buona is opening its first Italian Beef restaurant outside of Illinois at 24 U.S. 41 in Schererville March 27, when it will be giving out Italian Beef sandwiches to anyone who’s in line before 10 a.m.

The fast-growing chain sells beef sandwiches dry, dipped, baptized or the “Buona Way,” with an extra spoonful of gravy, at more than 20 restaurants across Chicagoland. Its locations include concession stands at Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field and at the outdoor beer garden for Big Ten graduates recently transplanted to Chicago on the North Side, where they play the song “Go, Cubs, Go,” expressing confidence that “the Cubs are gonna win today” after the game is already over, for whatever reason.

“This move is the first wave of spreading some Buona Beef love outside of Illinois,” owner Joe Buonavolanto Jr. said. “We’re excited to share Chicago’s original Italian beef sandwich with the residents of Schererville – made exactly like it was in 1930s Chicago, spiced just right and free of additives and preservatives.”

The restaurant in Schererville’s new Shoppes on the Boulevard will serve a wide-ranging menu that includes hot dogs, pizzas, salads, gravy-dipped Italian bread, and pepper and egg sandwiches on Fridays during Lent. The chain, a competitor of Zel’s, Pop’s and Enzo’s, potentially could meet some resistance in the union stronghold of Northwest Indiana after a few of the family owners were caught in viral videos spraying a garden hose at and cursing at union picketers who were protesting that a Buona restaurant was being built without union labor.

For more information call 219-515-6469 or visit buona.com.

Opened

It’s finally time to make the doughnuts in south Munster, not far from the Dyer border.

Dunkin’ Donuts opened its second Munster location at 10415 Calumet Ave. The modern-looking 28-seat eatery has a drive-through and carries a wide array of fresh baked doughnuts, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and coffee drinks, including those with Girl Scout Cookie flavors like Thin Mint and Coconut Caramel. 

The coffee shop/doughnut joint is in a newly built strip mall that has another 4,600 square feet of space available for rent.

Reopened

The popular Packman Pizzeria, first opened in 2014, was about to close in LaPorte after owners Don and Angie Kaczmarek died in a tragic car accident.

But the owners of Roberto’s Pizzeria at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City acquired the 48-seat restaurant at 612 Lincolnway and reopened it as Roberto’s Packman Pizzeria, closing their mall location to consolidate the two pizzerias into one.

“The kids were running it but they want to close the door and our lease was up,” said Sean Montgomery, who co-owns the pizza restaurant with Robert Becker. “They have loyal customers, 4,000 Facebook followers and deliver within 15 miles. It’s the only place in LaPorte that serves deep-dish and Chicago-style pizza with the dough on top.”

The restaurant also serves salads, chicken wings, oven-baked fries and subs, out of which the Italian beef and Philly Steak are the two most popular. It delivers as far away as Westville, Walkerton, New Carlisle and Michigan City.

Roberto’s Packman Pizzeria is open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www.robertospackmanpizzeria.com or call 219-380-5387.

Remaining open 

“Galactic” Greg Karras, the owner of the popular Galactic Greg’s and Cosmic Trading Post comic book shop at 1407 Lincolnway in Valparaiso, died of cancer at the age of 51, but his namesake store will remain open.

“Greg was all those things to us because of his kind heart,” Galactic Greg’s posted on Facebook. “He gave many of us a place to hang out, a place to meet others with similar interests long before the internet, and sometimes just an ear to listen to our problems. He introduced us to heroes, which I believe is the same as introducing someone to hope. … Galactic Greg’s will continue. We hope to make him proud as we continue to serve you the way he did.”

Karras opened the “pop culture superstore” in Valpo where people have gone for comics, role-playing games, vinyl records and more for more than 25 years. His passing was met with an outpouring of mourning from loyal customers.

“I’ve been getting my subscription comics from Greg ever since I was in elementary school. Even when I moved away for college, Greg continued boxing up my favorite comics and sending them to me every month — he has always been a source of joy and friendship in my life,” longtime customer David Higgins posted on Galactic Greg’s Facebook page. “I teach college classes on Graphic Novels now, and Greg helped shape the person who I am today. He actually supported my very first comics-related research project: When I was at Winfield Elementary School, he loaned me a stack of 1950s comics from his own personal collection so that I could compare them with my own comics (from the 80s) to determine whether comics were becoming more ‘corrupt or violent’ as a science fair project.

“I was a wide-eyed kid, and Greg saw my enthusiasm and wanted to support it. That’s the kind of person he was — he loved people, he encouraged joy and wonder in everyone around him, and he had a huge heart. He was a real-life superhero who made the world a better place in countless ways.”

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Ryan’s Irish Pub closes, coffees shops and permanent makeup studio opening

Throw an Irish wake for Ryan’s Irish Pub in downtown Michigan City, which recently closed.

The owners posted on Facebook that they had sold the establishment, which had been open for 23 years.

No further details were available, and the pub’s phone number was disconnected. Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer said a developer hopes to redevelop the entire property to make way for new commercial businesses and residential units.

The dark and smoky bar at the north end of Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District was known for its fish and chips, burgers and other pub fare. It drew crowds for its open mic nights and to its outdoor patio in the summer, where diners and drinkers could feel a gentle lake breeze, and was, of course, a popular destination after the lakefront city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Opening

Uptown Cafe, the longtime coffee shop on Lincolnway near the Valparaiso University campus, opened the drive-through at its eagerly awaited Crown Point satellite location for a trial run last week.

At first, customers could only get drinks at the coffee shop at 10641 Broadway in Crown Point. The beloved local coffee shop sells several varieties of coffee, espresso drinks, handcrafted sodas and specialty drinks, such as a Matcha Libre matcha tea latte and an espresso drink that tastes like a cinnamon roll.

The Valparaiso cafe also serves a menu of light bites such as avocado toast, lox, hummus and caprese, but the Crown Point location is still ramping up operations.

Business opportunity

New owners have acquired the former Marquette Perk building at 900 N. Shelby St. in Gary’s lakefront Miller neighborhood, and hope to lease it to someone who will operate it as a coffee shop/bakery.

Zygmunt Dyracz and Lela Headd Dyrkacz, who own the acclaimed Chopin Theatre in Chicago’s trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, want to see the 1,400-square-foot building a few blocks from the beach become a community gathering place again. They moved from Chicago to Miller in search of some quiet after having kids.

“It’s in the heart of Miller Beach two blocks from the beach,” he said. “It used to be a place for people to mingle and talk to each other. We’d like it to be a community gathering place for people to meet and connect.”

Most recently, the property hosted Ben’s Bodacious Barbecue and Deli and the Wonderland Stained Glass studio, until the married couple that owned the businesses died in a murder-suicide last year.

The Dyrkaczs hope it could again be a breakfast spot for Chicago commuters and locals, and a place for evening dining and entertainment, possibly a piano bar or cabaret. They also would love to see any new business that opens there incorporate a small grocery section that would carry necessities like fresh baked bread, milk, eggs and wines for neighborhood residents.

Anyone who’s interested in the property should call 773-396-2875 or 773-814-5352.

Open

Kristine Johnson, a licensed cosmetologist with 20 years experience and the owner of Eyelashes Extensions by Kristine, a home-based studio in Griffith, launched Micropigmentation by K 2.0, which offers permanent cosmetic procedures that essentially tattoo makeup on lips or eyebrows.

“Why would you want permanent makeup?” she said. “Well, how much time would you save every morning if you didn’t fiddle with makeup? What if you are visually impaired, would it be easier for you each day? Shaky hands? Work out and sweat a lot? No problem, permanent makeup stays perfectly in place. There are many reasons why it could make your day better and easier.”

The business at 402 Miller St. is open by appointment only. Services include permanent eyebrows, eyeliner, microshading and tattoo lightening.

“I’m very passionate about what I do and I would love to share this passion with the community,” she said. “I pride myself on education and ongoing training.”

For more information, call 219-743-9077.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Neopolitan and alla Romana pizza place coming to CP, Joe’s Cafe and Debbie’s Dresses closing, Harbor Freight Tool and Belle Tire coming

NWI Business Ins and Outs: St. John home decor store, The Simple Greek restaurant opening

A corporate refugee who wanted to strike out on her own started Sweet Home Indiana Home Decor and Gifts, which opens on April 28 at 8251 Wicker Ave. in St. John.

Lora Avecillas and her husband, John Matuska, decided to open the 1,200-square-foot home decor and gift shop in Lake Central Plaza across from Lake Central High School out of a love for visiting quaint shops and hunting for treasures while traveling.

Sweet Home Indiana carries many products in the country farmhouse, vintage, industrial and garden styles. It stocks jewelry, candles, stationery, clocks, handcrafted items, accent furniture and stuff for man caves, such as beer-infused soap. The shop has gifts for many occasions, including baby showers, weddings and holidays.

“I was in the corporate world for so long, and I just saw the opportunity for a home decor store in St. John with so many homes going up,” she said. “I was tired of working 14-hour days and thought about what my passion was. I like traveling and visiting cute little shops, and there was nothing like that here.”

She was inspired by stores like The Found Cottage outside Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the popular reality show “Fixer Upper,” which recently ended its run.

“Joanna Gaines is the reason we have a store,” she said.

Avecillas hopes eventually to expand the shop, hire more employees beyond family and get into online sales. For now, the focus is on providing as pleasant a shopping experience as possible.

“We’re very down-to-earth,” she said. “We want to make sure people have an experience. There’s a nice atmosphere. We want people to come stay awhile. We’ll have coffee, drinks, water, lemonade and cookies. We’ll have music, candles and a nice smell.”

She thinks such a store will thrive in St. John, where the population has grown by more than 12 percent since 2000 and has gotten an influx of new residents who have decamped from Illinois.

“St. John is a wonderful place,” he said. “We came out here, built out here and we loved it.”

Sweet Home Indiana is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information, find it on Facebook or call 219-627-3061.

Opening

The Simple Greek, a fast-casual Greek restaurant that lets customers customize pita or bowl orders, will open its long-awaited Munster location in the new Centennial Village shopping center Monday.

“It’s been an enormous amount of work and planning, however, being this close to launching this restaurant, we find that we’re most excited to finally have a great team of people ready to serve a great community of people,” owner Adam Robertson said.

The restaurant at 9611 Calumet Ave. in Munster offers gyros, chicken gyros, chicken or steak that can be topped with hummus, tzatziki, olive oil, feta and your choice of fresh vegetables. It also has traditional dessert options like baklava.

The Simple Greek will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Call 219-922-4976 or visit thesimplegreek.com/location/munster-in.

Opened

U-Haul added two more Calumet Region dealerships in Gary and Chicago Heights.

Gary Discount Motors at 1429 W. 11th Ave. in Gary and Country Squire Foods at 113 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights opened dealerships that rent out U-Haul trucks and trailers.

They will let movers borrow U-Haul trucks and towing equipment, and purchase moving supplies and boxes. People with smartphones can use the service around the clock, picking up or returning a truck at any hour day or night.

The Gary dealership is open for normal business hours from 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. Saturday. The Chicago Heights location is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Xfinity Store coming to Valpo, Highland to get upscale salon complex, St. John a boutique

Valparaiso residents will soon be able to venture to Xfinity and beyond, or at least have someone to complain to when their internet router keeps cutting out.

Comcast will open an Xfinity Store at 2710 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso in mid-to late May.

Customers can learn about or sign up for Xfinity services, including internet, cable, mobile and home security. The store will have iPads and other mobile devises to let people test out Xfinity apps that, for instance, let people watch up to 200 channels and stream as many as 40,000 on-demand programs anywhere.

“The stores are awesome places to visit and learn more about Xfinity products and services from the trained store staff,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region senior vice president. “Visitors are welcome to come in and experience our products and services like they would at home.”

Current Comcast customers can go there to pay their monthly bills, or pick up and return equipment.

“We’re pleased that Valparaiso is getting a new Xfinity Store,” Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said. “Located within Valparaiso’s centrally located, dynamic retail scene, the new store will be able to serve thousands and thousands of existing Xfinity customers and attract new ones not just from Valparaiso, but from the surrounding communities as well.”

The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Opening

My Salon Suite plans to open a 5,500-square-foot upscale beauty complex at 2715 Main St. in Highland later this year, where hair stylists and other salon professionals will be able to rent 29 salon suites.

“When we started looking at different franchising concepts, we knew we wanted something that would fit with our lifestyle, personalities, skills and interests — we found all of this with My Salon Suite,” franchisee Robert Gerick said. “We love that My Salon Suite allows us to operate our own business, have a flexible work-life balance and work directly with talented beauty professionals from our area. We’re looking forward to introducing the Highland community to the suite life.”

The fast-growing company, which was founded in 2010, now has about 50 salon complexes across North American, and aims to have 100 nationally by the end of this year. 

“We empower beauty professionals to become salon entrepreneurs with their own suites, while providing them with all of the resources they need to success,” Gerick said. “Plus, for our members’ clients, we offer an environment to escape from the stresses of the day in a quiet, private setting where they are treated to an upscale salon experience like no other.”

Each suite features a full-length style station, styling chair, shampoo sink and color station, and the building will have “a state-of-the-art security system, luxurious bathrooms and an elegant lobby.”

For more information call 219-649-1677 or visit www.mysalonsuite.com/highland-on-main.

Open 

2 Old Goats Market opened last fall at 9726 Industrial Drive in St. John.

“The neat little hidden treasure” sells repurposed antiques, vintage items, women’s boutique clothing, man cave essentials and local artisan goodies, including from Mother Wilma’s, Smudge’s Organics, Simplify, The Gourmet Goddess, Into the Pines Jewelry and Wooden Jacket. It sells Dixie Belle Chalk Paint and teaches painting classes.

“We opened our store in the industrial part of St. John near 95ate5 Brew Pub in September,” owner Abbey Sylvester said. “The name was our biggest obstacle. My mom and I were going back and forth on what to call it. One day we were reminiscing about my grandpa that passed away last January and how he grew up on a farm with goats. On Father’s Day they bought him two goats, he named them Frick and Frack. Looking in the thesaurus, another word for an antique is an old goat, and the light went off. We wanted to remember my grandpa by giving him a place in our new adventure and 2 Old Goats Market just fit.”

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call 219-351-5457.

Open

Meijer’s eagerly awaited 195,000-square-foot supercenter in the Porter’s Vale shopping center at Ind. 49 and Ind. 2 in Valparaiso, doesn’t open until May 24, but you can already pump gas outside.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer opened the gas station on an outlot outside the superstore at 405 Porters Vale Blvd. Thursday. It will be open 24 hours a day offering, gas, diesel, propane, grab-and-go snacks, lottery tickets, cigarettes, phone cards and gift cards.

The growing retail chain now has 235 locations across the Midwest, including in Highland, Merrillville and Michigan City. 

Closing 

Aunt Sally’s, which fervent loyalists have described as the “best breakfast diner” and a place the Blues Brothers might have hung out at, closes at the end of the business day Sunday after 71 years.

The pancake house at 1215 Burnham Ave. in Calumet City served many lunch items like sandwiches, and of course breakfast all day. It had unique specials like a pizza omelette, a “conquistador taco” omelette and a Hawaiian omelette topped with pineapples and maraschino cherries. 

The food was cheap, the booths were comfy, the coffee kept coming and ample sides like hash browns and pancakes left few hungry when they went up to the counter to pay the check.

It was usually always packed on weekends, and the crowds have only grown since the closure was announced on Facebook.

Owner Dennis Sidkey said he would consider opening another restaurant in the future, possibly in Indiana.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Romano’s and Tequila Restaurante returning, Casa Vieja and Family Video bowing out

Romano’s, the Region legend known as “The Home of the Hoagie,” will soon make its triumphant return at a new location in Griffith.

The 70-year-old institution, which specializes in pizza, pasta and its celebrated Ham Hoagie, closed last year after the owner of its longtime home at Broad Street and 61st Avenue in Griffith sold the building.

Romano’s, which originally opened in Highland in 1948, has relocated to 1927 45th St. in the Griffland Plaza shopping center. Owner Myke Romano said he hopes to open as soon as May 15, but more work remains to be done.

The restaurant’s Ham Hoagie — Polish ham and secret pizza cheeses stuffed into a Vienna bun — was honored as an icon of Region cuisine in The Times’ 50 Dishes of the South Shore.

Reopening 

Tequila Restaurante, a Mexican restaurant that once had locations in Crown Point, Dyer and Las Vegas, vowed it would return when its lease at 110 S. Main St. on the Courthouse Square in downtown Crown Point ended to make room for the tony new Provecho Latin Provisions and its high-end tapas plates.

Though such promises sometimes prove empty, Tequila is in fact coming back for another rodeo.

The restaurant posted on Facebook it would bring back the menu at Pheasant Valley Golf Course at 3838 W. 141st Ave. in Crown Point. The new location will seat 150 and another 20 at the bar, and have ample parking.

“Opening date will be posted soon,” Tequila Restaurante posted on Facebook. “Can’t wait to cheers with all our loyal customers.”

Tequila Restaurante was known for its margaritas, guacamole made table side and unorthodox items like Mexican crab cakes, cilantro-rita and Mexican-style lake perch bathed in a jalapeno/cilantro butter, which one online reviewer claimed was the best lake perch in the Region since Phil Smidt’s closed.

Closed?

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Harvest Room, Porkchop BBQ come to Region

Joseph S. Pete

[email protected], 219-933-3316

The farm-to-table Harvest Room restaurant, which has earned accolades from local critics like the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Vettel, plans to open another location in Munster.

The Palos Heights restaurant is known for its locally sourced produce, cage-free eggs, made-from-scratch cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails. A sample omelet is the “Super Fun Guy,” which includes balsamic caramelized onions, butternut squash, mushrooms and goat cheese. The “Mount Biscuit Skillet” features smoked brisket hash and a spicy sriracha swirl.

Harvest Room hopes to open a breakfast-and-lunch eatery in building D of the new Centennial Village in late spring. It will feature about 80 percent of the menu and include some new items.

Harvest Room’s owners Christ and Carri Sirigas said they saw Munster as “an untapped community of people that are knowledgeable, responsible and truly care about what they eat.”

“We make it our mission to make sure every fine diner has a unique experience and leaves with a sense of pride that they can tell their friends and family,” they said. “As far as other locations, we focus first to make sure we are doing our best for Munster and we will see where that takes us.”

For more information, visit harvestroomrestaurant.com.

Opened

Porkchop BBQ, a Chicago-based chain, finally opened its long-awaited Southlake Mall location. It joins other mall dining options like Cooper’s Hawk Winery, Schoop’s Hamburgers and Sbarro.

The barbecue joint promises “an urban interpretation of a Southern backwoods experience” that serves items like pulled pork sliders, fried ribs, smoked chicken, shrimp po’ boys and elote.

“It is an unapologetically unpretentious neighborhood party spot serving gourmet Southern comfort food and BBQ, and featuring an innovative ‘lowbrow’ bar program with some of the world’s top whiskeys,” Porkchop said on its website. 

Opening

OrangeTheory Fitness, a heart rate-monitored group workout that purports to be based on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption science, has opened at 852 N. Superior Drive in Crown Point and at 835 Joliet Street in Dyer.

The gym chain claims its hour-long workouts burn up to 1,000 calories an hour and to continue to burn calories for 36 hours afterwards through “afterburn” that stimulates the metabolism. The Florida-based high-intensity, high-interval training gym now has more than 600 locations across the United States.

Closing

Charter Fitness has shuttered its Schererville gym at 1642 U.S. 41 at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard.

The low-cost fitness center chain lets members work out for as little as $10 a month, but Yelp reviewers complained about a dearth of exercise equipment and broken weight machines. It has dozens of locations in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, including on Broadway in Merrillville.

Opportunity

The Urban League of Northwest Indiana is looking to find someone to rent space in its headquarters at 3101 Broadway by the Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary.

“We are looking for people who are primarily engaged in the areas of education, health or business but are open to other considerations,” President and Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Allen-McCloud. “The space would be available from Monday through Thursday during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A desk, chair, computer, access to phone service, conference room, copier and fax options are all included in the monthly rental fee of $700.”

Anyone who’s interested can call 219-887-9621.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Lincoln Flats brings unique food to downtown Valpo and revives Strongbow turkey schnitzel

German immigrant Ernest Buck moved to Valparaiso in 1926, couldn’t find any jobs in his bricklayer trade and opened a shoe store to fill a void he saw in town.

The native of Bavaria originally worked as a shoemaker by the Valparaiso University campus, but moved downtown after getting bought out by a Gary mobster who wanted to open a pizzeria there.

The family ran Buck’s Shoe Repair in the Lincoln Flats building at 1 Napoleon St. from 1926 until 2009.

Ernest Buck’s grandson Steve Buck, an optometrist, restored and renovated the historic building, which he’s converted into a new restaurant that provides “innovative cuisine, impeccable service and top-notch wines, beers and spirits in a relaxed environment.”

“There’s a lot of history,” he said.

Buck opened the new restaurant Lincoln Flats with his friend Russ Adams, formerly of Strongbow Inn. They’ve brought back Strongbow’s popular turkey schnitzel using the original recipe, but adding a bed of spätzle to give it a more German twist.

The menu focuses on traditional American cuisine with twists, such as fish and chips with bluegill fillets and a spin on St. Elmo shrimp cocktail with avocado and wasabi.

“I’ve always been interested in wine and craft beer, and wanted to have a location that was casual and would have some unique food,” Buck said. “It’s not white tablecloth. It’s casual. We’ve tried to keep entrees between $9 and $20 to create a good value. Our portion sizes are a little larger, and we would love to see people share.”

Lincoln Flats has a wine list with $25 to $300 bottles and 16 craft beers on tap, including from 18th Street, New Oberpfalz and One Trick Pony. It also serves extensive spirits, including Hoosier bourbons such as Tanner’s Creek Bourbon and Old No. 55, made from Indiana sweet corn mash.

“We want to have fun with craft cocktails. They’re kind of whimsical,” Buck said. “We have a gimlet called the Gimmy Hendricks, an Endless Summer named after the old surfer movie with vodka that’s light and refreshing. Many have rock and roll themes. We take our food and wine seriously but not ourselves. We’re not a pretentious restaurant. We don’t do fine dining, we do great dining.”

The restaurant seats 72 people and will have an outdoor patio that will start out with about 32 seats so as not to strain the kitchen, but which could be expanded in the future.

Lincoln Flats is near Valparaiso’s downtown Central Park Plaza and has a liquor license that allows carryout, so Buck is looking at offering boxed lunches with half bottles of wine for picnics like those at Ravinia north of Chicago.

“Nobody else is doing it, and it would make us unique,” he said. “We also have this 21-foot-long, 50-inch-wide piece of black walnut for the bar that is magnificent. It’s a gorgeous piece of expoxied wood and this honeycomb was just left in there. You can look into the fissure and see dead bees to remind you it was a living organism.”

Valparaiso residents have embraced the restaurant since it opened near the end of January.

“If you’re looking for a casual environment with a great wine selection and innovative food, this is the place,” Buck said.

Lincoln Flats is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 

For more information, call (219) 510-5046, visit www.lincolnflatsvalpo.com or find Lincoln Flats on Facebook.

Closed

Minion’s Express, a “Despicable Me”-themed restaurant at 4705 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago, met the same fate as a supervillain’s minions in so many Hollywood films.

The hibachi grill that also served Asian food, fried chicken and fish in a strip mall in downtown East Chicago has permanently closed after opening in 2016.

It served smoothies in lightbulb-shaped glasses one reviewer described as “so stinking cute” and had bright digital menus and a clean modern ambiance.

Open

New U-Haul dealerships have opened in Chesterton, Hebron and Harvey. 

U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is renting out U-Haul trucks, towing equipment and moving supplies at MAK Repairs at 513 W. Pratt St. in Hebron, Adam’s Towing & Repair at 1704 Old Porter Road in Chesterton, and Jones Auto at 267 E. 150th St. in Harvey.

Anyone moving can access the trucks at those locations at any time day or night with just a smartphone.

For more information, visit uhaul.com.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Pho Hoa + Jazen Tea coming to Crown Point, uBreakiFix opening two more Region locations

Fans of Vietnamese street food will soon have another place to slurp the savory noodle soup pho when a California-based chain opens soon just north of downtown Crown Point.

Pho Hoa + Jazen Tea hopes to open at 1101 N. Main St. in Crown Point by July 1 if gets all the necessary approvals from the city by then, Marketing & Sales Manager Thi Nguyen said.

The 35-year old restaurant operates more than 60 franchises worldwide, including in Canada, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan, and claims to be the largest Vietnamese fast-casual chain in the world. The Crown Point location will be its first eatery in the state of Indiana.

“It’s a very healthy conscious menu with pho soups, soup broths, spring rolls, egg rolls and rice plates with salmon, chicken and our signature lemon grass pork chop,” Nguyen said.

It’s a dual brand with a fast-casual restaurant on one side and a Starbucks-like tea shop on the other, she said. Jazen Tea specializes in freshly brewed jasmine tea drinks made with fresh fruit, such as the Berry Blossom strawberry raspberry tea with strawberry fruit bits; a green tea with strawberry, mango and pineapple bits; a Honey Delight honey jasmine green tea with chia seeds, strawberry fruit bits; aloe vera; and a mango mojito with minty lime mango peach tea with mango fruit bits.

Pho Hoa’s menu includes many variations on pho, a broth- and herb-based soup that can be ordered with steak, brisket, or meatballs. It also has vegetarian options, rice plates and vermicelli bowls with proteins like prawns and pork that is locally sourced whenever possible.

“When it comes to food and drinks, people are looking for healthier options to dine,” Nguyen said. “We’re health-conscious and make our food with local ingredients. It’s very healthy but also very flavorful.”

Pho Hoa has been growing across the country.

“The owner was a Vietnamese refugee,” she said. “Anybody can come here and live the American dream. There was an influx of refugees who came over, made an income, worked hard, and built their own wealth. The owner realized the American dream.”

Open

uBreakiFix, a chain of tech repair stores, has opened in Highland and plans to open another store in Michigan City soon.

uBreakiFix Schererville at 2305 Main St. Unit B2 in Highland, across from the Highland Grove Shopping Center right on the Schererville border, will fix smartphones, gaming consoles and other assorted gadgets and gizmos that people drop or that just suddenly stopped working one day.

The electronics repair company also opened a store in Portage earlier this year and is working to open a store at 4357 Franklin St. in Michigan City where people will be able to have cracked screens, broken charge ports or tablets dropped into the toilet fixed.

The Highland store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 219-595-0037 or visit www.ubreakifix.com.

Reopened 

Family Dollar has reopened its newly renovated dollar store at 2626 Central Ave. in Lake Station.

“Family Dollar is proud to be a part of the Lake Station community and we’re excited to welcome existing and new customers to our newly renovated store,” Family Dollar spokesperson Heather Briganti said. “In addition to providing everyday low prices and a broad assortment of merchandise, we have expanded our selection of food, beauty and essentials, household products, and seasonal items. Our renovated store should provide even greater value and convenience to our shoppers.”

The discount chain sells many, but not all, items for $1.

The Lake Station Family Dollar is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 219-962-5498.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Angelo’s Prime shutters all locations, Crown Point and Hammond ALDIs reopen

Angelo’s, an institution for decades in the south suburbs that recently expanded to the Tri-Town, abruptly shuttered all its locations.

An eviction noticed was posted outside Angelo’s Prime at 1542 U.S. 41 in Schererville, a lunch restaurant sport and specialty grocery store that sold truffle butter, prosciutto, wild caught fish, imported olive oils, house-made pastas, freeze-dried steaks from Meats by Linz, and homemade Italian meatballs with a three-meat blend of veal, pork and beef.

The phone number is disconnected, as are the numbers to the now-closed Angelo’s Fresh Markets in Flossmoor and Tinley Park.

The owners could not be reached for comment, but Angelo’s Prime manager Brian Brundage told The Times earlier this year that the Italian restaurant and boutique grocery had been struggling since the neighboring Ashley Homestore closed, which killed off 80 percent of the foot traffic.

He said the landlord refused to make concessions, charging the same amount for rent even though there was no longer an anchor tenant to draw customers to the shopping center.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Gloria Jean’s coming to C.P.; new Griffith gyros joint replaces one that allegedly put cocaine in cheese stick order

A Gloria Jean’s coffee shop will caffeinate Crown Point early next year, and a new franchisee is looking to open as many as seven locations in Northwest Indiana and another 20 across greater Chicagoland. 

Raed Naser signed a franchise agreement in December for the coffee shop chain, known for flavored coffees such as Blueberry Sunrise and Pistachio Nut Coffee, Chiller frozen coffee drinks, and espresso drinks with flavored syrups. The largely mall-based chain, which was founded in Chicago in 1979, has been looking to grow with standalone or strip mall locations with drive-throughs since it was acquired by Australia-based Retail Food Group.

Naser, his wife Noor Musleh, his brother and their family plan to open their first Northwest Indiana location at the end of a strip mall at 200 E. 109th Ave. at the corner of Broadway and 109th Avenue in Crown Point.

“Crown Point is growing,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity, and close to Interstate 65.”

He then plans to open six more locations across the Region.

“We’re looking at markets like Valparaiso, Schererville, Munster, Highland, Merrillville and St. John,” he said. “Customers like having options. Gloria Jean’s has more than 900 locations now, and the new owner is pushing the pedal to open more stores. Consumers like the flavored coffee, with the flavor coming from the beans and not syrup. It’s good quality coffee.”

Currently, the only Gloria Jean’s coffee shop in Northwest Indiana is in the Southlake Mall in Hobart. Naser said all the new locations would have drive-throughs.

Opened

Griffith Gyros at 105 N. Broad St. closed after its owner was charged in 2016 with punching an employee, knocking him to the floor, and threatening to shoot him in front of customers, police said.

It was replaced with Broad Street Gyros, which made international news last year after police arrested the owner after a customer allegedly found a bag of cocaine instead of the more traditional marinara sauce in a take-home order of cheese sticks, a story that was covered by news outlets as far away as England and New Zealand. 

Broad Street Gyros is, of course, no more after allegedly serving a side of cocaine with its mozzarella sticks, since the Griffith Town Council quickly acted to revoke its business license, but a new gyros restaurant has opened in the spot in downtown Griffith.

Muncheez and More now serves gyros, Italian beef, burgers, Philly cheese steaks, fried chicken, tacos, burritos, bosco sticks, fried mushrooms and steak nachos. It’s mainly a take-out restaurant, but also has 20-25 seats for dining in.

Muncheez and More is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 219-301-7162.

Opened

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is now selling “good stuff cheap” in LaPorte.

The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based discount retailer opened Wednesday at 69 1/2 Pine Lake Ave. in the Pine Lake Shopping Center next to Kroger.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, which has more than 270 locations nationwide, specializes in closeout merchandise, irregular items, discontinued products, liquidated goods, and overstock inventory that changes daily. It’s the kind of place where one might snap up random finds like a robotic vaccum, a drone, a waffle maker, a cookware set, patio furniture, rugs or a Himalayan salt lamp.

The LaPorte store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call (219) 380-5761.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Tequila and Tacos opens in Miller, Region’s first floating studio open in Schererville

A long-awaited Mexican restaurant is serving up tacos and pouring many varieties of tequila “less than five minutes from the beach” in Gary’s lakefront Miller neighborhood.

The straightforwardly named Tequila and Tacos, where you get exactly what’s advertised, opened at 642 S. Lake St., where the short-lived Brasserie coffee shop used to be. The Tequila and Tacos signage had been on the storefront for months and months before the restaurant finally threw open the doors to its tequila bar and taco kitchen.

Tequila and Tacos’ menu includes a variety of tacos, including steak, shrimp, salmon, jerk, barbacoa and vegetarian, as well as appetizers like guacamole, empanadas and wings. It carries a number of high-end tequilas and other liquors, and whips up specialty cocktails like the Tequila Oasis, the Matador, the Mexican Moscow Mule, the Sidecar and the Kentucky Sunrise. 

Tequila and Tacos is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-939-7136 or find it on Facebook.

Open

Say what you will about Northwest Indiana, it no longer lacks a flotation and sensory deprivation studio.

St. John resident Gloria Morris opened a Float Sixty — the sort of amenity that’s more commonly found in places like Chicago, Los Angeles or Nashville — at 322 Indianapolis Blvd. in Schererville in a professional complex across from Omni Health & Fitness back in March. Clients there chill out in shallow flotation tanks that are filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts that give them buoyancy.

Float spas have caught on as a wellness concept in bigger cities, as they calm people and give them the opportunity to relax in a technologically overloaded age by reducing outside sensory stimulation as much as possible. People can completely unplug for an hour as they gently bob in about a foot of water, with or without light and music, depending on whether they find total darkness to be relaxing.

The Float Sixty float and cryotherapy studio is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and reservations are strongly recommended.

For more information, call 844-356-2860 or visit www.floatsixty.com.

Open

Rosati’s, the Chicago-style pizzeria that opened its first location in Mount Prospect in 1964, continues to grow across the Region.

Rosati’s recently opened a sit-down restaurant in Cedar Lake at 13125 Lake Shore Dr., right across from the lake. The sports pub offers dining in, take-out and delivery of pizzas, pastas, calzones, wings, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Pizza options include thin crust, deep dish and gluten free.

The chain, which has been franchising since 1978, also recently opened a carryout and delivery-focused location at 332 Indianapolis Blvd. in Schererville.

Rosati’s also operates restaurants in Dyer, Hobart, Crown Point and on U.S. 30 in Schererville. 

The new Cedar Lake and Schererville restaurants are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

The Schererville location can be reached at 219-440-7943, and the Cedar Lake restaurant can be reached at 219-267-8700.

Open

Dollar General reopened its store at at 2828 Central Ave. in Lake Station after extensive renovations that include an updated layout and design.

The Tennessee-based company, which offers prices as low as $1 on food, housewares, cleaning supplies, health products and other sundries, expanded its frozen and refrigerated grocery options in Lake Station.

“Through our ongoing commitment to provide a pleasant shopping experience to our customers, we are excited to welcome the community to see our recently remodeled located in Lake Station,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “We hope our customers enjoy the fresh layout and design, as well as the new product assortment including produce and expanded food assortments.”

The store is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call 219-962-6173.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Food Network-featured cupcake shop, Taco Bell, pho restaurant opening

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, which has been featured on the Food Network and The View, plans to bring a wide array of cupcakes and ice cream flavors to Schererville, and perhaps later to Crown Point.

Local Gloria Jean’s franchisee Raed Naser, his wife Noor Musleh, his brother and their family plan to open a Smallcakes in early November next to the new Buona Beef in the Shoppes on the Boulevard strip mall on Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville.

The 1,500-square-foot cupcakery and ice cream parlor at 336 Indianapolis Boulevard will seat 12 customers and employ at least seven people, who will come in as early as 3 a.m. to bake 18 different flavors of cupcakes and hand-make 14 different kinds of ice cream.

“There are never the exact same flavors, except for signature flavors like red velvet, peanut butter cup, wedding cake, birthday cake and chocolate fudge,” Raed Naser said. “The flavors are different every single day and we never sell leftovers — they’re all donated to charity.”

The franchise now has more than 200 locations worldwide, including one in Carmel and one in Orland Park. The Schererville location would be the second in Indiana. It will sell gourmet cupcakes for about $3.60 as well as “ice cream smashes” in which the cupcakes are served a la mode. 

“Hopefully, sometime we’ll be able to open another store in Crown Point,” he said. “It has cupcakes and ice cream, so it’s not a seasonal business. There’s a dessert for everyone year round.”

Coming soon

Those who Live Mas or Think Outside the Bun can soon make a “run for the border” near the Indiana/Illinois state border.

A new Taco Bell is under construction on U.S. 30 just east of the McDonald’s restaurant at 915 Joliet St., not far from the Taco Bell that closed a few years ago at U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville.

The California-based Tex-Mex chain known for its inexpensive approximation of Mexican food, which is especially popular with teenagers and people returning home from bars, is building a 2,053-square-foot eatery with a drive-through for $1.3 million. Dyer Building Clerk Maureen Decresenzo said the fast food restaurant will have a capacity of 40 seats and a patio that could seat another 12.

Opening

Pho Hoa + Jazen Tea will have a grand opening July 27 and 28 at 1101 N. Main St. in Crown Point.

The fast-casual Vietnamese street food restaurant will employ about 25 workers and seat 60 in its 5,000-square-foot eatery. For its grand opening it will offer buy-one-get-one-free pho soups and Jazen Tea fruit and milk teas, as well as give the first 1,000 customers coupons for free teas if they buy a regular pho soup in August.

The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-323-3118 or visit www.phohoa.com.

Closed

Wally’s Gyros at 7343 Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond’s Woodmar neighborhood is no more.

The gyros joint in south Hammond served a wide array of fast foods, including chicken wings, fried fish, burritos and Philly cheese steaks. It opened in 2015.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Kali Beauty, cupcake shop, smartphone repair shop open

Kali Beauty aims to make the Region look its best after opening a new store in Schererville.

The family-owned retail chain, “where beauty gets done,” is located at 1036 U.S. 41 next to Planet Fitness in Schererville. Founder and CEO Rasem Isa hopes eventually to make the retailer, which offers a wide array of cosmetic products for hair, skin and nails, a household name.

The 8,600-square-foot store, which opened last, features The Beauty Bar, a full-service Paul Mitchell Focus salon owned by Schererville native Danette Gorelick.

Kali Beauty also has locations in Hammond and Lansing and prides itself on customer service and “having a run, positive atmosphere.” 

“Kali Beauty caters to both women and men as well as ethnicities of all backgrounds, citing that each have unique needs,” the company said in a press release. “Each Kali Beauty retail store hosts a private full-service salon, featuring hair, skin and brow services. Kali Beauty offers their customers with a catalog of over 6,000 beauty products. Kali Beauty has what you need to live beautifully.”

A grand opening in Schererville is planned for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4. The new store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 844-742-2244 or visit kalibeauty.com.

Open

Now you can satisfy your sweet tooth while shopping at a chic boutique in downtown Griffith.

Cute as a Cupcake! Cupcakery & Bake Shop in Merrillville has opened an express location inside the Bee & Me boutique at 100 S. Broad St. in Griffith.

The cupcakery offers 20 different types of cupcakes a day in the store at the corner of Broad and Main streets, as well as cupcake pops and “cutie cupcakes” served in mason jars so they can be more easily transported in a purse or shopping bag.

Michelle Wainwright founded the business in 2015 after she was laid off after 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry. She initially sold cupcakes at local farmers markets, then got a kiosk at the Southlake Mall before opening a standalone brick-and-mortar location at 2008 W. 81st Ave. in Merrillville and launching a food truck that travels to various Region festivals.

All the cupcakes are made from scratch, using recipes from Wainwright’s 91-year-old grandmother. Top sellers include red velvet, turtle, strawberry eclair and Dutch caramel apple.

“Our customers like that they’re always baked from scratch,” she said. “We have 30 different flavors at the main store, including vegan and gluten-free options because we understand people here have different lifestyles and dietary needs.”

The new express location in Griffith will have its own counter with pre-packaged cupcakes people could either sit and enjoy in seating next to a child’s play area or take home. It also will offer bottled water and pop.

“We want to try a store within a store, like a Starbucks inside a Target,” she said. “It’s a collaboration between two women business owners bringing two businesses to the same location in Griffith, where we can both hopefully take advantage of the same customer.”

Waitwright has been approached about franchising Cupcake! Cupcakery & Bake Shop and is looking to eventually expand.

“The economy is growing in Northwest Indiana, and demand is growing for cupcakes,” she said.

Cute as a Cupcake’s Griffith express store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call 219-472-0858 or visit cuteasacupcake3.com.

Open 

uBreakiFix opened at 4357 Franklin St. in Michigan City, its third Northwest Indiana location after Portage and Schererville.

As the name implies, the growing tech repair company fixes smartphones, tablets, game consoles, drones and even hoverboards. Its technicians fix cracked screens, broken cameras, software glitches and other technical problems.

Owners Angelo and Alexandra Giannakopoulos plan four more locations across Northwest Indiana and the south suburbs.

“Michigan City is a wonderful area with a great trade community,” Angelo Giannakopoulos said. “We recognized a tremendous need for professional, reliable tech repair in Michigan City and beyond, and we look forward to filling that gap by becoming the go-to tech repair resource for local businesses and consumers.”

uBreakiFix has been growing fast since it was founded in 2009 and ranked 18th on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list.

“At uBreakiFix, our goal is to take the hassle of a broken device and create the most positive, convenient experience possible for our customers,” said Justin Wetherill, one of the founders. “We are a customer service company first, and a tech repair company second. As we expand into Michigan City, we look forward to becoming the trusted resource to keep consumers and businesses connected to the things and people who matter most.”

The Michigan City store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 219-221-6696 or visit ubreakifix.com/locations/MichiganCity.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Tzatziki Greek Street Food, Coffee Cabin, ALDI open

A Greek restaurant in Hammond has gone from a sit-down eatery to a fast-casual place that specializes in the type of street food one could find in Athens.

The Stuffed Pepper at 7231 Indianapolis Blvd. is now Tzatziki Greek Street Food, a Chipotle-style restaurant where diners can customize pitas, salads and bowls with proteins like Greek-style gyros, Greek-American gyros, chicken gyros and salmon, and sauces like hummus, tirokafteri, htipiti and the namesake tzatziki cucumber sauce.

“We went from tableside service to fast-casual,” manager Andrew Holevas said. “It’s like when you walk into a Chipotle, it’s all in the counter in front of you. We have the type of gyros you’d find on the street of Athens, with pork, pork bellies, not the ground beef and lamb they serve in the states.”

Holevas said the restaurant was closed and reopened with the new concept to cut costs, since it wasn’t bringing in enough traffic to support a sit-down operation.

Tzatziki Greek Street Food still serves many of the old Stuffed Pepper favorites, including kebobs, lemon rice soup, moussaka, pastitsio, dolmades and spanakopita.

“Everything is homemade, which is the big different between us and a chain restaurant,” he said. “We have fresh-squeezed lemonade and fries that are hand-cut right in front of you and thrown into the deep fryer.”

For more information, call 219-803-0273 or visit www.facebook.com/tzatzikigreek/.

Open 

Coffee Cabin, the woodsy gourmet drive-through coffee shop that’s been caffeinating motorists on U.S. 30 in Schererville, is now going to give shoppers in Highland a jolt.

A Coffee Cabin has opened inside the Highland Meijer at 10138 Indianapolis Blvd..

Coffee Cabin offers an array of coffees, blended coffees, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and fresh-baked pastries. It had plans to open as many as 15 Pacific Northwest-style drive-through coffee stands when the Schererville location first opened in 2015.

For more information, visit www.coffeecabin.com.

Reopened

ALDI has reopened in Merrillville after extensive renovations.

The no-frills discount German chain that makes customers use quarters to liberate shopping carts overhauled its store at 10 W. 81st Ave. ALDI is in the middle of spending $1.9 billion on renovations to 1,300 stores nationwide, including more than 130 stores in Chicago and Northwest Indiana by 2020.

“Our remodeled store layout will simplify the shopping experience for customers, so they can get out the door with everything they need,” said David Zalunardo, Valparaiso division vice president for ALDI. “We’re excited to unveil these changes in a great market like Merrillville, where we already have passionate, loyal customers.”

The new layout features open ceilings, natural light and environmentally friendly building materials, according to the retailer. The new design puts more emphasis on fresh food, produce, dairy and baked goods.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: El Salto, Octave Grill relocating

El Salto Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is the latest restaurant to open in Munster’s new Centennial Village development on Calumet Avenue and 45th Street, which has been emerging as a major dining hub in west Lake County.

The locally opened Mexican restaurant chain, which has six locations across Northwest Indiana, moved its “authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine” about a mile-and-half south down Calumet Avenue. El Salto, known for traditional Mexican fare like tacos, flauta, enchiladas, tostadas and quesadillas, had been located at the historic brick Old Town Hall at Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road in Munster for 13 years. 

“It was time for us to move to a new location,” owner Robert Mendoza said. “It’s a new place and we figured Centennial Village would be the place to be. It’s a place where people are going to be going. It’s going to be a hangout.”

El Salto joins The Simple Greek, Kitara Surf & Turf & Sushi and the forthcoming Harvest Room in the new development, which also will eventually include residential units.

Its new restaurant at 9611 Calumet Ave. in Munster is about the same size as the previous location with about 150 to 160 seats. But El Salto added a patio with about 25 more seats outside, a private area that seats up to 30 and has a larger bar that seats about 15 to 18, and has 16 beers on tap instead of two.

“It has a big beautiful bar while the old place had a small tiny bar,” Mendoza said. “It’s very elegant. We plan to do a new drink menu with more margaritas, tequila drinks and martinis.”

The bar also will be open late on weekends and sometimes host live music after hours.

“We might make a few changes on the menu,” Mendoza said. “But it’s the same place with the same food. We expect our loyal customers will follow us and to gain a few more new customers.”

A grand opening is planned at 5 p.m. Aug. 10. There will be a mariachi band and food deals all day.

El Salto is closed on Monday and open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219.836.0600 or visit elsaltorestaurant.com

Relocating 

Octave Grill, the beloved burger restaurant in Chesterton, temporarily closed while relocating to a new space at 105 S. Calumet Road.

Named after early aviation pioneer Octave Chanute, who flew a glider that inspired the Wright Brothers on the Indiana Dunes, the eatery serves up creative, gourmet burgers made with Tallgrass Beef from newscaster Bill Kurtis, whose company supplies premium grass-fed beef.

The chef-driven burgers are topped with high-end ingredients. The Figgy Piggy burger, for instance, features fig jam, capriole organic goat cheese, bacon and greens. The Jerk Store, a nod to “Seinfeld,” includes seared jerk-dredged chicken, giardiniera, Saxon smoked gouda, lemon aioli, greens, tomato and onion on a french roll.

There’s a rotating burger of the month, craft beer and menu offerings like sweet potato tater tots, goat cheese fondue, blistered edamame and perch cakes.

For more information, visit www.octavegrill.com or find the Octave Grill on Facebook.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Coyote Cantina, Frida’s, The Market at 119 close; bakery, day care and fitness studio opening

The artsy Frida’s Café, a cafe and art gallery in Hammond’s Hessville neighborhood named after the internationally renowned painter Frida Kahlo, has closed, but is open to the possibility of reopening at a new location at some point in the future.

“We are sorry that we are forced to close Frida’s Café at our Hessville location permanently,” the coffee shop and restaurant posted on its Facebook page. “We had hoped we could resolve the technical difficulties with the kitchen facilities but unfortunately that has not happened. We apologize for any inconveniences that these issues may have caused you. We are looking into our future possibilities and welcome your continued interest in our venue and events. If you would like to be notified about our progress, please feel free to join our Facebook and Instagram page.”

Owner Maria Cokys-Reyes moved the cafe to 6725 Kennedy Avenue in the White Ripple Gallery Hammond a few years ago, relocating it from downtown East Chicago. The coffee shop and restaurant was colorfully decorated with copies of Kahlo’s paintings, Day of the Dead skulls, and festive Mexican folk art.

It aimed to expose people to Mexican food beyond tacos and burritos, offering items like molletes bean and cheese bread and guajalotas, a torta from Mexico City that stuffed two tamales and various toppings into a bolillo roll, as well as a full range of coffee drinks.

Closed

Coyote Cantina in Schererville, a chef-driven restaurant that cooked up elevated, contemporary Mexican cuisine like one might find in Chicago, abruptly closed, but may just be tinkering with its concept.

“Coyote Cantina is currently closed,” a sign posted on the door said. “Please watch for exciting new changes in the near future! We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your patronage.”

Chef Dudley Nieto, who’s opened a number of restaurants such as Mezcalina, Adobo Grill and Chapuline in Chicago, and Bar Taco, Rosa Mexicano-Lincoln Center and Dos Caminos Park Avenue in New York City, came up with the concept for the Schererville restaurant, which served fine modern Latin cuisine and speciality tequila-based cocktails made with fresh fruits. It opened last year.

The sit-down restaurant had replaced the defunct Bagger Dave’s at 1090 U.S. 41 in a strip mall anchored by Planet Fitness.

Closing

The Market at 119 has been auctioning off inventory like rustic windmills, hanging olive buckets and round Santorini beach towels as it prepared to close its current location at 1600 119th St. Suite B in Whiting at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The owners of the boutique told customers on Facebook they plan to relocate, but don’t have a location picked out yet.

The family-owned business opened in downtown Whiting in 2017, selling shabby-chic farmhouse decor, country vintage, architectural salvage, restored home furnishings and unique home decor. It carried many locally made items like biscotti, bath bombs, toffee and handmade purses.

For more information, visit www.themarketat119.com or follow The Market at 119 on Facebook.

Open

The fitness boutique studio She Fit is getting warmed up in Dyer.

The studio at 14785 W. 101st Ave. specializes in group fitness class for women of all fitness levels, including cardio kickboxing, cardio bounce, high-intensity interval training, Pilates, and “inner vixen.”

“We’re excited to bring our new fitness experience to Dyer, and we encourage everyone to come check out the new club, meet our amazing staff, get a tour and see what She Fit is all about,”  She Fit Member Engagement Manager Cheryl Nelson said.

A grand opening with hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and class demos will take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 1.

For more information, visit www.shefitstudio.com or call 888-501-7525.

Opening 

The Kiddie Academy plans to open an educational child care facility in Crown Point in early 2019, likely January or February.

The business offers full-time care, kindergarten before- and after-school care and educational summer camps to children between 6 weeks and 12 years. 

“Although scheduled to open in January or February 2019, the owners are excited to introduce their well-trained, attentive staff to local area parents and some of the 36,224 children in Lake County,” spokeswoman Vitoria Perez said. “They look forward to assisting local children in developing the confidence and self-esteem necessary they need to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

Coming soon

The bakery Nothing Bundt Cake is coming to Schererville’s Shops on Main shopping center, town manager Robert Volkmann said.

Nothing Bundt Cake, which has locations across the country, including many in the Chicago suburbs, will fill in the vacant space where Firehouse Subs used to be in a strip mall out by Indianapolis Boulevard, Volkmann said. The bakery specializes in bundt cakes made with real eggs, butter and cream cheese in flavors like chocolate chip, vanilla, red velvet, lemon, pecan praline and white chocolate raspberry.

Volkmann said the build-out would likely take some time, because the kitchen of the former sandwich shop would need to be transformed into a bakery.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Barbecue restaurant coming to Valpo; Aldi’s, Salon Diva reopened

Jordy N Jax BBQ signed a lease to open a new restaurant at 255 E. Morthland Drive, at the southwest corner of U.S. 30 and Washington Street in Valparaiso.

The restaurant will serve barbecue, beer and wine when it opens this fall, according to a press release by Latitude Commercial, the Schererville-based commercial real estate firm that brokered the deal. Renovations are underway.

“Jordy N Jax will serve the same great food as their Roselawn location with plenty of new menu items,” Latitude Commercial’s Antoy Miocic said. “This is a great addition to Valparaiso.”

Reopened

The German grocery chain Aldi has reopened its newly renovated stores in St. John and Calumet City.

The discount supermarket, known for its off-brand products, no-frills stores and shopping cart corrals that require a quarter to liberate a cart, reopened its store at 9921 Earl Drive in St. John.

“Our remodeled store layout will simplify the shopping experience for customers, so they can get out the door with everything they need,” said David Zalunardo, Valparaiso division vice president for ALDI. “We’re excited to unveil these changes in a great market like St. John, where we already have passionate, loyal customers.”

A new more modern design in the Tri-town location emphasizes fresh food, produce, dairy and baked goods. 

Aldi has been investing $180 million in more than 130 stores throughout Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland, including the Calumet City location.

The supermarket had a grand opening for its Cal City store at 1490 Torrence Ave. on Thursday. The newly renovated store features natural lighting, environmentally-friendly building materials and open ceilings.

Aldi is undergoing aggressive expansion plans nationwide and intends to hire 25,000 more workers across the country by 2022.

Reopened

Salon Diva moved to a larger location at 658 S. Washington St. in Valparaiso after a fire rampaged through its former home in Thornapple Plaza strip mall on U.S. 30 last year, displacing half a dozen businesses.

“When it happened, clients still had color on their hair and foils on their heads,” owner Christy Pedersen said. “It started in the business right next door, and an employee came over and asked for a fire extinguisher. It was a hot mess.”

The 15-year-old Salon Diva hair salon moved in with Attitudes Hair Salon in Valparaiso, a building owner Todd Guyer eventually sold to Pedersen.

“He had been in business for longer than I have and we knew one another,” she said. “I’ve been told we’re both very much alike at being bosses. He has a good heart. I had nowhere to go with my staff of 20 to 25 and he was very generous and let us rent space.”

Salon Diva gained another 1,000 square feet that has helped it serve more customers. It recently renovated the building so it looks more like its old salon.

“It’s a nice story,” she said. “He gave us this opportunity when we had no other place to go. We were very lucky he had this place. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, but we’ve been able to gain some new employees, more square footage and some new clients. It’s been a blessing in disguise.”

For more information, call 219-462-4000 or visit www.salondivavalparaiso.net.

Closed

The Rosebud Farm Stand in Chicago’s Riverdale neighborhood on the far South Side abruptly closed and was boarded up.

The produce market and meat shop stood at 525 E. 130th, not far north of the Calumet River, for generations.

No one answered the phone, and the owners could not be reached for comment.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: ‘One of Chicago’s best restaurants’ opens Munster location, Denny’s in Merrillville closes, Fresh to Order opens

Widely respected Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettel named Harvest Room, in south suburban Palos Heights, one of Chicago’s best restaurants, praising its eco-conscious ingredients.

Now the farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch has come to Munster. 

Harvest Room opened at 9625 Calumet Ave., part of Munster’s Centennial Village, about a week ago. Menu items include a Pineapple Express omelet with smoked pineapple, ham smoked Gouda cheese and hoisin sauce; Bravocado toast with griddled English muffin, avocado, white goddess dressing, mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and pickled red onion black salt; and a Steel Mill burger that pays homage to the former Munster Steel, with two Strauss Farm grass-fed beef patties, house-brined pickle relish, balsamic caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and HR special sauce. Appetizers include Scotch eggs and sheet pan poutine.

Owners Christ Sirigas and Carri Sirigas said they were surprised by the craving in Munster for unique specialties.

“Farm-to-table is an old marker to put on a restaurant, but we try to be farm-fresh with everything,” Christ Sirigas said. “We get our pork from Legacy Farms in Indiana, our beef straight from Wisconsin and our eggs from Iowa. We do everything the right way and are transparent with where it’s from. We think that makes a difference in how it tastes.”

Harvest Room emphasizes freshness.

“We want meat where we know the farm it comes from, not from a thousand different cows. We want eggs from a couple days before, not that were preserved for two or three weeks. But we don’t want to hit anyone over the head with it,” he said. “The concept is to provide the best quality food around that tastes great. The food is just as good if they ask no questions. If they want more information, however, we’re happy to provide it.”

The 4,400-square-foot restaurant employs about 20 workers and seats 154. It has an all-cedar patio that seats an additional 36, and the owners plan to add a steel girder pergola later this year.

The bar seats 35 people, serving hand-crafted cocktails, including margaritas made with fresh lime juice, an endless bloody Mary at brunch and tea-steeped vodka cocktails.

Harvest Room is looking to host corporate events and has private rooms that can accommodate 30 to 60 people. The owners eventually hope to add a dinner option. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, as well as for pop-up dinners and private events.

For more information, call 219-595-5575 or email [email protected].

Closed 

The Denny’s at U.S. 30 and Interstate 65 in Merrillville, a frequent haunt of high school students, interstate travelers and nearby office workers, has served its last Grand Slam breakfast.

The chain diner at 720 E 81st St. shuttered its location near the now-demolished Star Plaza Theatre and Radisson at Star Plaza hotel.

“Denny’s and its franchise partner have made the difficult decision to discontinue operations at its restaurant in Merrillville, Indiana,” a Denny’s spokeswoman said. “Denny’s and its franchisees regularly evaluate each of its restaurants to ensure they meet business objectives, and in this case it was determined that discontinuing operations is the best course for the restaurant at this location.”

The spokeswoman declined to answer additional questions.

Opening

El Salto, a local chain of sit-down Mexican restaurants, has put out billboards announcing it’s coming to Schererville.

The popular eatery recently relocated its Munster restaurant to Centennial Village. It also has locations in Portage, Chesterton, Valparaiso and Merrillville, as well as a Chipotle-like fast-casual El Salto Mexican Grill Express in a former Taco Bell at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville.

Open

Fresh to Order — a Georgia-based chain that specializes in “fresh, fine food, made to order, fast” — has opened its first Northwest Indiana location in a new strip mall in Merrillville.

The fast-casual chain restaurant is serving salads, soups, paninis and other deli-style fare at 540 81st Ave. The menu includes large plates such as grilled salmon, prime steak medallions, calamari, almond chicken skewers and small plates, including salmon roasted corn hush puppies, almond-crusted, seared tuna and blackened lime shrimp. Entrees range from $8.70 to $17.40. It offers bison burgers, grilled vegetable paninis, “chef-inspired soups” and an array of salads.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.freshtoorder.com.

Open

Epic Arts and Entertainment is now offering classes in dance, acting and modeling for children and adults in Space C-41 of the River Oaks Center in Calumet City.

The classes are taught by industry professionals for as little as $45 a month and can lead to opportunities for performances and agency representation. The school aspires to be the “Chicagoland area’s premier facility for performing arts training and entertainment industry services.”

For more information, call 708-735-1532 or email [email protected].

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Downtown Crown Point McDonald’s to reopen with self-order kiosks in November; Hammond tearing down Jefferson Hotel, getting new strip mall with Gloria Jean’s

One of the most heavily trafficked McDonald’s in the Region, in downtown Crown Point, is closed for renovations, but should reopen by the end of November with a whole new dining experience.

It’s getting self-order kiosks and table service.

“Beginning in August, the Crown Point McDonald’s restaurant located at 135 N. Main St. began construction to modernize and deliver a redesigned, elevated guest experience with new levels of choice, engagement and service, including a complete kitchen remodel,” McDonald’s owner/operator Jeffrey Templin said. “When the modernization is complete in November, guests will notice a modern look and feel with new designs and new ways of ordering, with self-order kiosks. Additionally, guests’ orders will be delivered to tables by crew members, allowing customers to relax and enjoy a more custom dining experience.”

The restaurant’s employees were moved to other McDonald’s until construction is complete. 

“We can’t wait to share the new McDonald’s experience with Crown Point area guests and look forward to offering them a new way to dine at McDonald’s,” Templin said.

McDonald’s and its franchisees are investing $168 million in modernizing and building 270 restaurants across the state of Indiana this year and in 2019.

The Chicago-based company said diners can expect modernized dining rooms with new furniture and locally inspired decor, digital menu boards and expanded McCafe counters.

“This is an exciting time for McDonald’s and we’re proud to be investing nearly $168 million to provide a new experience, look and feel for guests at 270 McDonald’s locations across Indiana,” said David Sparks, an owner/operator and president of the Greater Indiana Operators Co-op. “We are also pleased that our modernization supports local architecture, engineering and construction jobs across the great state of Indiana.”

Closed 

The Jefferson Hotel in downtown Hammond, a historic building that dates back to 1919, closed and is boarded up.

The rundown former Hotel Hammond mainly catered to transients and marginalized people in recent years, said David Mueller, the owner of Paul Henry’s Art Gallery across the street from the hotel.

“I worry about where they’ll go now,” he said.

The three-story building at 415 Sibley St. is not in pristine condition. The city of Hammond acquired it and has plans to tear it down, after having razed the former JCPenney department store building just west of it a few years ago.

“We acquired it at around the time we got the Hotel LaSalle and moved forward to relocate everyone,” Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said. “We can’t develop a business district if there are all these transients downtown. We got a lot of complaints from the business community about people standing around and just standing in front of buildings. It’s not conducive to the business environment we’re trying to create.”

Opening

A new strip mall is coming to south Hammond, on Indianapolis Boulevard across from Cabela’s and between an existing strip mall that includes Starbucks and the White Castle restaurant to the southeast.

A Gloria Jean’s coffee shop, AT&T store and chain barber shop plan to open in the new strip mall just off the Borman, McDermott said.

The timetable for construction was not immediately available. 

Relocating 

Illiana Music, a 9-year-old record store at 19528 Burnham Ave. in Lansing, plans to relocate to Hammond by the end of the month — at least temporarily.

The record shop, which sells vinyl records, CDs, T-shirts and stereo equipment, will move from its current 2,800-square-foot space in Lansing to a 4,000-square-foot space at 411 Conkey in Hammond.

It may be a temporary move as the owners are looking at buying a 10,000-square-foot building in Lynwood just south of the current location.

Open

A building that’s proven to be a revolving door for restaurants in recent years may finally have gotten some stability by way of a firmly established and beloved local chain.

The Mexican restaurant El Salto replaced Coyote Cantina at 1090 U.S. 41, Schererville. The location near a strip mall anchored by Planet Fitness was formerly been home to a Bagger Dave’s burger restaurant and tavern.

Coyote Cantina had aspired to serve “contemporary Latin cuisine,” while El Salto is more of a traditional sit-down Mexican restaurant that serves many favorites with sides of rice, refried beans and guacamole salads. El Salto also has restaurants in Valparaiso, Chesterton, Munster, Portage and Hobart.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Captain’s House expanding, El Salto Express reopened, Palmetto Grove opening for dinner

Consider the lobster.

Consider the lobster roll, an increasingly popular sandwich of New England origin that democratizes the succulent crustacean that’s often associated with fine dining.

Now consider Captain House’s creative spin on the lobster roll: international versions that include Greek, Swedish, German, Mexican, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Japanese, Irish and Russian.

Acclaimed chef Angela McCrovitz has been wowing diners for years with her lobster rolls, shrimp and grits, Po’boys and other seafood fare at Captain’s House, 6004 Miller Ave. in Gary’s Miller Beach neighborhood. But now the nautically themed restaurant might hit it big, expanding across the Midwest and perhaps eventually the country.

McCrovitz signed a franchising deal with Francorp, an Olympia Fields-based company that helped Jimmy John’s spread around the country. She’s initially looking for franchisees in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, and there’s already interest in opening outposts of the Captain’s House in Cedar Lake and Whiting.

Franchisees will have the option of franchising a Captain’s House breakfast restaurant, a lunch restaurant, the lobster rolls, a food truck concept or all of the above. Her eatery has a “contemporary southern seafood” concept and features items like crab-stuffed chicken, Chesapeake crab cakes and Lobster pot pie.

Captain’s House initially will target markets like Naperville, Evanston and Indianapolis, as well as lakeside locations and college towns.

“We’re going to start regionally, but they think this could go big, fast,” McCrovitz said. “The flagship would be right here in Gary. I was born and raised in Gary, and came back, and it’s cool to think this could be my legacy.” 

For information or to inquire about a franchise, call 219-239-2639 or visit www.captainshouserestaurant.com.

Opening

The 1920s-themed Palmetto Grove in Gary’s lakefront Miller neighborhood has been hosting wedding receptions, banquets and other special events for months, but it now is opening its doors to the general public.

The Great Gatsby-inspired banquet hall at 6132 Miller Ave. will host its first speakeasy event from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 20. Reservations are required and guests are encouraged to dress up in “Roaring ’20s” style.

Chef Angela McCrovitz hopes to open the 75-seat dining lounge and speakeasy-themed bar for dinner on Saturdays after the inaugural event.

“Normally I do black-tie events where it might be $35 a plate,” she said. “In this case, guests can order off a full menu, whether they just want a cocktail, an appetizer, salad, dessert or a full meal.”

For more information or to make reservations, call 219-239-2639.

Reopened

The El Salto Mexican Grill Express in Schererville reopened Thursday, about a week after a roof fire.

“It’s back to exactly how it was before,” owner Robert Mendoza said.

The quick-serve eatery at 820 U.S. 30, near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard, is modeled after Chipotle, allowing customers to choose exactly which fresh ingredients they would like in their burrito or tacos. Unlike the other sit-down El Salto restaurants, it caters mainly to the lunch crowd and those looking to pick up a quick dinner on the way home from work. 

Transitioning

Tequila Restaurante was long a staple of dining and drinking on the Crown Point Courthouse Square before it closed last year and was replaced by Provecho Latin Provisions, an upscale tapas restaurant.

The Mexican restaurant reestablished itself this summer as The New Tequila Restaurante at Pheasant Valley Golf Course. Located at 3838 W. 141st Ave. in Crown Point, the restaurant brought back its celebrated margaritas and $2 tacos on Tuesdays. But the restaurant is no longer taking walk-in diners as its transitions to a new, unspecified business model.

For the time being, Tequila Restaurante only will accommodate large groups of 30 or more, with 48-hour advance notice. For more information, call 219-663-5000 or find the business on Facebook.

Open

Kids or those with a sweet tooth have a new reason to visit Chicago’s Navy Pier.

It’s Sugar, which claims to be the largest specialty candy retailer in the world, plans to open a 2,000-square-foot candy store at 600 E. Grand Ave. on Navy Pier. It will sell hundreds of confections, including all-marshmallow cereal, all pink Starbursts, and a “Taste of Chicago Box,” featuring candies that originated in Chicago, including Tootsie Rolls, Juicy Fruit, Charleston Chew and Baby Ruth.

“We are thrilled to finally bring our brand to Navy Pier, a centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures, which is synonymous with old-world Chicago,” CEO and founder Jeff Rubin said. “We look forward to sharing the It’s Sugar experience with the community. This one-of-a-kind store is a truly unique destination filled with candy, gag gifts and fun novelty items for people of all ages.”

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Street Shack open in Hammond, Relish relocated in Griffith, El Salto settling into Coyote Cantina spot

Street Shack serves up street food favorites like burgers, hot dogs, gyros, Italian Beef and shrimp po’boys in south Hammond.

The new fast-food restaurant at 7343 Indianapolis Blvd. in the Woodmar neighborhood features slick design, a professional logo and an interior mural. The owner says it might be the flagship of a chain.

“This is our test site for this concept,” Jimmy Kollintzas said. “We’re definitely interested in taking this concept to other locations. We took a lot of time with the logo, graphics and design. You need good food, good service and good marketing.”

Kollintzas formerly ran Jimmy K’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs across the street from House of Pizza.

“We switched up the name because too many places are Jimmy’s or Johnny’s,” Kollintzas said. “The concept is quick service with dine-in, drive-through and delivery. We’ve got natural and hormone-free burgers, antibiotic-free hot dogs. Fast food will never be healthy, but we’re putting a modern spin on it.”

Street Shack, whose slogan is “Great American Street Food,” also plans to offer ice cream and milkshakes at the new location.

“There’s heavy traffic on Indianapolis, and Purdue Northwest is right there,” Kollintzas said. “The new sports complex is right up the street, and Hammond is doing great things. There’s some transient business from the Borman and a lot from the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Street Shack is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219-802-8888 or visit eatstreetshack.com.

Relocated

Relish, the hot dog joint that brought classics like the Chicago dog and new-fangled fare like a barbecue bacon jam dog to downtown Griffith, has moved inside Lady’s Gourmet Popcorn at 118 N. Broad St.

Lady’s Gourmet Popcorn owner Patti Haugh opened the hot dog restaurant with her daughter, Carly Haugh.

“We’ve still got our same great menu and homemade soups,” Carly Haugh said. “We’ve still got the vegan dog. It’s an amazing one-stop shop for popcorn and hot dogs, with parking on Broad Street and in the back, which is a nice perk.”

Both businesses keep roughly the same hours, though the kitchen closes about 15 minutes before closing time.

Relish is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 219-743-7858.

Closed 

Angel Hair Cafe at 142 S. Broad St., just off the Erie Lackawanna Trail, has pedaled off into the sunset. 

The sophisticated cafe, which shared a space with the popular Angel Hair Salon, is no more, but is expected to reopen with a new Mexican concept, possibly within a month.

Angel Hair Care was a sophisticated and eclectic cafe with fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, craft beer, vegan dishes and artisan sandwiches such as The White Walker. It kept sporadic hours and catered to cyclists on the trail.

Closed

C & R Stationery Store has closed after more than a half-century in downtown Griffith.

Founded in 1962, the store at 130 N. Broad St. sold stationery and supplies and did office machine repairs. It recently liquidated all of its inventory in an online auction.

The storefront is for sale by the owner, who can be reached at 574-870-1517.

Open

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Juice bar opens in Highland, Buona Beef coming to C.P., The Annex boutique closes

The Green Witch Juice Bar and Cafe is bringing healthy, nutritious fare to downtown Highland with an array of juices, smoothies and trendy foods like avocado toast.

The 1,400-square-foot juicery at 2845 Highway Ave. in downtown Highland plans to celebrate its grand opening from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 with raffles, live music and activities for kids.

Owners Verginiya Burgess and Tina Bilow sell juices like the top-selling “green detox” with cucumber, apple, spinach and lime, and smoothies including one with strawberry, spinach and yogurt. They have a juice menu but encourage customization.

“There’s no limit,” Burgess said. “You can combine as many vegetables and fruits as you like.”

The food menu is designed to appeal to vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike. It includes a Caprese flatbread, tofu sandwiches, Greek and beet salads and “detox soup.”

“We have a senior menu and want to show people that they can eat healthily and organically without it being expensive,” Burgess said. “The main point is we want to promote natural, organic and healthy eating, and get people to incorporate it into their daily routine.”

The juice bar currently has about 18 to 20 seats for dining in.

“We’re working on a comfortable lounge where there can be different meetings, such as ladies’ night out,” Burgess said. “We plan to educate on healthy eating and can have detox seminars and classes there. We want events that will bring people together.”

There’s a retail section where The Green Witch sells oils, teas, cosmetics and “everything you need for a natural lifestyle.”

The business is named after a “naturalist, herbalist and wise woman.”

“She’s not considered a witch,” Burgess said. “It doesn’t have to do with witchcraft, and it’s not a Halloween store.”

The Green Witch is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, find The Green Witch on Facebook or Instagram.

Open

Red Wing Shoes, the Minnesota-based footwear company that made boots for U.S. soldiers in World War I and World War II, has opened at 7909 Indianapolis Blvd. in south Hammond, across from Cabela’s and Walmart.

The 1,600-square-foot store in a new strip mall employs four workers and sells Red Wing and Irish Setter boots that are manufactured in America. The shop also sells socks, gloves, belts, footbeds and other accessories.

“National brands are coming to Hammond,” Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said. “The city continues to grow.”

Red Wing Shoes is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-803-2803. 

A Great Clips and an AT&T store also have opened next to Red Wing Shoes in the new strip mall.

“It’s good to see businesses coming to and investing in Hammond,” McDermott said.

The AT&T cellphone and accessories store at 7917 Indianapolis Blvd. can be reached at 219-844-1848 and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The hair care salon at 7911 Indianapolis Blvd. can be reached at 219-554-6672 and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Great Clips, which also has nearby locations in Munster and Schererville, takes walk-ins.

Closing 

The Annex boutique closes Saturday in downtown Highland, but will transition into an online business.

The store at 8638 Fourth St., which had been on Kennedy Avenue just south of downtown before relocating, sold fashion and locally made goods that included zines, bath balls and wallets. 

“After tons of thinking and praying I’ve decided to close the shop,” owner Sarah Spezza wrote on Facebook. “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve received since opening the door two years ago. Just because the brick and mortar is gone doesn’t mean The Annex is. I plan on bringing a bigger online presence, including regular Facebook Live events, and you’ll definitely see me at the markets.”

Coming soon

Buona Beef plans to open its second Northwest Indiana location in Crown Point, said Aaron McDermott, president of Latitude Commercial, a major commercial real estate agency based in Schererville.

The Italian beef chain entered the Northwest Indiana market earlier this year by opening at 324 U.S. 41 in Schererville, its first restaurant outside of Illinois.

The fast-casual restaurant started in Berwyn 37 years ago and has since expanded throughout the Chicago area, including at Guaranteed Rate Field and Wrigley Field. It specializes in traditional Chicago fare such as Chicago dogs, Italian sausage, and pepper and egg sandwiches served on Fridays during Lent.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Wise Guys Discount Liquors opens in Chesterton, Arbor View Animal Hospital expands

Wise Guys Discount Liquors has opened a new store at 1601 S. Calumet Road in Chesterton.

The local chain, a spinoff of the WiseWay grocery stores, is known for wide and well-curated selections similar to Binny’s in Chicago. It’s also known for its frequent Wise Guy University classes educating consumers on wines, cocktails and other booze-related subjects. Wise Guys also has big-box stores in Hobart and Merrillville.

The company announced on Facebook that the Chesterton store, by Round the Clock restaurant near the intersection of Ind. 49 and County Road 1100, has “the same great selection and customer service you’ve come to expect from Wise Guys.” There’s an extensive array of craft beer and a “one-of-a-kind fine wine corner.”

The liquor store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 219-728-1781.

Opening

Purdue University Northwest plans to open its new Indianapolis Boulevard Counseling Center in Hammond after a ribbon cutting with dignitaries at 1 p.m. Oct. 25.

The new off-campus facility is located at 7030 Indianapolis Blvd. in a building that previously housed a grocery and furniture store. It’s now home to Purdue Northwest’s Community Counseling Center and Marriage and Family Therapy Center. 

Those offices were formerly located on 169th Street but closed so neighboring Korellis Roofing could expand its headquarters.

Open 

La Cabana has moved into the old Indy Cafe space across from the South Shore Line station in East Chicago.

The restaurant at 5654 Indianapolis Blvd. serves up an array of traditional Mexican foods such as molettes, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and tacos that are served with rice and beans. Menudo soup is available on weekends, if you’re wondering how authentic it is.

For commuters into Chicago, there’s an extensive array of breakfast options like huevos ranchero, huevos a la Mexicana, huevos con chorizo, and huevos con jamon.

La Cabana is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-354-0075 or find La Cabana on Facebook.

Open

Aldi recently reopened its stores at 795 Deer Creek Drive in Schererville and at 5102 Franklin St. in Michigan City after extensive renovations.

The Germany-based discount supermarket chain, one of the largest grocers operating in the Region, has been pumping more than $180 million into more than 130 stores across Chicagoland, including Northwest Indiana. It’s investing more than $1.9 billion in its U.S. stores by 2020.

Expanding

Arbor View Animal Hospital, the only animal hospital in Northwest Indiana specializing in the care and treatment of exotic animals, has moved to a larger location at 244 West U.S. 6 in Valparaiso.

“Arbor View is the same hospital, but in a new building,” Arbor View Animal Hospital Office Manager Boddie Smith said. “We are so excited to share our brand new facility with our clients and the community. With our larger, updated hospital we are proud to be able to care for more pets than ever before, while maintaining the same high quality of care we have been giving for decades.”

In addition to exotic animals, the hospital treats, boards and grooms family pets.

For more information, call 219-762-7267.

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Ex-Colts player wants to open Stacked Pickle in Schererville, Quaker Steak and Lube returns, Gayety’s closed?

Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett, who helped defeat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, is looking to bring his Stacked Pickle restaurant chain to the Region.

The sports-themed restaurant that serves traditional American fare like burgers, wings, flatbread pizza and its namesake fried pickles has nine restaurants in the Indianapolis area and West Lafayette, and recently lined up franchisees in Houston, Orlando and Dayton, Ohio.

As part of an expansion across Indiana, Brackett is looking to open Stacked Pickles in Schererville, Merrillville and potentially other Region locations that could include Gary and Crown Point.

“The demographics there are very good,” Brackett said. “I think the concept would be a great fit.”

After retiring from nine seasons in the National Football League in 2011, Brackett started the Indianapolis-based Stacked Pickle casual dining restaurant and bar chain, which aims to have “a family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere” and compete with the likes of Buffalo Wild Wings and Buffalo Wings and Rings, which also has been soliciting franchisees in the Region. Popular dishes include a burger/wings combo and a pork tenderloin sandwich.

Stacked Pickle hopes to grow through franchising because franchisees tend to “have a better understanding of the neighborhood” and “a better commitment to the community,” Brackett said. Potential franchisees would have to invest $450,000 to $900,000 to open a Stacked Pickle location.

The restaurants are typically around 4,000 to 5,000 square feet, seating 150 diners and employing about 35 to 50 people. They could be located in a new building, an existing one or a strip mall.

“We’re the top sports bar here in Central Indiana,” Brackett said. “It’s going national. We’ve spent a lot of time on it. We’ve opened nine restaurants in eight years, and have it down so well that it’s turnkey.”

For more information, visit stackedpickle.com.

Open

The Quaker Steak and Lube in Portage closed in May a few months after another chicken wing-focused restaurant, Hooters, opened next door in the AmeriPlex at the Port business park.

The past franchisee “decided to do something else for a living,” said Bruce Lane, vice president of operations for franchise services for Quaker Steak and Lube. But the corporate head office in Pennsylvania, which runs 50 of the gas station- and muscle car-themed casual dining restaurants nationally, decided the Portage location was too prime to just let close for good.

The company has since remodeled the 5,500-square-foot restaurant at 6245 Ameriplex Drive, and plans to reopen it Monday. It will feature a new interior and new food items.

“It will debut a new menu that’s coming out nationally,” Lane said. “It has new steaks, new burgers and new sauces for our wings. It’s highly elevated, more than the burgers and wings we’re known for and that are award-winning.”

When the restaurant first opened in the 1970s, it was a cook-your-own-steak place. It’s now owned by Travel Centers of America and is known for chicken wings coated with often extreme hot sauces like Triple Atomic, Super-Charged and Dusted Ghost Pepper. The Portage location opened about seven years ago just north of Interstate 94.

“It was a very popular area, a very successful area,” Lane said. “The people in the area are familiar with the brand.”

Quaker Steak and Lube did extensive renovations before reopening the restaurant as a corporate-run location.

“We have done almost a full scrape and rebuild, including the back of the house,” Lane said. “We have all new ceilings, a couple new walls, updated floors, new paint, new chairs, and a much more vibrant and modern building.”

Quaker Steak and Lube hired 150 workers, including several past employees. The restaurant plans to have car shows, concerts and events “outside its four walls” throughout the year.

Lane said it would also try to be more neighborly than the previous franchisee, who was notorious for having a parking lot attendant shoosh away cars trying to park in the restaurant’s lot to visit the nearby Starbucks, even at odd hours when the huge Quaker Steak and Lube lot was nearly empty.

“There’s plenty of parking for everyone,” Lane said.

The new management isn’t intimidated by the new Hooters eatery 300 yards away.

“Competition breeds excellence,” Lane said. “Quaker Steak and Lube and Hooters both have their customers, and this is adding another dining option for the clientele. It’s a longstanding restaurant that’s been here for a while. We’re thrilled to be back, and invite people to check out our new building and new menu.”

The restaurant will open at 4 p.m. Monday.

Quaker Steak and Lube will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219-706-6200, visit www.thelube.com/locations/indiana/portage or find the business on Facebook.

Closed?

Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream abruptly closed both its Lansing and Schererville locations “for remodeling.”

A voicemail recording at the Lansing ice cream parlor and chocolate shop on Ridge Road in downtown Lansing said it was closed for remodeling. The owners did not respond to messages and the website was down, which is often not a good sign.

The beloved local chain has a long history dating back to 1920 when the chocolate shop opened in Chicago. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2014 but remained open after restructuring its debt.

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Overstuffed opens in Highland, Meijer adds sushi bar, Volstead closing

Tim Champagne, who’s handled concessions for the Gary South Shore RailCats, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rockies, Oakland A’s and San Jose Sharks, won’t let diners leave hungry at his new Overstuffed Skillets and Sandwiches restaurant.

It’s got some extreme menu items — think a chicken finger sub sandwich topped with mozzarella sticks, cheese curds and more.

The breakfast and lunch joint is in the old Zorba’s space at 3309 45th St. in Highland, on the Griffith border.

“We gutted it and put in new carpet, tile, floors and booths,” Champagne said. “We redid every booth, every chair in the place. We got granite and stainless steel in the kitchen. Everything back there is new.” 

The 140-seat restaurant serves pancakes, French toast, skillets, omelets, a breakfast burrito with green chilies, burgers, sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks.

“It’s all the food I love to eat,” Champagne said. “Overstuffed has large portions and large, overstuffed sandwiches and skillets. Anyone looking to cut calories probably shouldn’t come here.” 

A specialty is “The Overstuffed Bomb” sandwiches that are stacked almost alarmingly high. The Chili Bomb tops a hamburger with “chili, shredded cheddar cheese, grilled all-beef hot dog, more chili, more cheese, tater tots, even more chili and even more cheese on a sub roll.” The Italian Bomb tops chicken fingers with mozzarella sticks, pizza bites, cheese curds, mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. The Buffalo Bomb starts with a Buffalo Chicken Philly sandwich that’s buried under Buffalo chicken tenders, jalapeño poppers, buffalo fries, crumbled blue cheese and ranch dressing.

Overstuffed has several varieties of Philly cheesesteaks, a “fork and knife” chili cheese dog, a triple grilled cheese sandwich, a Reuben and a fried baloney deluxe sandwich with a thick steak-like slice of baloney that’s grilled, topped with bacon, American cheese, mayo and an over-easy egg, and served in Texas toast. 

Breakfast and lunch items will be available all day at the diner, which employs 15 people. Champagne surveyed other local restaurants to ensure competitive prices, like $8.75 for skillets.

“We’ve got some pretty big portions,” he said. “We’re right in the middle of Griffith and Highland, and those communities have really been my focus. This place has been empty for a long time and we put a lot of money into it. We hope to bring back this strip mall.”

Champagne hopes to draw breakfast regulars as well as local high school students, who he hopes will drop by for milkshakes after school.

“We really tried to make our menu stand out,” he said. “The food and service will be top notch. Everything is homemade and we try to use as much local stuff as possible to keep it in the community.”

Overstuffed is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-595-0290, visit overstuffedskillets.com or find the business in Facebook.

Reopened

Meijer completed renovations to its big box store at 10138 Indianapolis Blvd. in Highland, and celebrated with a grand re-opening Sunday.

The Grand Rapids-based retailer added a drive-through for the pharmacy and a consultation room where people can meet with their pharmacist and get a wellness checkup or a flu shot.

The store added a sushi bar in the deli section where customers can get pre-made sushi trays, order sushi rolls by request from on-hand sushi chefs, or buy rolls for $4.99 on “Sushi Wednesdays.”

Meijer added a new pet department with premium pet food like Blue Buffalo, more than 200 pet treats and “a wide range of toys.” It expanded the Baby Department and the Apparel Department, adding a Skechers shop with more than 130 shoes and a Carter’s Shop for kids and babies.

Closed

Volstead, a highly regarded “unconventional” fine dining restaurant in Chesterton, closed Saturday.

The restaurant, known for its progressive American food, opened about a year and a half ago in a house at 225 S. Calumet Road. The Duneland eatery was known for craft cocktails, curated craft beers, an extensive wine list and wine pairing dinners. It drew its name from the Volstead Act that enforced Prohibition in the United States. 

Volstead featured a creative menu that catered to the foodie set. Entrees included a bahn mi burger, milk-braised pork with crispy kale and pickled garlic and schnitzel with pickled raisins, gremolata, caramelized cauliflower and mushroom conserva.

Volstead was well reviewed, earning 4.7 out of a possible 5 stars from reviewers on Facebook. One reviewer from Chicago even claimed it had “the best burger in Chicagoland” and “gave Au Cheval a run for best burger.”

Spokeswoman Monica Jimenez Susoreny said Volstead was closing because chef and co-owner Dino Cocco was moving out of state. There are already plans afoot to open a new restaurant in the space next spring.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Sav-A-Lot supermarket coming to South Haven, Bin 27 closes in Dyer, fitness studio and Freshii opening in Crown Point

The unincorporated community of South Haven in Porter County has been without a grocery store since Al’s Supermarket closed in spring of 2017, but that will soon change.

Save-A-Lot will take over about 18,500 square feet of the former Al’s space at 390 U.S. 6. 

“We are really excited for Save-A-Lot to join the center. There has been a great need for a grocer in the area since the last tenant left and I fully expect the community to completely embrace them,” said Brett McDermott of Latitude Commercial, a commercial real estate firm in Schererville that represents tenants, landlords and developers across Northwest Indiana and the south suburbs.

Save-A-Lot is a national discount grocery chain with local locations in Merrillville, Hammond, Michigan City, and Kouts. The local franchisee will run the new South Haven store, which will offer fresh produce and meats sliced daily.

Opening 

An F45 Training fitness studio and a Freshii fast-casual restaurant are coming to Broadway in Crown Point.

Freshii is a Canadian fast-casual chain most commonly located in urban centers. It sells fresh, healthy food like burritos, salads, wraps, and yogurt. The lunch-oriented restaurant has multiple locations in Chicago’s Loop.

F45 Training is a national gym chain with 1,300 locations in 36 countries. It offers 27 different 45-minute high-intensity interval training workout classes. Its workouts cycle through 4,000 different exercises so gym-goers don’t ever do the same workout twice, and their fitness doesn’t hit a plateau.

“This is a great first location in the area for F45,” said McDermott, who represented F45 in the lease transaction. “I really think the community will embrace the concept as we have nothing like it around us.” 

Closed

Bin 27 Grille & Lounge, a fine dining restaurant that specialized in steaks and seafood, has served its last glass of wine. The restaurant at 275 Joliet St., Dyer, was named after its carefully curated selection of 27 wines.

Coming soon

Comcast plans to open a new Xfinity Store at 1918 165th St. in Hammond early next year.

“The stores are awesome places to visit and learn more about Xfinity products and services from the trained store staff,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s greater Chicago region senior vice president. “Visitors are welcome to come in and experience our products and services like they would at home.”

The store will sell Comcast services such as cable, internet, home security and mobile phone service. Visitors can use display iPads and other mobile devices to check out apps like the Xfinity Stream that lets people watch live TV on mobile devices when connected to wifi.

The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Open

One of Comcast’s biggest competitors, AT&T, just opened a new store at 7917 Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond.

“It’s great to have this new space in Hammond where you can walk right in and quickly learn about AT&T’s many tools and services that benefit our residents, businesses and tourists,” Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said. “Improving the livability of our community is very important to us, and we’re excited that AT&T shares in our enthusiasm about the city.” 

The 3,500-square-foot store features many different screens displaying AT&T’s video, internet and wireless services. Customers can check out tablets, smartwatches and VR glasses.

“We’re delighted to be opening this new entertainment-focused retail store in Hammond,” said Thomas Monahan, AT&T vice president and general manager of the Great Lakes region. “The Hammond store is designed for an evolution in connected entertainment, and customers will be able to interact with content across many different screens.”

The AT&T store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Country Pancake House opens in Merrillville, Vegas Cafe to reopen in Schererville, Carlo’s Pizza/Big Butt BBQ shutters in Cedar Lake

Petros House of Pancakes and Restaurant served its final omelet in Merrillville this summer, but a new diner stepped in to fill the space in the Crossroads Plaza Shopping Center.

Country Pancake House is now slinging eggs, biscuits and gravy and coffee at 6190 Broadway in Merrillville. The 160-seat breakfast-and-lunch pancake house, which employs 11 workers, opened two weeks ago.

Owner Jose Perez has worked in restaurants for years after starting as a dishwasher, and always dreamed of opening his own place. Now his dream has become a reality.

“He worked really hard all his life from the ground up,” employee Kathy Taylor said. “After learning how to bus tables 30-some years ago, he worked really hard. He opened this restaurant through blood, sweat and tears.”

Perez took over Petros in August and has since been renovating the building.

“We worked to make it nicer inside with a pleasant, clean atmosphere,” Taylor said. “We try to give great service to the customers, who were glad to see the place come back. It is an entirely new entity with entirely new owners.”

Country Pancake House has kept many favorites on the menu for the regulars who continue to frequent it. It serves omelets, burgers, skillets, biscuits and gravy, grits, homemade rolls, chili, burgers, soups like stuffed pepper and chicken lemon rice and, of course, pancakes, offering “big, generous portions.”

A top seller has been the meat lover’s omelet with sausage, ham, bacon, green pepper, onion and cheese.

“He loves to make breakfast,” Taylor said of Perez. “We pride ourselves on customer service, good meals at an affordable price and being part of the neighborhood.”

Country Pancake House is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 219-888-9858 or find Country Pancake House on Facebook.

Coming soon

Also in pancake news, Buttermilk Pancake House is moving into the former El Salto space in the historic Old Town Hall at Ridge Road and Calumet Avenue in Munster. The new restaurant at 805 Ridge Road is now hiring and invites walk-in job applicants.

Closed

Sir Mix-a-Lot, who could not lie, likely would have liked Carlo’s Pizza/Big Butt BBQ in Cedar Lake, but not enough people in town did to keep it open.

The pizza and barbecue restaurant at 13231 Wicker Ave., whose logo featured a cartoonish pig with an ample posterior, closed without warning. Its phone number was disconnected, its website was down, and the owners could not be reached for comment.

Opened in 2013, Carlo’s Pizza/Big Butt BBQ was a family restaurant and sports bar that served barbecue styles from across the country, with a focus on South Side Chicago BBQ. It had an outdoor patio with cornhole games, and was known for its brisket and generous portions of ribs.

Reopening

Vegas Cafe ran out of luck and closed in Schererville, but a new owner likes the odds of its succeeding.

The restaurant at 800 Cedar Parkway, a rare independent in a stretch of Indianapolis Boulevard that’s heavily dominated by chains, opened in 2016. Vegas Cafe specialized in oven-baked, often open-faced sandwiches with Vegas-inspired names like the MGM Grand, Mirage, Venetian, Monte Carlo, Belagio, Excalibur and Flamingo. 

Splashy Sin City decor lined the walls, and daily raffles and live musical acts gave diners in the Tri-Town a little taste of the Vegas experience.

The restaurant shuttered without explanation, but signs in the windows Thursday said it would reopen soon under new management.

Coming soon

Also in Vegas-themed restaurant news, the Vegas Baby Cafe is looking to open in the former Zuchez Restaurant and Bar at 211 N. Broad St. in Griffith.

Zuchez opened just north of downtown Griffith in 2017, aiming to be a nightclub with dancing, 64-ounce margaritas, a downtown date night-like restaurant and a breakfast joint serving biscuits and gravy. It lasted less than a year.

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Porto’s Peri Peri to open in Schererville; Venice Pizza, Which Wich and Griffith Meat Market close

Porto’s Peri Peri is bringing its spicy flame-grilled Portuguese chicken to Schererville.

The Villa Park Illinois-based restaurant is opening in a strip mall outside the Shops on Main shopping center at Main Street and Indianapolis Boulevard, just south of the Highland border.

According to the Regency Centers website, it will occupy 2,338 square feet and replace Meatheads, which closed in January after a four-year run.

Porto’s Peri Peri is named after the super-hot chili pepper used in cuisines in Portugal, India and Africa. In Swahili, peri peri means “pepper pepper,” or “strong pepper.” 

The cuisine has been gaining popularity in the Chicago area, with Nando’s Peri Peri opening several locations in the city.

Porto’s Peri Peri serves up chili-marinated chicken in portions that range from one-fourth chicken to a whole chicken, as well as platters. Beyond its signature entree, the restaurant serves couscous salad, quinoa salad, falafel, hummus, burgers and vegetarian options like paneer rice, along with sides like rice, steamed vegetable and flame-grilled corn on the cob.

“Our all-natural, vegetarian-fed chicken is fresh, never frozen and marinated for a minimum of 24 hours,” Porto’s Peri Peri said on its website. “Our unique Peri Peri sauces are made from African birds eye chilis mixed with fresh herbs and spices. Being nut, gluten and MSG free, our sauces are suitable for all.”

Closed

The Venice Pizza restaurants at 1302 N. Main St. in Crown Point and 1233 Sheffield Ave. in Dyer have served their last slice of pie.

“It is with great sadness that Venice Pizza in Dyer is in fact closing its doors for good,” Venice Pizza posted on its Facebook page. “As much as we appreciate and love our valued customers due to unforeseen and unfortunate property issues, we can no longer serve the Dyer community at this time. We are extremely sorry this didn’t work out & for the abrupt closing. We thank all of our amazing customers! This isn’t a goodbye, this is a hope to see you again. In the meantime, our Hammond location is still there & we recommend them to all. Thank you.”

The pizzeria, known for its tavern-style square cut pizza and distinctive logo of a cartoonish mustachioed Italian chef, also delivered to parts of Munster, sold pizza by the slice and described itself as “a family tradition.”

Venice Pizza is a 30-year-old family-owned business that grew to three locations, but only the Hammond location at 6940 Kennedy Ave. remains.

That pizzeria delivers to Hammond, Highland, East Chicago and Munster. In addition to specialty pizzas like taco pizza, The Hawaiian and chicken and broccoli, the eatery also serves Italian beef, pasta, chicken wings, calzones, cheese fries and shrimp dinners.

Closed 

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: uBreakiFix opens in Crown Point, Tim’s Pizza closes, Family Dollar coming to Gary

The technology repair shop uBreakiFix has opened in Crown Point, where it will fix smartphones, tablets, computers, video game consoles and more.

The fast-growing company has 11 Indiana stores, including in Schererville, Michigan City and Portage. Franchisees Angelo and Alexandra Giannakopoulos established the new Crown Point location at 864 N. Superior Drive and hope to open more in the coming year.

“Crown Point has experienced incredible growth over the last few years, and we are excited to serve the community by providing a trusted place for tech repairs,” Angelo Giannakopoulos said. “We love being able to bring uBreakiFix to new communities because we truly believe in the mission of this company.”

The company now has more than 460 retail shops across North America and had made more than 4.5 million repairs on electronic devices, including of cracked screens and malfunctioning cameras. It offers same-day repair for products like the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixle.

For more information, call 219-299-7959 or visit ubreakifix.com/locations/crownpoint.

Closed

Tim’s Pizza has baked its last pie in Crown Point.

The pizzeria at 1191 E. Summit St. specialized in crispy thin-crust, offering a slice and pop for just $2.50 on weekdays. It was a small take-out and delivery place that also served big burgers and appetizers like mozzarella sticks.

“It’s the last day for Tim’s Pizza,” the owners posted on Facebook. “We will miss all of our customers; you were the best.”

Tim’s Pizza had been in business in Crown Point for nine years.

Opening

The North Carolina-based chain Family Dollar plans to open a new store at 1421 W. 25^th Ave. in Gary this week.

“Family Dollar is pleased to invite customers to experience our great value and broad assortment of merchandise in the Gary community,” spokeswoman Heather Briganti said.  “Our customers can rely on Family Dollar for everyday low prices on household products, food, beauty and essentials, seasonal merchandise, apparel and much more.”

A grand opening with giveaways, prizes, and a gift basket raffle will take place on Thursday. The first 50 customers in line on Saturday will receive a gift card.

The discount retailer has been in business for more than 55 years, and primarily serves urban and rural areas in 46 states.

Open

Bailey’s Mini Mart opened recently at 4802 Drummond St. in East Chicago.

“The city of East Chicago welcomes new small business in our community and wishes them much success,” the city said in a press release.

Bailey’s has a small kitchen and sells dollar tacos on Taco Tuesdays.

The convenience store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information call 219-354-8166

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Sophia’s House of Pancakes replacing S’ville Applebee’s, Birdie’s $3 car wash coming to CP, Domino’s and Big Lots open, Enzo’s closes

There’s no more “eating good in the neighborhood” in Schererville after Applebee’s closed near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Indianapolis Boulevard, disappointing fans of $1 drink specials, 2 for $20 date nights, steaks crisscrossed with huge grill marks, and whatever riblets are.

The Schererville Applebee’s has gone extinct but a new era of fluffy golden pancakes is upon us.

Sophia’s House of Pancakes, a popular pancake house on Indianapolis Boulevard, plans to take over the space and open another location there.

A sign posted at the recently shuttered Applebee’s Grill + Bar at 650 W. U.S. 30, in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Schererville, said Sophia’s is opening there soon. The family-style diner, which also has a location at Orland Park in Illinois, is known for its stacks of old-fashioned, powdered sugar-dusted pancakes and for its hearty breakfasts with huge portions, including five-egg omelets. One reviewer on Yelp called it “the Grand Kingdom of Breakfast” with “a menu the size of the Sunday paper” and skillets “the size of glacially carved freshwater basins.”

Opening

If $4 seems a little steep to you for a car wash, you’re in luck.

Birdie’s $3 Car Wash hopes to open as soon as December at 10567 Broadway in Crown Point.

Owner Mike Mahmoud has dreamed of opening a car wash since childhood.

“As a little kid I worked with my father at grocery stores in the city,” he said. “There was a hand car wash with a line around the block. I saw the potential of how much cash a car wash could make.”

Car washes start at $3 and go up, depending on the level of cleaning one wants. Similar $3 car washes have opened in recent years in Hammond and Dyer.

“It’s a price point that’s affordable to everybody,” Mahmoud said. “If you drive by a $5 car wash, you think, ‘maybe.’ But $3 is a price you don’t want to pass up.”

Birdie’s $3 Car Wash also will sell monthly memberships allowing people to get their car washed every day or as frequently as they want.

The Crown Point car wash is largely built-out and expects to open in a matter of weeks, in the busy season where many people try to get the road salt washed off their cars. It has a 140-foot tunnel and 20 vacuums. Mahmoud has talked with his banker about building 10 of them across Northwest Indiana and hopes to eventually take the brand national. The next one will be in St. John, and then he’ll look at Illinois locations.

“We’ll take baby steps,” he said. “Of course I’d like to go nationwide. But these are big projects. These aren’t $100,000, $200,000 projects. These are $4 million apiece.”

Birdie’s $3 Car Wash will employ about 15 workers in Crown Point.

“A lot of thought and hard work went into this establishment, and it’s run by the owner himself,” he said. “I built this car wash so my car could run through it. I’m a car guy who used to work in car sales. I wouldn’t run anyone’s car through it if I wouldn’t run my own car through it.”

Closed

Chicago Heights-based Enzo’s Beef and Sausage restaurant expanded to 1120 U.S. 30 in Schererville in 2015, but has decided to refocus its efforts on its Illinois location. 

“We decided that it was best for both the family and for the business to focus our time and energy on the original location,” the owners posted on Facebook.

As the name suggests, Enzo’s sells Italian beef and Italian sausage, as well as gyros, hot dogs and $1 slices of pizza. It used old family recipes and premium ingredients like top-quality pork butt and extra virgin olive oil. 

Another Chicago Heights business may soon replace it in Schererville. A sign outside said Dozeli Pizzeria is coming soon.

Dozeli has been around for nearly three decades with locations in Chicago Heights and South Chicago Heights. It’s known for both thin-crust and deep-dish pizza, wings and deluxe sandwiches.

Opening 

In other pizza news, and who doesn’t like pizza news, Domino’s is opening a new “pizza theater” restaurant where customers can watch the pizza being baked at 1918 165th St. in Hammond, its second in the city.

“We are dedicated to the Hammond area and are excited to better serve its residents,” said Hammond Domino’s franchise owner Jim Gronemann, who owns 15 other Domino’s stores in Indiana and Illinois. “We have a deeply experienced team of folks who live and work in Hammond, and they are eager to offer our delicious products, exceptional service and innovative ordering technology to the community.”

The Ann Arbor-based pizza company, the largest in the world based on retail sales, will celebrate its Dec. 3 opening by offering medium one-topping carryout pizzas for $3.99 each through Dec. 30, and by having a drawing on Dec. 24 for free pizza for a year.

The Hammond pizzeria also will offer 50 percent off to police officers, firefighters, first responders and members of the military on an ongoing basis.

The store is hiring and features a large lobby where customers can watch their food being prepared, an electronic screen for tracking carryout orders and a chalkboard “to allow customers to express their creativity or leave feedback for the store team members.”

For more information, visit www.dominos.com or call the pizzeria at 219-989-6550. 

Opening

Big Lots relocated its Merrillville store to 3201 E. Lincoln Highway in Hobart and reopened with a new format, “which is part of a broader initiative to reposition the brand as a community retailer offering trustworthy value and friendly service,” the Columbus, Ohio-based retailer said in a press release.

“We are excited to introduce our new store format to Merrillville,” stated Steve Haffer, senior vice president and chief customer officer of Big Lots. “It brings to life our new brand traits and showcases our product assortments of affordable solutions in furniture, seasonal, home, food, and consumables.”

The discount retailer, which “offers a little bit of everything,” moved about 100 feet over to a new unit in a strip mall that also includes Xfinity Store.

To celebrate the opening, Big Lots plans to donate $5 to Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana anytime a BIG loyalty member redeems a reward there through Jan. 12.

For more information, call the store at 219-649-7119. 

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Golden Corral and Vegas Cafe reopening soon in Schererville, Smallcakes has opened

The Golden Corral buffet will make its triumphant return to Schererville before year’s end, though likely after Christmas.

The owners of the Merrillville Golden Corral have made extensive renovations to the Golden Corral at 915 Eagle Ridge Dr., by the Home Depot, in Schererville. The buffet had served its last slice of ham and scoop of mashed potatoes three years ago. 

“We completely remodeled the place,” General Manager Ken Churchill said. “We put in a fireplace, recessed lighting and all new decor on the inside. Everything is bright and shiny. It’s like a brand new store opening.”

There’s no official opening date yet, but Golden Corral is working to hire 200 workers, including servers, cooks and cashiers.

“The menu will be pretty similar to the Merrillville location, with some small differences,” Churchill said.

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based chain has been frequently updating its menu recently, adding new items every three months like prime rib, fajitas and different kinds of wings.

“It keeps the customers coming in,” Churchill said.

Open

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery has opened at 336 Indianapolis Blvd., next to the new Rosati’s Pizza, Buona Beef and McAlister’s Deli in the Shoppes on the Boulevard.

Gloria Jean’s franchisee Raed Naser, his wife Noor Musleh, his brother and their family opened the chain, which has been featured on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” and “The View.” It features 18 different flavors of cupcakes daily, including 14 regular flavors and four that change daily.

“We have 365 different recipes that we cycle through,” Naser said.

Popular items at the 1,500-square-foot cupcakery and ice cream parlor, which seats 12, include red velvet cupcakes and smashes, in which a cupcake is paired with two scoops of ice cream in a mason jar.

“They’re delicious and perfect for Instagram and social media,” he said. “They look great, and people like to share it.”

The restaurant employs 12 workers and serves only cupcakes baked freshly that day. Leftovers are donated to charitable organizations and other places like local hospitals and nursing homes.

“You can ask to be on the list, and then we call through it until we find someone to take the leftovers,” Naser said. “We only serve fresh cupcakes.”

A grand opening celebration is planned for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Smallcakes will give away mini cupcakes while supplies last, offer 40 percent off on everything all day, have family-friendly activities like balloon animal-making, and will enter customers into a raffle.

For more information, visit www.smallcakesschererville.com or call 219-440-7155.

Opening

Vegas Cafe at 800 Cedar Parkway in Schererville was sold to new owners.

Jorge Armando and Shelly Ann Armando, the owners of Skillet’s Bistro in Highland, bought the restaurant and plan to reopen it as Vegas Bistro Cafe in the middle of January.

The reborn eatery will focus on quick breakfast items and sandwiches. Nothing on the menu will cost more than $7.60, as the restaurant will target passing truckers and workers at stores and restaurants along Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville and Highland.

“We want to give workers a good-priced breakfast or BLT or something like that,” Jorge Armando said. “It’s going to be good for workers who come in the early morning on their way to work. Drivers can call ahead to order their food in advance. We have a huge parking lot and will bring it out to them. It will be like 1960s service without the roller skating.”

Vegas Cafe Bistro will seat 46 people inside, and another 18 outside during warmer weather. It will serve beer, wine, wine-based cocktails and espresso drinks such as lattes and espressos.

The menu will include skillets, omelets, waffles and many items that can be prepared quickly.

“We have a good team and have been practicing getting breakfast sandwiches out in no more than five minutes,” he said. “We want to offer a quick breakfast.”

It will be cheap, with hot dogs for $2 and hot dogs with fries and a drink for $4.25. The lunch menu also will include burgers, soups and chili.

“Schererville was a point of interested because it’s been a draw for all the towns around it, including Chicago,” he said. “I’ve lived in Dyer for such a long time and see so many people, including from the city and Illinois, coming here to have a good meal, good shopping, or a buy a good house. Just look at the amount of cars going by.”

Vegas Cafe will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Chipotle, Taco Bell, Anytime Fitness opening; Starbucks and Don Pedro’s closing

Anyone who loves huge Mission-style burritos stuffed with their choice of fresh ingredients won’t have to wait much longer for Chipotle Mexican Grill to finally open in Crown Point.

The widely influential Newport Beach, California-based chain, a favorite among millennials and anyone who appreciates a high degree of customization, plans to open its first Crown Point location on Jan. 8 at 10715 Broadway.

Chipotle is known for its assembly line-like service in which burritos, tacos, bowls and salads are constructed with a selection of ingredients like barbacoa, carnitas and guacamole. It has been considered the gold standard of the fast-growing fast-casual segment with many restaurateurs scrambling to be the first to open “the Chipotle of pizza,” “the Chipotle of Greek food,” and so on. But Chipotle’s reputation was dinged after E. coli outbreaks and other food safety concerns in 2015.

Chipotle was originally supposed to open in Crown Point on Saturday but the opening was pushed back. A company spokesperson said no further delays are expected.

In a novelty for a Chipotle, at least in Northwest Indiana, the new Crown Point restaurant will feature a drive-up pickup lane for customers who place and pay for orders on the Chipotle app or at Chipotle.com.

The restaurant will be open from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Open

Also in Mexican-themed chain restaurant news, Taco Bell has opened at 917 Joliet St. in Dyer, near the Jewel-Osco supermarket at U.S. 30 and Calumet Avenue.

Especially popular among perpetually hungry teenagers and late-night bar-goers, the Tex-Mex-ish fast-food chain, known for a value menu where ingredients like Fritos chips are wrapped in a tortilla and sold for a buck or so, serves chalupas, XXL Grilled Stuft Burritos and whatever a “crunch wrap” is.

Taco Bell, owned by Louisville-based Yum Brands, describes the food as “Mexican inspired” on its website. It has 7,000 locations worldwide, including in Highland, Griffith, Crown Point, Winfield, Valparaiso, Hobart, St. John, Merrillville, Hammond, Portage, Munster, LaPorte, Chesterton and Michigan City.

The Dyer Taco Bell is open from 7 a.m. through 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. through 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Open

Work off all those burrito calories at the new Anytime Fitness gym in Chesterton. The gym chain that allows members to workout around the clock has opened its 17th Northwest Indiana location.

The 24-hour fitness franchise at 757 Indian Boundary Road offers free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment, group training, personal training, tanning and hydro-massage therapy.

“For many people, joining a gym can be an intimidating experience,” Anytime Fitness Regional Manager Kevin Scott said. “Our gym is big enough to feature everything you need for a great workout and small enough to provide personalized attention for all of our members. Whether weight loss is your goal, or increased strength or improved balanced and flexibility — or a combination of some of those things — at Anytime Fitness, we’re able to help you achieve whatever results you seek.”

On average, Anytime Fitness gyms are staffed for 12 hours a day but can be accessed by members at any time day or night — hence the name — with a key fob. Members also have access to any of Anytime Fitness’s more than 4,000 clubs worldwide.

“We make it easy for our members to exercise whenever and however they like,” Scott said. “We have personal trainers available to help you learn how to use all of the equipment and to develop an individualized workout plan, if you like. And, our Personal Training and Group Training programs are optimized to provide efficient workouts in 1-on-1 settings as well as small & large group settings. All training programs are designed to provide guidance, accountability and of course results.”

For more information, call 219.765.0382 or email [email protected].

Opening 

Granite & Quartz Tops is moving into the former Lynn’s Bedding at 1862 W. U.S. 30 in Merrillville.

Merrillville-based Commercial In-Sites brokered the sale of the property to the new owner, which is opening its first location in Indiana. The showroom will feature custom granite, marble and quartz countertops.

Commercial In-Sites said in a news release the new countertop showroom should open in early summer 2019.

Closed

Starbucks shuttered its coffee shop at 2531 Willowcreek Road in Portage, the oldest Starbucks in Porter County’s most populous city.

The Seattle-based purveyor of cold brew, Frappuccinos and other strong espresso drinks that power people through the day, still has two other Portage locations, at 6030 U.S. 6  and 6295 Ameriplex Drive.

Closed

Don Pedro’s, a Tex-Mex restaurant that offered steak, seafood and Mexican staples like enchiladas, quesadillas and Huevos Con Chorizo, has permanently closed its long-standing location at 7840 U.S. 41 in Schererville.

A favorite spot for Mexican cuisine among many in the Tri-Town, the restaurant had a bar that served drinks like Corona-ritas with an upturned Corona bottle jutting out of a margarita glass. It had some authentic menu items like menudo and pozole.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you after 16 amazing years in business we have come to the difficult decision to close our doors and focus on our next business venture,” the owners said in a note posted on the door. “It has been an incredible journey. Thanks to all our wonderful patrons and to the NW Indiana community. Please feel free to visit the original Don Pedro’s located in Calumet City, Illinois. Thank you.”

Business Ins and Outs

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Stacked Pickle coming to Lansing, Fifth Third Bank, Burrito Stop and Mas Tacos open, Merrillville Tea Room temporarily closed

Former Indianapolis Colts player Gary Brackett plans to open a Stacked Pickle restaurant in Lansing before the end of 2019.

The linebacker and Super Bowl champion has been looking to expand his sports-themed sit-down restaurant and bar chain in the Region. He’s also been looking for franchisees to open Stacked Pickle restaurants in places like Schererville, Merrillville, Crown Point and Gary.

The casual dining restaurant serves traditional American fare like burgers, wings and its namesake fried pickles in a “family-friendly atmosphere.”

Founded eight years ago, the fast-growing Stacked Pickle now has nine restaurants in Indiana, and has signed on franchisees in Houston, Orlando and Dayton, Ohio.

The restaurants, whose top-selling items include a burger and wings combo, typically seat about 150 diners and employ up to 50 people. 

Open

How does that song go?

Stop, in the name of burritos?

Stop, it’s burrito time?

At any rate, Burrito Stop Mex and American Grill recently opened at 1421 119th St. in downtown Whiting, adding to the lakefront city’s Mexican cuisine options.

The fast-food restaurant, which incorporates a big red stop sign into its logo, offers burritos and bowls with a choice of steak, chicken, barbacoa, carnitas, ground beef and veggies.

Burrito Stop also serves gorditas, tortas, XL quesadillas, tacos, salads and dinner platters with steak or chicken that are served with rice, beans and tortillas. 

Prices range from $2.25 for a taco to $14.99 for a flame-grilled skirt steak meal.

Burrito Stop is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It’s closed on Sundays.

For more information, call 219-370-5151.

Open

Also in taco news, Mas Tacos has opened a carryout restaurant at 8020 Kennedy Ave. in Highland.

The eatery, which has a small waiting area, serves tacos, tortas, sopas, gorditas, burritos, enchiladas, tamales, nachos, 99-cent chicken flautas and the Mas Special, which is rice topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and one’s choice of meat.

It’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

For more information, call 219-879-3326.

Open 

Fifth Third Bank recently opened a new branch on Franklin Street by Ames Field in Michigan City, Mayor Ron Meer said.

The branch, at 2604 Franklin St., has a drive-thru and an ATM.

Cincinnati-based Fifth Third, so named after the merger of Fifth National Bank and Third National Bank and not some random fraction, is a Fortune 500 company with more than 1,100 branches in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.

Locally, Fifth Third has locations in Gary, Merrillville, Schererville, Crown Point, Highland, Hammond and Valparaiso.

The Michigan City branch is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 219-879-3326.

Closed 

The Merrillville Tea Room, whose formal afternoon teas are a holiday tradition for many Region families, closed back in June, but that’s only temporary.

The tea room in the Merrillville Florist Shop at 7005 Madison St. was closed after its chef left for a new gig, but owner Ramona McCrovitz said she hopes to reopen after finding a new chef.

“We’re just busy right now with Christmas and will be busy through Valentine’s Day,” she said.

In addition to pots of tea, the tea room serves scones, salads and sandwiches in a peaceful and quiet setting. 

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Neopolitan and alla Romana pizza place coming to CP, Joe’s Cafe and Debbie’s Dresses closing, Harbor Freight Tool and Belle Tire coming

NWI Business Ins and Outs: CBD dispensary opens in Crown Point, poke coming to Merrillville, Dozeli Pizzeria opens in Schererville

Right after hemp was legalized with the signing of the U.S. farm bill earlier in December, Blackbird Hemp opened a CBD dispensary in Crown Point.

Owners Corey Lurtz and Dennis Hein opened the shop at 449 E. Summit St. in Crown Point. It sells CBD, or cannabidiol, products that are being hyped across the country as a treatment for inflammation, anxiety, depression and various other ailments. The business is cash-only, awaiting federal regulations that would allow banks and credit card companies to do business with hemp merchants.

Since CBD oil was decriminalized in Indiana in March, many retailers in the Region have started selling it, including pharmacies, fireworks stores and skateboard shops. Market researcher Brightfield Group estimates CBD may grow into a $22 billion industry nationwide by 2022.

Blackbird Hemp is focused entirely on selling CBD products. It carries more than 100 products including tinctures, capsules, gummies, bath bombs, salves, lotions, coconut oils and vaping cartridges. Users might apply a salve for a topical inflammation, take a pill for other issues, and use a vape cartridge for anxiety, because it is fast-acting, taking effect in about 15 minutes.

“We have just about everything,” Hein said. “We have dog treats and pet tinctures.”

The dispensary carries established brands such as Green Lotus Hemp, Lazarus Naturals Hemp and Sun State Hemp, and sources many of its products from small farms and co-ops in Colorado, Washington and Kentucky. Customers — who often skew older — use it to treat neuropathy, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, inflammation and anxiety, among other conditions. Some try to use it to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure or digestive health.

“We try to educate our customers on what to take and how to take it,” Hein said. “Education is a building block and the key. We point them to things they can go home and research on their own. For the longest time, hemp had basically been a boogeyman but it’s becoming more normalized as more research and studies are coming out about the health benefits.”

A post in Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Blog said CBD may be effective at managing anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, but that it could have side effects like nausea and fatigue. Some CBD promoters overstate its curative powers, according to the blog, and more research is needed to determine CBD’s effect. People should consult their doctors before using it, the Harvard blog concludes.

Blackbird Hemp hopes to organize an annual hemp festival with educational seminars at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, launch its own Blackbird-branded products and open more locations around the Region. Once it can accept debit and credit card payment, it hopes to establish a subscription service in which payments are automatically deducted and CBD is mailed out to customers.

“We’re looking to bootstrap this up,” Hein said. “Expansion will be doable, but we’ll do it step-by-step. We’re focused on good-quality products and getting it out to the public.”

The dispensary offers 15 percent discounts to seniors, first responders, members of the military and union members.

Blackbird Hemp is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 219-226-4154, visit facebook.com/blackbirdhemp, or find Blackbird Hemp on Instagram.

Coming soon

Poke places specializing in Hawaiian raw fish bowls have sprung up all over Chicago in recent years, serving sushi-like pieces of uncooked tuna and salmon tossed in soy sauce and sesame oil atop beds of rice, with avocado and other fresh ingredients.

A few places in Northwest Indiana have poke on the menu, such as Kitaro Surf & Turf in Munster, but the hot restaurant trend is finally coming to the Region.

A sign in the strip mall that’s home to Panera Bread and Qdoba Mexican Eats at the corner of U.S. 30 and Broadway in Merrillville announced that Pokéman Restaurant is coming soon.

The owners could not be reached for comment. Apparently unrelated poke restaurants with the Pokeman or Poke-man name have cropped up in cities like Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Vancouver and West Hartford, Connecticut, but it’s not clear if there’s any potential intellectual property dispute with the popular Pokémon video game and anime franchise that enjoyed a massive resurgence in popularity when Pokémon Go was released in 2016.

Open

South suburban Dozeli Pizzeria, which has locations in Chicago Heights and South Chicago Heights, has opened in the former Enzo’s space at 1120 W. U.S. 30 in Schererville.

The pizzeria offers both thin crust and deep dish pizza, as well as “deluxe” sandwiches like Italian beef and chicken Parmesan. The extensive menu includes wings, salads, appetizers, and both hot and cold sub sandwiches.

The small Chicagoland chain, which was founded in 2008, bakes pies including Italian beef pizza, a chicken Alfredo pizza, and a “Meaty Lover’s Pizza” topped with five different meats.

Unlike the other locations, the Schererville restaurant does not have a grill yet, so no hot dogs or hamburgers are available. With no dining room, it is carryout and delivery only, delivering within about a five-mile range.

Dozeli Pizzeria is currently open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-515-2876 or visit www.dozelipizzeria.com.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Chipotle opens in Crown Point, Dickey’s BBQ closes in Highland, Bee & Me Boutique moving

Chipotle Mexican Grill opens its first Crown Point location Tuesday to satisfy fans of fast, fresh carnitas, barbacoa and black beans.

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant, known for its huge burritos and bowls stuffed with highly customizable ingredients, is at 10715 Broadway in Crown Point. It will feature a drive-up digital pickup lane so customers can get orders they placed on Chipotle.com or the Chipotle app handed to them without even getting out of their car.

A favorite among millennials and anyone who likes cool, creamy guac, Chipotle also has Region locations in Highland, Munster, Merrillville, Portage and Valparaiso.

The new Crown Point Chipotle will be open from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Coming soon

A 2,100-square-foot Starbucks also is under construction on Broadway by Crown Point’s new Chipotle restaurant.

Crown Point Planning Administrator Anthony Schlueter said the chain coffee shop, which will be the second Starbucks in Crown Point when it opens, is a standalone building with a drive-thru. Seattle-based Starbucks closed its coffee shop at 10761 Broadway nearby a decade ago when it shuttered more than 600 stores nationwide. 

Closed

In a blow to local meat lovers and carnivores everywhere, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has closed its Highland location at 8359 Indianapolis Blvd. in the troubled Highland Ultra Plaza, which is being foreclosed upon after the anchor Ultra store closed as a result of the 2017 Central Grocers bankruptcy.

The phone is disconnected, and Highland has been removed from Dickey’s locations page on its website.

A spokeswoman did not return a request for more information.

The Dallas-based chain claims to offer “Legit. Texas. Barbecue.” Its menu features many slow-cooked meats like beef brisket, pulled pork and ribs, which customers could sample on two-meat or three-meat plates.

The fast-casual counter-service barbecue restaurant chain shuttered its location a few miles south at 713B Indianapolis Blvd. in Schererville in 2014. It’s down to just three locations in the entire state of Indiana, with the Portage restaurant at 6200 U.S. 6 being the only local Dickey’s left.

It’s the latest in a series of departures at the Highland Ultra Plaza, where Fallas, Dollar General, and Taco & Burritos Rancho Grande have also closed in the wake of the Ultra departure and foreclosure.

Relocating 

Bee & Me Boutique is on the move again after losing its lease to the former Renovar space at 100 S. Broad St., at the corner of Main and Broad streets in downtown Griffith.

But the five-year-old boutique, which sells Magnolia home decor and clothes, isn’t going far.

Bee & Me is moving right across the street to the former Griffith State Bank, which is being transformed into The Bank.quet Gatherings & Events to host weddings, company parties and other special events. The boutique had been squirreled away in an industrial park on the southeast side of town before moving to the heart of Griffith’s downtown earlier this year.

It’s home to a Cute as a Cupcake express shop and also sells school uniforms, spirit wear and flame-resistant work clothes for steelworkers.

It’s slated to close its current location on Jan. 12 and reopen across the street when the old bank renovation is complete.

For more information, call 219-781-6850, visit www.ourtextilehive.com or go to www.facebook.com/OurTextileHive/.

Under construction

A new strip mall is being built near the Strack & Van Til supermarket at 109th Avenue and Broadway in Crown Point.

Crown Point Planning Administrator Anthony Schlueter said the 5,400-square-foot strip mall would have three units. He’s heard it will be home to a coffee shop and a pizza place.

Coming soon

Beer and barbecue soon will be replaced with down-home Southern cooking at the old Lowell water plant at 241 N. Liberty St. in downtown Lowell.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: New Mexican restaurants open in Portage, immediate care clinic coming to Munster, Core Crown Point moves to old John Dillinger Museum space

A few new Mexican restaurants have cropped up along one of Portage’s busiest commercial strips.

The new JC Bocatas Mexican Street Food restaurant specializes in tacos, empanadas and cemita-style tortas that are served in a sesame seed-covered roll similar to a brioche bun.

The quick-serve restaurant at 6475 U.S. 6, across from the Portage 16 IMAX, also offers elote, cheesy roasted poblano soup, and battered yucca fries with mojo mayonesa. Tacos come topped with jalapeño lime slaw, a Mexican cheese blend and cilantro, with options including braised beef, achiote pork, chicken tinga, fish, vegetables and chorizo and potato.

“It’s the best Mexican street food,” co-owner Claudia Saenz said. “It’s all made fresh the same day. Nothing is frozen. It’s good, fast and fresh.”

Her husband Jose Saenz had worked in restaurants for 20 years and always dreamed of opening his own place.

“He always worked long hours and said he should be working for himself,” she said. “He had the opportunity to do it and just went for it. I have a job but help out as much as I can. He loves it.”

The small restaurant has a drive-through and focuses on take-out orders. Customers will soon be able to order through the website.

“We eventually probably want to open more restaurants,” Saenz said. “And we probably want to make this one bigger.”

JC Bocatas is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and may eventually open on Sundays. For more information, visit www.jcbocatas.com or call 219-841-9523.

Tocayos Express Mexican Food aspires to be the Chipotle of authentic Mexican food. The taqueria at 6652 U.S. 6 tries to get all its food out fast and lets customers choose their own meat options for tacos and burritos, including ground beef, shredded chicken and grilled veggies, or premium options like asada, shrimp, al pastor and barbacoa.

“We’re something similar to a Chipotle,” owner Sarah Garcia said. “You can view the guys cooking the food in the back, cooking it on the grill.”

The restaurant in the Diamond Plaza strip mall employs four and has a 3,000-square-foot dining room, plus a few seats for outdoor dining. It serves enchiladas, quesadillas, chips and salsa and dollar tacos on Tuesday.

“We try to get all the food out in less than five minutes,” Garcia said. “We have a really good product with really good flavor, a good marinade. It’s different than most Mexican food. It’s more authentic and fresh and you can watch it being made at that moment.”

Garcia eventually hopes to open more Tocayos express restaurants, including in Valparaiso and surrounding areas.

Tocayos Express Mexican Food is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 219-850-4458.

Open

Not every IPA in Northwest Indiana is hoppy.

Illiana Power Asylum outgrew its space in the World Gym in Highland and is now located off the Cline Avenue service road at 7940 1/2 Nevada Ave. in Hammond. The gym caters to powerlifting and strongman athletes.

“Both the owners compete in strength sports,” said Heather Dawn Gray, who handles marketing for the gym. “It serves a niche for strongmen and powerlifting. It’s like an old school mom-and-pop-type gym where the strongest fit in and do their work.”

Owners Evan Young and Andrew Jeleniewski filled the gym with free weights and specialized equipment like Atlas stones, prowler sleds, and giant tires that can be flipped in the parking lots. It offers discounts to active-duty military, police, and students with good grades.

The gym sells protein powders and other supplements, offers personal training, and sponsors a local powerlifting team that enters into competitions.

“It’s fun and everyone is super-friendly, helpful and respectful,” Gray said. “It’s not like a commercial gym, where you expect the staff to put your weights back for you. It’s one big family.”

Illiana Power Asylum is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-803-0894 or find Illinana Power Asylum on Facebook or Instagram.

Relocated

Core Crown Point has moved to a new studio in the space formerly occupied by the Dillinger Museum in the lower level of the old Lake County Courthouse in downtown Crown Point.

Owners Kelly Walden and David Walden opened the business a year ago in a 400-square-foot space on an upper level of the historic courthouse. They recently relocated to fill a 1,600-square-foot space right by the north entrance, nearly all of the space previously occupied by the John Dillinger Museum.

The gym offers small group classes in pilates, yoga, Bohdi suspension and indoor cycling. Walden said the goal is to offer the quality of group training one could get in Chicago at much more affordable prices.

“None of the classes have more than eight people,” Kelly Walden said. “It’s not just about how you feel after the workout, but also the connections you make in the class. The retention rate is so much higher when you make a friend in class.”

Core Crown Point expanded quickly after Pilates of Northwest Indiana, the only other pilates studio in Crown Point, closed last March. Most of the instructors moved over to Core Crown Point, and brought their clients with them.

The fitness studio was drawn to the courthouse because of the affordable rent, but isn’t as visible as when it had its own storefront.

“We’ve had to grow organically by word of mouth,” she said. “We have seven instructors and they’re all just fantastic.”

Despite being hidden away, Walden enjoys the location.

“I just love the courthouse environment,” she said. “It’s a historical building but a living, functioning part of history. Prisoners used to walk through here on the way up to trial on the third floor of the courtroom. There’s a lot of history.”

For more information, call 219-202-8622, visit www.corecrownpoint.com or find Core Crown Point on Facebook and Instagram.

Opening 

The long-awaited Community Immediate Care Munster at 1946 45th St. in Munster opens Jan. 28.

The immediate care clinic, in a newly constructed building by the Munster-Highland border, will offer walk-in healthcare services for minor illnesses and injuries and imaging services like MRIs. Doctors who practice Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics, and Gynecology will be available to meet with patients there.

“When illness strikes, access to quick care is important,” Community Hospital CEO Lou Molina said. “With the addition of this new immediate care center, residents will have access to the same high-quality services found across our entire healthcare system in a convenient location.”

Community Immediate Care Munster will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 219-703-2420 or visit comhs.org.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Bombers BBQ and Dante’s House of Pizza move in Munster, El Poblano opens in Merrillville, Nick’s Tavern and Pizza Hut come to Cedar Lake

Bombers BBQ, one of the Region’s most celebrated barbecue joints, has more than doubled its space in a new location at 435 Ridge Road in Munster.

The military aviation-themed barbecue restaurant, acclaimed for its brisket, rib tips and other smoked meats, has more than doubled its seating in the new space behind Mark O’s Bar & Grill in the former Harrison Ridge Plaza, now called the South Shore Plaza. Owners Chris Cole and Anthony Petrocelli had been looking for a larger space to keep up with demand, especially with catering orders.

Bombers had been in a strip mall on Ridge Road next to Johnny’s Wings and Burgers since it first opened in April 2013.

“We probably outgrew our last location two and a half years ago,” Cole said. “But opening a new facility is costly and we wanted to make sure we were doing it right.”

Bombers BBQ more than doubled its square footage from 2,200 square feet to 4,500 square feet, which has been filled with long picnic table benches, stools and double the kitchen space. The restaurant is tripling its smoker capacity.

“We weren’t able to take catering orders for weddings and other events on Saturdays,” Cole said. “We’ve had to turn down weddings throughout the summer because Saturday is our busiest day and it was impossible to have enough room in our smoker to do a wedding offsite and meet the needs of our customers in the restaurant. Now we’ll be able to cater for up to 500 people and deliver it. We’re looking forward to doing weddings, rehearsals, graduation parties and other fun stuff.”

The restaurant’s sole smoker had been in an outdoor barn, but it will now operate all three smokers inside the kitchen.

“It’s great for us and will improve the quality of the meat in the wintertime, because we won’t have to move the meat from the cold outdoors,” Cole said. “We’ll also have the smoker capacity to try and experiment with new menu items, wood combinations and temperature combinations.”

Bombers BBQ could start offering short rib dino bones, pulled chicken, whole smoked turkeys for Thanksgiving, and Christmas ham. Diners also can watch the meat being placed into or pulled from the smokers through large viewing windows in the dining room and by the counter.

“It’s where the magic happens,” Cole said. “It’s pretty cool to be able to watch them load or pull meat from the smokers.”

Bombers BBQ added four jobs during the expansion and is looking to hire more. It’s looking at adding self-ordering kiosks because of the difficulty of finding enough cashiers, and will eventually take all to-go orders online. The restaurant might also partner with a delivery service.

“We’ll be able to process orders faster and more efficiently,” Cole said.

The barbecue joint’s carefully curated selection of bottled craft beer won’t return until the middle of February, because it had to reapply for its alcohol permit and couldn’t get a hearing scheduled before then.

For more information, visit bombersbbq.com or call 219-836-2662.

Relocated

Dante’s House of Pizza, the popular pizzeria founded by the son of the restaurateur behind the legendary House of Pizza in Hammond, has moved just down the street to 1869 45th St. in Munster, right next to Danny Z’s.

Danny Zunica, who named the pizzeria after his dad Dante Zunica, owns both establishments.

“We remodeled in both and have a brand new bar with 20 new taps,” restaurant manager Leann Humpfer said. “We still have people’s favorite things at Dante’s: the lunch buffets, the pasta bar, and the dinner buffet on Thursday.”

The new restaurant seats about 60 to 70 diners, and is connected by a doorway to Danny Z’s, which can accommodate up to 110 people.

“The space was available, and the owners thought it made sense,” she said. “Now we’re all under one location instead of split between them.”

Dante’s has been remodeling the space and transporting over much of the art that decorated the previous location, at 1734 W. 45th St.

“We moved some art over so it has the old familiar feel,” she said. “But it’s a more modern space that’s newly remodeled and so beautiful.”

For more information, call 219-924-200 or visit dantesmunster.com.

Open

Fans of the popular Fat Burrito in Crown Point might want to check out a new Mexican restaurant in Merrillville.

Fat Burrito alum Javier Paredes, with Edgar Tapia and Round the Clock veteran Freddy Palma, opened El Poblano Mexican Restaurant in the former Delta restaurant space at 7600 Broadway in Merrillville. Paredes is the brother of Benjamin Paredes, one of the Fat Burrito owners, and he and Tapio worked there for years before striking out on their own. 

“We decided to find our own place,” he said. “Some of our food is the same. I changed the name but we also have a large burrito with a 16-inch tortilla, melted cheese and red or green sauce on the top.”

Paredes said they invested a lot of money in renovating the former Delta restaurant, such as by installing all new booths.

El Poblano specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine.

“There are more Tex-Mex restaurants around,” he said. “This is more authentic Mexican food. We make the rice and beans fresh every day.”

The 3,000-square-foot restaurant employs five and seats about 74 people. The menu includes carne asada, steak a la Mexicana, tacos and burritos. The El Poblano special piles steak, chicken, and shrimp on rice mixed with green peppers and onions, which is smothered with cheese sauce and ranchero sauce.

Breakfast items include steak and eggs and chilaquiles.

“We served authentic Mexican food,” he said. “If you think the food at Fat Burrito is good, you will like our food.”

El Poblano is open from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219-525-4193 or find El Poblano on Facebook.

Opening

Nick’s Tavern, a Lemont bar that has been featured on Chicago’s Best on WGN, is taking over the former Carlo’s Pizzeria/Big Butt BBQ at 13231 Wicker Ave. in Cedar Lake.

“We’re bringing our famous one-pound burger to Northwest Indiana,” Nick’s Tavern announced on its Facebook page.

Billing itself as a great place to watch the Chicago Blackhawks, football or other sporting events, Nick’s has been serving its massive and acclaimed Nickburger since 1945, and keeps its beers “ice cold in its unique Bevador cooler.”

The Cedar Lake location will serve lunch, dinner and drinks, offering waiter service and outdoor seating.

For more information, call 219-374-5500 or visit www.facebook.com/NicksCedarLake.

Open

Pizza Hut, one of the largest pizza chains in the country, opened a new restaurant at 13300 Lincoln Plaza Way in Cedar Lake a few weeks ago.

The Yum Brands subsidiary is known for its restaurants’ distinctive red roofs, the Book It! program that rewards young readers with personal pan pizzas, and of course the “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” song.

Pizza Hut says that “no one outpizzas the hut,” a claim which could not be verified as of press time.

The carryout restaurant, which also delivers, is located in a strip mall just south of Hanover Central High School.

The Pizza Hut is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219-374-6845.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Smoothie/juice bar and pizzeria come to Valpo, Buona eyeing C.P. site, TruFit Valpo expands to bigger location, Asada on the move

A new smoothie and juice bar on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso hopes to give residents on the south side of the city some healthier options.

The tropical-themed Island Nutrition Smoothies & More recently opened at 1675 Morthland Drive in Valparaiso.

Owner Scott Milligan said his smoothie and juice bar offers only clean, natural, non-GMO foods. It sells smoothies like a Strawberry Slam, Mango Crusher, Key Lime Sublime, and Berry, Berry Good. Juices include the Beet It Up, Kale Krusher, Citrus Coast, Sunrise Delight and Purple Rain with red cabbage, lime and apples.

“Everything is 100 percent clean and 100 percent natural,” Milligan said. 

Island Nutrition also offers detox drinks, pre- and post-workout drinks, low-calorie meal replacements and lifestyle shakes like the Banilla, made with banana, vanilla, vanilla whey protein and unsweetened almond milk. 

“What inspired me was the need for healthier options,” Milligan said. “I felt there was nothing like this on the south side of Valparaiso.”

Smoothies and juices are the top sellers, but Island Nutrition also offers kombucha, CBD, supplements like protein powders, and healthy snacks like a smoothie granola bowl. A light food menu includes salads and sandwiches.

“There’s quite a few choices to grab and go,” Milligan said. “We’ve it set up with a tropical vibe and the colors of Key West that are warm and inviting. We want people to feel good about themselves and have fun.”

Island Nutrition targets those who want to eat healthy, and its customers thus far have included high school students, busy mothers, blue-collar workers and business professionals, Milligan said.

“I want people to be happy with the choices that they make, to do something that’s right for the community,” he said. “It’s just a healthier choice than the fast-food options out there. There’s a lot of hustle and bustle, so it’s nice when there’s a healthy choice that’s also convenient.”

A ribbon-cutting with the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and an educational seminar about CBD are tentatively slated for Feb. 15.

For more information, call 219-242-8773, visit islandnutritionsmoothie.com, or find Island Nutrition on Facebook.

Relocated

Valpo TruFit moved to a much larger space at 1155 Marsh St. Suite A in Valparaiso a few months ago.

“We are a personal training and small training studio where we work one-on-one, or in small group training sessions,” said owner Luke Strain, a longtime personal trainer who has struck out on his own. “I’ve worked at quite a few big-box gyms, as you would call them. Our studio lets clients feel secure in a semiprivate setting where they’re getting personalized attention from a trainer, and not distracted by gym traffic.”

Strain and his wife Kayla Strain relocated their five-year-old fitness studio to the 4,400-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art equipment, a garage door and ample outdoor space for fresh-air training. They offer fitness training to a wide array of clients, including athletes in youth sports and seniors going through rehabilitation after surgery.

“We just needed more space,” he said. “It’s much more conducive to having more trainers under one roof, and we’ve been able to make good use of the garage door.”

Valpo TruFit trains high-level athletes with power plates, vibration platforms, kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, sleds, Jacob’s Ladders and state-of-the-art equipment.

Training sessions range from a half hour for personal sessions to 45 minutes for group sessions. Group training is limited to 12 people to ensure quality.

The studio helps people toward a number of fitness goals, including building muscle, burning fat and losing weight. It specializes in conditioning for athletes, given Kayla Strain’s experience as a collegiate softball player and former high school softball coach.

“We primarily do strength training but serve multiple populations,” Luke Strain said. “It’s not just for bodybuilding and sports performance. We help everybody move better.”

Training sessions are offered by appointment between 5 a.m. and 8 or 9 p.m. daily.

For more information, call 219-242-1078, visit www.valpotrufit.com or find the business on Facebook or Instagram.

Opening

Amici Grill and Pizzeria, a popular Italian restaurant on Ridge Road in Highland, plans to open its second location in Valparaiso, across the street from the Valparaiso University campus.

Owner Rosemary Mouratides said the goal was to open at 1409 Lincolnway in the spring. The menu will be largely the same but tweaked to cater to the college crowd.

“We expect more walking traffic in Valparaiso,” she said. “We’ll sell pizza by the slice, which will be one major difference.”

Amici’s menu includes thin-crust pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, garlic knots, desserts and espresso drinks. It offers traditional Italian fare made with all-natural, high-quality ingredients, Mouratides said.

“The reason we got into the restaurant business is we were tired of processed frozen foods, not just at fast-food restaurants but also at full-service restaurants,” she said. “The vast majority of the menu items in our restaurants are made from scratch. We make the dough and the sauces in-house. We do all the slicing and chopping ourselves.”

The Mouratides family plans to turn the business over to their two sons, leaving the Highland location to one and the Valparaiso eatery to the other.

The Amici in Valparaiso has its own parking lot on-site and hopes to add an outdoor patio.

“Amici means friends in Italian,” she said. “We try to make sure all the employees we hire are friendly so the diners have a friendly experience. It’s also named in honor of our friends who always encouraged us to open a restaurant.”

For more information, visit www.amicigrill.com.

Coming soon

The popular Italian beef chain Buona Beef is eyeing a location at Broadway and Summit Street in Crown Point, north of the Tomato Bar that’s being developed, said Aaron McDermott, president of Latitude Commercial real estate in Schererville.

Plans also call for a Pita Pit, Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, and car wash in that strip mall.

A staple at Guaranteed Rate Field, Buona Beef opened its first Indiana location last March on Indianapolis Boulevard in Schererville.

Coming soon

Highland has completed the final inspections to allow Asada Grill & Cantina to move from Griffith to a much larger location at 2907 45th St. The Mexican restaurant, which Yelp ranked as one of the best in Indiana, will take over the former Zuni’s House of Pizza space that previously had been home to several nightclubs. Zuni’s closed in December 2016.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Fat Burrito expanding to Highland, Hardee’s coming to Michigan City, Munster Donut has water pipe woes, Action Water opens storefront in Valpo

The Lord taketh away but also sometimes giveth.

Many fans of traditional Mexican food were bummed out when the beloved Memo’s Taco Mex restaurant closed in Highland last fall.

But another Mexican place with a cult following plans to take over the 40-seat eatery at 2128 45th St. in Porte De L’eau Plaza.

Fat Burrito, which has been stuffing Crown Point residents since 2012, is renovating the restaurant space and hoping to open its second location within the next few months.

Co-owners Ben Parades Rojas and David Huetra De Jesus have been looking to expand for some time because of the brisk business at the original location at 1302 N. Main St. in Crown Point. De Jesus said they hoped to open the Highland Fat Burrito in a few months, possibly as soon as March, but that a lot of renovation still needed to be done.

“We’re going to have to do some work in it,” he said. “We don’t know the date we’re going to open yet.”

Fat Burrito serves a variety of Mexican fare but is especially known for its huge namesake Mission-style burritos made with a 16-inch tortilla, melted cheese and red or green sauce on the top. They are indeed fat and not for the faint of appetite.

Open

Also in Mexican restaurant news, Asada Grill & Cantina has completed its move from the former Niko’s Steak and Seafood just south of downtown Griffith to the much larger former Zuni’s House of Pizza at 2907 W. 45th St. in Highland, a short distance from the Griffith border.

The popular Mexican eatery has been working on the big move since last spring and recently passed final inspections with the town. It’s going from a cozy 120-seat space it had been leasing to a much more spacious 250-seat restaurant with a 50-person party room.

Asada has been ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants in the state of Indiana by Yelp reviewers and offers an extensive wine selection to pair with items like whole tilapia and skirt steak.

The grill and cantina is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219-934-0400.

Water pipe woes

For more information call 219-942-9100 or find the business on Facebook or Instagram.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Lobster tacos and 60-ounce margaritas coming to Chesterton, Biggby Coffee caffeinating Michigan City, Brick Street Burritos to open in Valpo, Cozy Barn Signs opens in Schererville

A new Mexican fusion restaurant is being planned to take over the former Volstead space at 225 S. Calumet Road in Chesterton and its owner is looking to make a big splash.

Las Mamacitas Tacos, Tamales and Tequila will feature lobster and octopus tacos, more than 60 different tequilas, and “the biggest margarita in Northwest Indiana.”

“It will be 60 ounces and is enough for two people,” said restaurant owner Monica Susoreny, who’s also a public relations professional and the organizer of the NWI Food Truck Fest. “You don’t want to order it without a designated driver.”

Susoreny originally had planned to open a Los Mamacitas food truck serving tamales, including cheese steak and buffalo chicken ones. But then she found out one of her clients, the acclaimed unconventional fine dining spot Volstead, was closing and decided to take the space over.

“I was in the industry before I got into marketing,” she said. “And my husband’s been in the restaurant industry for 25 years.”

Susoreny hired chef Michelle Gomez, who’s worked at the Ritz Carlton in South Beach and most recently at a Marriott in Hawaii. She has done private catering events for celebrities like the rapper Jay Z and reality television star Jonathan Cheban. Gomez is planning a culinary training trip to Mexico where she will cook with families in Mexican homes.

“It’s going to be out-of-the-box and unique but authentic Mexican dishes,” Susoreny said. “People I talk to while networking light up and get excited when I explain it because at first they think it’s just another Mexican restaurant concept.”

Las Mamacitas will offer flights of different high-end tequila varietals, as well as flights of both tamales and tacos. The restaurant will initially employ about 25 people and seat 125 diners, including in an outdoor patio.

“The whole experience is the food,” she said. “From the moment you step into the door, we want to create a fun and unique experience, whether it’s a business dinner, you’re going out with your family or it’s a date night.”

Renovations are underway to give the building a rustic but trendy look, with a fireplace and string lighting in the bar area. Susoreny hopes to have it open by April and to do a formal grand opening on Cinco de Mayo.

“We’re really excited to be able to bring something like this to Chesterton,” Susoreny said.

Opening

The Biggby Coffee chain from East Lansing, Michigan, is planning to open a new coffee shop on April 30 at 3091 Village Point in Chesterton.

Biggby recently opened its first Region location at 3401 Franklin St. in Michigan City.

“Our Biggby offers the convenience of a drive-thru, as well as a cool new space to study with friends or meet with clients,” said owner/operator Matt Lemmer, who opened the Michigan City store with co-owner Tara Walston.

“When we chose this old beat-up garage, we fell in love with the vision of what could be,” Walston said. “While most retailers are building new construction out by the highway, we wanted to be in the heartbeat of the community while helping revitalize and repurpose a great business district. Why let a building sit empty when we can breathe new life into an area that our customers live in and drive by every day?” 

Founded in 1995 in the college town that’s home to Michigan State University, the chain now has more than 275 cafes open in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. Positioning itself as a more accessible alternative to Starbucks, Biggby offers a “less pretentious and fun approach to the standard gourmet cafe paradigm” and “connoisseur-worthy drinks with pronounceable names like Teddy Bear and Caramel Marvel.”

Biggby sells a wide variety of coffees, freezes, tea lattes, and espresso-based drinks as well as a light food menu.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/biggbymichigancity.

Opening 

Brick Street Burrito plans to bring San Diego-style burritos to Valparaiso.

What are San Diego-style burritos, you ask?

“It’s a special burrito from California with carne asada, sour cream, french fries and cheddar,” said Brian Susoreny of Costas Restaurant Group. “The founder, Evan Costas, went out to college on the West Coast and wanted to bring it back here.”

Costas Restaurant Group plans to open the quick-serve restaurant in the former Valpo Vienna hot dog stand, which recently closed.

The new restaurant at 3 Napoleon St. in downtown will seat up to 20 inside and focus on a carryout business, with a choice of about eight to 10 different burritos. The 1,000-square-foot eatery will employ about 10-15 people and offer assembly line ordering in the manner of Chipotle.

“It’s focusing on San Diego-style burritos while staying true to Northwest Indiana,” Susoreny said. “This will be our first location. We’re testing it out in Valpo.”

Open 

Cozy Barn Signs recently opened a do-it-yourself sign crafting studio at 104 E. Joliet St. in downtown Schererville.

Owner Michelle Cowan opened the business where people can buy, stain and paint customizable signs they can place on their porch, in their kitchen or anywhere around the house. Her sister had opened a similar studio in the Denver area in Colorado.

“We design everything special for what they want to make,” Cowan said. “Then they make it step-by-step. People like to personalize signs with their names, wedding dates and anniversaries.”

Groups of up to 24 people take the three-hour class by appointment in the 1,200-square-foot studio.

“It’s fun,” Cowan said. “Even if you’re not crafty, you can do it by yourself, or with friends or family. Everything is provided and it’s introductory so you don’t need any skills. We have a lot of repeat customers because everyone who comes had a good time.”

A portion of the proceeds are donated to the sanctuary Erin’s Farm in Hobart, a rescue for farm animals, including horses, llamas, pigs, goats and chickens.

“Everything is done by reservations,” she said. “We typically have open classes on weekends and are also open for private parties and groups. People come to make wedding boards, to make gifts for their grandchildren that are more special and personalized, or because they like the farmhouse trend you see from people like Joanna Gaines.”

A retail area offers candles, soaps and other odds and ends.

For more information, call 219-629-0005, visit www.cozybarn.com, or find the business on Facebook or Twitter.

Closing for renovations

Sports & Collecti-Balls at 2895 E. 81st Ave. in Merrillville will close for a short time for remodeling.

The sports collectible store offers a wide variety of products made in the United States that represent teams in MLB, the NFL, NHL, NBA and colleges and some local high schools. A shrine to sports fandom, it carries authenticated autographed items, picture frames, license plates, garden flags, Sportula stainless steel grilling tools, Stadium Views wall art and sundry other memorabilia.

The shop has been in business for four years and has been featured on the Around Town segment on “WGN Morning News.”

Owner Bob Wahlman said he hopes to have it reopen as soon as next week.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Thai and sushi restaurant opens in Valpo, Vegas Baby nightclub opens in Griffith, Big Frank’s Sausage makes big move

A new Thai and sushi restaurant by the Valparaiso University campus aims to bring a taste of Thai cuisine to Valparaiso.

Thailand native Ittaya Kolasa and her husband Richard Kolasa opened Kin Khao Thai & Sushi at 607 Lincolnway Thursday. It’s the second Thai and sushi restaurant to come to Valparaiso in the last three years, after Bangkok Thai and Sushi opened at 2103 Calumet Ave. on the north side of town in 2016.

“My wife loves to cook,” Richard Kolasa said. “She wanted to bring some of her culture from her country that might not have been present. It’s true authentic Thai food that supports the values of Thailand and the owner’s nationality.”

The 40-seat restaurant serves Thai food such as Pad Thai, curries, pho, fish soup and a “Three Kings” dish that includes a lobster tail, giant prawns and scallops. It hopes to add sushi in a few weeks and is in the process of trying to hire a sushi chef from Thailand.

Diners will be able to watch the sushi chef at work up close at a traditional sushi bar that sits up to six people.

“We’ll have everything: specialty rolls, sashimi, deep-fried rolls,” he said.

The business offers Thai teas and coffees, green tea, and soft drinks, and is applying for beer and wine permits.

Kin Khao Thai & Sushi is located in the space of the former Greenwich Terrace Cafe, an American-style restaurant and coffee shop with live jazz that closed in 2014. The new owners invested about $70,000 in renovating the building, leaving up a historic mural depicting Valparaiso in the 19th century.

The 1,300-square-foot restaurant will employ five people at first. It has an outdoor patio that can accommodate 20 diners. Live entertainment is planned outside, including Thai dancing and karaoke.

It’s right off campus.

“We’re going after the university crowd,” Richard Kolasa said. “Many college kids don’t have cars and could walk here or get it delivered.”

Kin Khao plans to offer delivery itself and through online platforms like Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash. It will also try to draw a lunch crowd with $9 lunch specials.

“Our long-term goal is to keep this family-owned restaurant up and going as long as we can,” he said. “Taste of Thailand was in Chesterton for at least 20 years, and we want to be like that.”

Kin Khao is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 219-299-8268 or find Kin Khao Thai & Sushi on Facebook.

Open

The owners of Vegas Cafe in Schererville sold their business on Indianapolis Boulevard to Skillets in Highland, and have since opened Vegas Baby at 213 N. Broad St. in Griffith.

Unaffiliated with the It’s Vegas Baby nightclub at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Vegas Baby replaces the short-lived Zuchez Restaurant and Bar in Griffith, which opened and closed in a few months last year. 

Vegas Baby is a breakfast and lunch restaurant by day, and a bar and nightclub by night. It seats up to 300 and has a large dance floor in the bar area. 

Valentina Mitreska and Mike Petrovic  opened the 6,000-square-foot establishment, which is three times as big as the their former Vegas Cafe in Schererville.

The new place has a different menu that includes all-you-can-eat fish fries on Fridays, stuffed peppers, beef stew, Greek salad and the Serbian sausage cevapi. Vegas Baby has a three-way liquor license that allows it to sell beer, wine and spirits, and will have live DJs and dancing every Friday and Saturday night.

“Local people have to go to Chicago to go dancing or meet someone,” Mitreska said. “There’s nothing like that here, so we wanted a place where people can go and get on the dance floor. You can’t find a nightclub here. Most bars are sports bars.”

Vegas Baby maintained the Las Vegas theme of their previous restaurant and also has raffles for prizes.

“We love Vegas. We love going to shows,” Metreska said. “I love dancing and music and entertainment. My passion has always been music and entertainment. There are good times in Vegas and we are trying to have a Vegas experience here to make people happy. It’s a Vegas kind of atmosphere.”

Vegas Baby is open as a restaurant from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The bar and nightclub is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 219.513.9174 or find Vegas Baby Bar on Facebook.

Relocated

Big Frank’s Sausage, the beloved Polish joint in East Chicago, has moved, but not very far.

The restaurant, known for its Polish sausage, pierogi and golubki, relocated to a new location in East Chicago’s Roxanna neighborhood that’s “just a 30-second drive east of the old place,” Big Frank’s posted on Facebook.

Big Frank’s is now serving up its hearty Polish cuisine at 918 Carrol St., not far from the South Shore Line train station.

Started in 2011, the old school Polish eatery also is a staple at the Region’s summer festivals, including last year’s inaugural Kielbasa Fest at Kosciuszko Park in East Chicago.

For more information, call 219-378-9556 or find the business on Facebook.

Open 

Hardee’s has opened a fast food burger joint at 5223 Franklin St. in Michigan City.

Spokeswoman Alexa Kavanaugh said the 2,700-square-foot restaurant seats up to 64 people and has a drive-through. The St. Louis-based chain is best known for its “charbroiled thickburgers,” including the once-popular but discontinued half-pound Six Dollar Thickburger. 

The Hardee’s will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Open

Express Factory Outlet opened a few months ago along the boulevard in Schererville.

The Columbus, Ohio-based Express Clothing located an outlet store at 134 Indianapolis Blvd. between Old Navy and Bath and Body Works near the retail-heavy and highly trafficked intersection of Main Street and Indianapolis Boulevard.

The clothing retailer started out as Limited Express in Chicago’s Water Tower Place in 1980, and now has more than 600 locations worldwide, including an Express store at Southlake Mall and an Express Factory Outlet that opened in the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City in 2017. The retailer sells both women’s and men’s apparel and accessories like jewelry, sunglasses, belts and handbags.

For more information, call 219-558-6017.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Brickies Gyros expands, Aunt Millie’s closes in Merrillville, Consider the Lilies sells crafts in Munster, Belle Tire coming to Valpo

Brickies Gyros is back, bigger than before, and now offers buckets of beer and live entertainment.

The gyro stand closed in August because the city of Hobart plans to demolish the Clock Tower Plaza where it was located. The demolition is part of a project to rebuild the East 3rd Street Bridge over Lake George. So the gyro place relocated a few blocks away, to a much larger location at 524 E. 3rd St. in Hobart, where it’s more than doubled its staff to nine employees.

Formerly a small carryout restaurant, Brickies Gyros acquired and moved into a building formerly occupied by the Old Stove meat market and deli, which closed about four years ago, and the Mauer’s Hospitality Room, a banquet hall that closed more than a decade ago. Brickies Gyros now has 60 seats.

“Before, customers could only sit outside on a picnic bench by the lake,” owner Wendy Race said. “Now we have a lot of seating.”

Brickies Gyros also gained a much larger kitchen that lets it run regular specials in addition to its usual offerings of Chicagoland staples including gyros, hot dogs, Italian beef, Italian sausage and meatball sandwiches. Specials that prove popular, like the pot roast sandwich, get added to the regular menu.

The restaurant has been in downtown Hobart for more than six years, and Race acquired it about four years ago, looking for a change of pace from being a Realtor.

“It’s my whole life,” she said. “It’s all I do. I get up in the morning and go shopping for the restaurant. It’s a full-time job. Then I go home and go to bed.”

Race spent months renovating the new building, which has been decorated with nostalgic Brickie memorabilia, both of the city and Hobart High School. The restaurant now keeps a pot of chili going, has rolled out all-day delivery, and has snagged a three-way liquor license to help boost evening business.

“We can offer Long Island iced teas, margaritas, and reasonable bucket specials,” Race said. “You can come in for a sandwich and have a glass of beer or wine with your hamburger. It’s still a family-friendly restaurant where kids can come for cheese fries after school; it’s just now more people can get a beer if they want.”

About once a month, Brickies Gyros will host acoustic musicians or other live entertainers, like stand-up comedy or trivia contests. It plans to offer a family fun night every Tuesday with face-painting, balloons and other activities for kids.

“It’s a lot nicer than the old place,” she said. “Everything is made-to-order and reasonably priced.”

A grand opening celebration will take place from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 28. There will be a pig roast with $8.99 plates of roast pork, potatoes, soup and salads. In the evening, Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor will make remarks and the country and classic rock band Nawty will play. 

Brickies Gyros is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 219-942-0101 or find the business on Facebook.

Closed

Aunt Millie’s Bakery has sold its last loaf of bread in Merrillville.

The 118-year-old Fort Wayne-based bakery chain opened a store at 8280 Mississippi St. in Merrillville, in a former Tire Barn Warehouse across from the Southlake Mall, in 2015. It sold an array of whole-grain bread, buns, rolls, English muffins, bagels and muffins.

A company representative said it closed on Monday.

The company also operates a commercial bakery in Lowell, making hamburger and hot dog buns that are sold at grocery stores under the Aunt Millie’s brand name. It cranks out as many as 69,600 buns per hour. The facility opened in 2017, employs an estimated 117 workers, and serves the greater Chicago area.

Open 

Munster resident Julie Kapteyn enjoys going to pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market.

She wished there were someplace one could go at any time to find handmade goods, so she opened a shop herself, naming it after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.”

Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster sells handcrafted work from more than 50 vendors. Most of them are local and within an hour’s drive, but some hail from as far away as Kenya and Indianapolis.

The store sells jewelry, home decor, handbags, baby items, teddy bears, dolls, soup, candles and leather journals. Vendors include the Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts, Bird and Bear Dolls, Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory

“We have a real variety,” she said. “I always want to open a little shop. I would go to popup markets, meet the vendors and see what they make. I was inspired by their passion and talent.”

Kapteyn, who repurposes furniture for her own enjoyment, said the boutique was a place to find one-of-a-kind gifts.

“I have a lot of repeat customers,” she said. “There are a lot of great artisans in the area. It’s a place to find unique things and gifts. The work of the artisans makes the store what it is. It’s a great way to shop small and local.”

Consider the Lilies offers Door County Coffee and Tea from Wisconsin to shoppers browsing the store.

The store is currently open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, find Consider the Lilies on Facebook and Instagram.

Coming

Belle Tire, a Michigan-based premium tire and auto care shop, plans to open in Valparaiso this fall.

The company, which was founded in Detroit in 1922, has more than 90 locations across Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, including one in Michigan City.

Belle Tire President Don Barnes III told the trade publication Tire Review that the chain planned to open another 17 stores this year, mostly in the Indianapolis area, but including the store in Valparaiso.

Open

The recently opened El Poblano Mexican Restaurant at 7600 Broadway in Merrillville just got a three-way liquor license that lets it sell beer, wine and liquor, owner Javier Paredes said.

The traditional Mexican restaurant that takes pride in its carne asada has started selling domestic and imported beers, sangria and a variety of margaritas in the former Delta Restaurant space. 

New owner, name

Evanston-based Extended Care acquired the 216-bed facility of HCR Manor Care in South Holland for an undisclosed sum and rebranded it as  the South Holland Manor Health & Rehab Center.

“With the addition of this former Manor Care facility to our roster, our world class services will now be available to the South Holland community,” said Dina Gallo, regional director of business development for Extended Care. “Our goal is to offer the full spectrum of health and rehabilitation services throughout the health care continuum in the south suburbs. ”

The facility offers recovery and rehabilitation care to both long-term residents and people who were recently discharged from the hospital.

“We can now promise the services, support, expertise and training from one of the largest and most complete post-acute health care teams to the people of the Chicagoland region, yet deliver it with the same ‘neighbors caring for neighbors’ community approach that will make these locations so special,” she said.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Fine dining Italian restaurant and rooftop cocktail bar coming to Chesterton, Dry Goods planned at Southlake Mall, Nothing Bundt Cake opens in Schererville, Harold’s Chicken coming to Michigan City

Abbiocco Italian Cuisine plans to bring Chicago-caliber Italian fine dining to Chesterton, drawing on a rich family heritage that includes the famous John’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in Calumet City and Ciao Bella in Schererville.

A sister business, the rooftop bar Luna Kitchen + Cocktails, will open above it in a new building that’s under construction at 600 Gateway Boulevard in Chesterton. It will have a retractable rooftop so it can be used year-round and in inclement weather.

A group that includes Agostino Femminella, the grandson of former John’s Pizzeria cook Agostino “Gus” Femminella, and Ciao Bella owner Joe Scalzo are opening the 9,000-square-foot eatery that will seat up to 350 diners.

“We wanted a new place for Chesterton that’s different and exciting,” Femminella said. “In Italian, abbiocco means to feel fulfilled after having a great meal. It’s going to be traditional Italian cuisine with a twist on it. And there will be a rooftop bar with small plates where people 21 and older can go to relax. It will be a little bit more casual with small plates, shareable appetizers and comfort food. It will be a little more American.”

Abbiocco hired Chicago chef Josh Ramirez to serve as its executive chef. He’s worked at Quartino Ristorante, Bar Siena and Custom House Tavern in the city and will craft a chef-driven menu for the new restaurant, which also may serve some Ciao Bella favorites.

The menu will include pasta, pizza, steak, seafood and daily specials, sampling different regional cuisines from across Italy.

“We want a place where everyone, whether white collar or blue collar, can feel welcome and comfortable and enjoy their meal,” Femminella said. “We’ll provide some live entertainment, mostly on the roof. You can come for a fine dining experience or to watch the game by the bar.”

They expect it will be a draw from neighboring towns since it will be located just off Ind. 49 and the Indiana Toll Road, by AJ’s Pizza.

“There’s nothing like it in the area,” he said.

Construction should be complete by the end of April. Abbiocco and Luna Kitchen then plan to hire about 30 to 40 employees and be open by early June, Femminella said.

The restaurant will be open for both lunch and dinner.

“My family has been in the restaurant business for a long time,” he said. “My grandfather came here from Italy and one of his first jobs was at John’s in Calumet City. We want to give people a good, fun experience.”

For more information, visit abbioccoeats.com or find the businesses on Facebook or Instagram.

Open

The long-awaited Nothing Bundt Cake has opened in Schererville’s Shops on Main.

Yes, the pun is a reference to bundt cakes, the European-style ring-shaped cakes that are baked in bundt pans.

Valerie Warnell and Tammy Oliver, friends of 25 years, opened the franchise bakery at 69 U.S. 41. The pair has some personal history.

“We have been friends since our kids were little and now we have eight children and five grandchildren amongst us,” Warnell said.

The Dallas-based chain was founded in 1997 and now has 292 bakeries across North America. The Schererville bakery is its fourth in Indiana and 20th in the Chicago metropolitan area.

It sells bundt cakes made with eggs, butter and cream cheese in four sizes, 40 unique designs, and 10 flavors.

“Bundt cakes mean happiness and we can’t wait to spread joy in our community,” Oliver said. “To be able to do it with my dear friend is frosting on the cake.”

Nothing Bundt Cake is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 219-300-8570 or visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com.

Opening

Dry Goods will open at the Southlake Mall in Hobart during the first week of March, mall Marketing Director Kristi Jackson said.

“They are a national chain that sells women’s apparel,” Jackson said. “They are located on the upper level near JCPenney.”

Dry Goods started as an actual old-fashioned dry goods store, selling textiles and sundries in Davenport, Iowa in 1872. It now sells modern women’s fashions at more than 40 mostly mall-based stores across the Midwest, including five in Indiana and nine in Illinois.

The Iowa-based retailer sells dresses, sweaters, jackets, T-shirts, rompers, kimonos, skirts, shorts, pants, jeans, jewelry, bathing suits, and accessories.

For more information, call 219-472-7670 or visit drygoodsusa.com.

Coming soon

Harold’s Chicken Shack, the legendary South Side Chicago fried chicken restaurant, is eyeing a Michigan City location.

Signs posted in the window of a storefront at 11th and Franklin streets in downtown Michigan City say a Harold’s is coming soon.

The fast food and takeout chain is widely celebrated for its southern-style fried chicken, which is often dipped in mild or hot sauce. Harold’s has Northwest Indiana locations in Gary, Hammond, Merrillville and Dyer, which an article in Chicago Magazine claimed was the second best Harold’s in a ranking many South Siders disputed.

Open 

Caring Hearts Adult Day Care opened in Portage to take care of people who are physically or emotionally impaired.

The business at 3391 Airport Road watches over and provides two meals a day to clients who currently range from 21 years old to 94 years old. They are taken care of in a family-home environment during the day, while their caretakers are at work.

“Our staff of caregivers is most patient, kind and understanding when it provides for the activities and entertainment of its charges,” owner Karen Ruiz said. “Virtually all efforts are made to make certain that the client is active and comfortable.”

Caring Hearts Adult Day Care accepts insurance, Medicaid waivers, and direct payments to take care of adults, such as quadriplegics or those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. They get access to nurses, beauticians, and podiatrists, and go on occasional field trips.

“We are happy to provide a place, comfort and opportunity for any person with disabling impairments to feel loved and comfortable,” Manager Rebecca Ames said.

For more information, call 219-841-5787 or visit caringheartsadultdaycare.com.

Renamed

The straightforwardly named Booze Liquors at 820 W. 61st Ave. in Merrillville was acquired by a new owner and renamed Party Liquors #1. It continues to be a liquor store that sells booze, as the old name implied.

The small Party Liquors chain also has a location in Gary.

Open temporarily

Rivich Auction and Estate Sale will have an antique auction at noon Sunday at 9430 Calumet Ave. in Munster, and host a pop-up shop of vintage items there through April 1.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Wine bar/deli/restaurant coming to Duneland, Hasta La Vista restaurant opens in Highland, White Castle reopens in Chesterton, Mattioli’s Pizza closes in Crown Point

The owners of Beverly Shore’s Hobgoblin, a high-end liquor store with an emphasis on wine, kept hearing the same complaints about how the lakefront beach community in Duneland lacked anywhere to grab coffee, breakfast or groceries.

So Dawn Huston decided to open the Goblin and the Grocer at 1 W. Dunes Highway in Beverly Shores. It’s a cafe, restaurant and wine bar with a deli and market that sells charcuterie, fancy cheeses and other picnic items that could be taken in a basket to the nearby beach.

“We’ve been working for two years now,” she said. “It’s a brand new structure. It’s about six weeks out now. It’s going to be unique. It’s not going to be so expensive that you feel you can’t come often. We’ll also be offering acoustic bands on a weekly basis.” 

Huston hopes to open the cafe and restaurant in mid-April and the wine bar in May.

The 3,600-square-foot building will include a coffee shop that serves a variety of coffee and espresso drinks throughout the day, as well as breakfast sandwiches, pastries, muffins, bagels and waffles. It will pour java made with locally roasted beans from Smalltown Coffee in Crown Point. Customers will be encouraged to hang out.

“For people at their beach homes, they can come in and bring in their computer,” she said. “You can get away from your family and your husband for a little change of pace.” 

A full deli will specialize in cured meats like prosciutto and jamón, and serve up charcuterie plates that could be noshed on with a glass of wine.

“It will have international cheeses, smoked salmon, chicken salad, things you can gather in a basket and take to the beach,” Huston said. “Oh, and there will always be fresh bread.”

The wine bar will feature an international selection of vino from different countries and regions.

“We’ll bring in a Spanish guitarist,” he said. “We’ll of course have wine dinners with pairings and have a partnership with the liquor store where if you taste something you like you can pop across the street to buy a bottle.”

The restaurant will serve a gastropub-like menu of small plates of modern American cuisine. It will feature a chef-driven seasonal menu with moderately priced items like crab cakes, chopped salads, shepherd’s pie, and shrimp cocktail. Huston is bringing in a chef from Chicago who can’t be named yet.

“We’re going to source as much locally as we can, from local farms and purveyors,” she said. “There will be no fried food. There’s so much barbecue and fried food along the beachfront, but this neighborhood is filled with hikers, bikers, cyclists and bird watchers. We feel like they don’t really go together. We’ll focus on more healthy food.” 

The restaurant will be able to seat about 90 in a cozy interior with two fireplaces, as well as another 50 or 60 outside in the summer, where there will be live music performances.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said. “It’s up on the dunes. You can’t see the beach but it’s near the entrance and has a beachy feel like you’re on vacation. It’s a coastal atmosphere.”

In addition to filling voids in Beverly Shores, Huston hopes to draw visitors “from Miller Beach to Long Beach,” as well as people heading up to Lake Michigan to go boating or to the beach. It’s in a high-profile location by the Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery.

The Goblin and the Grocer name comes from a Hans Christian Andersen story about a goblin who must choose whether to save a poet or a grocer from a house fire.

“It’s about how you do what you’re passionate about and keep yourself fed,” she said. “How do you do your life’s work and keep feeding? The goblin falls madly in love with the poet but goes to the grocer to eat. He’s faced with a choice of which to save, but in the end they both survive.”

The Goblin and the Grocer will likely be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, visit www.goblinandthegrocer.com.

Open 

The Hasta La Vista Eatery has opened in the One Best Life at Tinker’s Attic art gallery and music venue at 2513 Highway Ave. in Highland.

Susan Crouch opened the art gallery in downtown Highland about five years ago, where she sells the work of about 25 artists. It’s become a popular destination for open mic nights, poetry readings and art classes. 

Crouch always planned to add a restaurant component to draw more people in to view the art.

“Art and music appeal to a certain niche of people,” she said. “But everybody needs to eat. We’re looking to break down barriers and show what a melting pot Northwest Indiana is by serving international food to appeal to a diverse population of people.”

The Hasta La Vista name has nothing to do with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous one-liner from “Terminator 2.” 

“It means see you again,” she said. “It’s an endearment that’s consistent with living one’s best life and being happy with yourself.”

The chef-driven menu will feature a variety of foods like cajun sausage, Thai chicken soup, rustic tomato bisque, blackened catfish, lasagna, steak, $5 hamburgers and grilled pork tacos with mango salsa. Tuesdays will feature barbecue and live blues music.

“The food leans healthy and really is a melting pot,” she said. “It’s fine food but in a laid-back atmosphere where you can be really comfy and make yourself at home.”

The restaurant can seat about 48 people. It will tailor orders to meet particular diets, such as vegan, low sodium or keto.

“If anyone has diabetes or any health issues, we can make anything around their dietary limitations,” she said. “We have a good older crowd that comes in to listen to the music and we want to cater to them.”

Crouch said the eatery will have a family-friendly atmosphere where musicians are often jamming on the small stage. It will sell beverages such as cappuccino, coffee, espresso, pop, water and fruit juices, as well as lighter fare like muffins, brownies, and fresh-made yogurt.

Hasta La Vista Eatery will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by appointment, as well as for special musical performances on Sundays.

Closed

Mattioli’s Pizza in Crown Point has served its final slice.

The family-owned pizzeria at 220 S. Main St. in downtown Crown Point closed indefinitely after four years.

“Four years ago my family and I started with nothing but a pizza pan, a recipe and a dream,” owner Rick Mattioli posted on Facebook. “What it turned into was some of the most challenging, and rewarding, experiences of my life. The business and personal relationships I’ve formed over the years will continue to impact and influence me for the rest of my days. Unfortunately, due to multiple unforeseen circumstances, I have to let that dream fade once again back into the ether.”

The pizzeria used old family recipes and also sold sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

“I would like to personally thank all my customers for taking a chance on a small out-of-the way pizzeria in a basement,” he said. “And thank you to all my family, friends and employees who supported me and helped me deliver pizzas, prep the food, and for slaving in 95-degree heat just to serve slices out of a tent to an eager crowd. Those miserable days truly were some of the happiest days of my life.”

Reopen 

White Castle reopened its restaurant at 25 Indian Boundary Road in Chesterton after remodeling.

“White Castle has been part of the Chesterton community since 2003,” White Castle CEO Lisa Ingram said. “We know that our restaurants play a daily part in the lives of many community members and we’re excited to re-welcome them to this Castle.”

The restaurant seats 36 and employs 18.

“We’re thrilled to be once again serving delicious sliders to Chesterton cravers, and we’re thankful for our amazing team members who worked at nearby locations while this one was temporarily closed,” Ingram said.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Neopolitan and alla Romana pizza place coming to CP, Joe’s Cafe and Debbie’s Dresses closing, Harbor Freight Tool and Belle Tire coming

Battista’s Artisan Pizzeria has swooped in to take over the restaurant space recently vacated by Mattioli’s Pizza in the Hall of Justice building in downtown Crown Point. 

Chef Joe Gaal, the owner of the acclaimed Sage Restaurant in downtown Valparaiso, plans to open a Neopolitan and alla Romana gourmet pizza place, which will grow all its herbs hydroponically inside the building and handmake all its sourdough.

Gaal’s “chic + casual” Sage is a trattoria that specializes in homemade pastas and American-Italian fusion cuisine. It’s so classy that Google describes it as classy when you Google it.

“The nice thing is we can cook whatever we like there,” he said. “But we have favorites that if we took off the menu people would throw bricks through the window. If I took the chicken marsala off the menu, I would fear for my life every time I went to my car.”

At his new venture at 220 S. Main St. in Crown Point, Gaal hopes to introduce diners to more European styles of pizza. His second restaurant is named after his mother, whose maiden name is Battista.

“The pizza we have here in this country is basically Italian-American,” he said. “It’s New York-style pizza everyone’s accustomed to. In Italy, there are a couple of different styles. There’s alla Romana with the thin crispy crusts, and Naples-style with the big wood-fired crust. We’ll be offering both Naples-style and alla Romana.”

But there will also be a modern twist.

“It will be old world meets the new world,” he said. “We do a classic Margherita and a classic buffalo Margherita with buffalo mozzarella. We’ll also do a Cluck Cluck Boom, where the cluck cluck is chicken and the boom is lightly pickled banana peppers.”

Gaal plans to smoke chicken, porchetta, pork shoulders and other meats that will be served on the pizza or with cheese on charcuterie plates. Basil, oregano and other fresh herbs will be grown hydroponically on-site. A major focus will be on the crust.

“Artisanal means you work with your hands,” he said. “We’ll be making dough with sourdough, the world’s oldest bread that dates back to ancient Egypt. We’re going to let the dough ferment for at least 30 hours. It’s the old way of making it that brings more flavor. It gives the dough the chances to be alive and express itself. The yeast is alive, and the longer you ferment it, the more complex and bigger the flavor is. It takes hours and hours to master a living dough.”

Gaal said he hopes to preserve the traditional artisanal ways of cooking.

“I’ve been doing this for 25 years and you have to have a passion for it,” he said. “There’s a right way to make things and a wrong way. You have to never stop learning, and dive into the studying. If you give your heart to it and have a passion for it, people notice.”

He plans to source many ingredients from local farmers and farmer’s markets. He makes the sauce with tomatoes picked at their peak of ripeness, with salt and olive oil, but no sugar.

“These are ingredients I fell in love with,” he said. “I hope my diners fall in love with it too.”

The 2,800-square foot restaurant will seat 48 initially and another 60 when the back room is opened later. It will employ 10 people and offer outdoor dining in the summer.

The South Side native always wanted to run a pizza restaurant and got the opportunity to do so when he found out the Mattioli’s space was opening up.

“The pizza stars aligned,” he said. “It’s a historic building and when you walk in it’s like a corner on Italy, where you’re walking down the street to a trattoria. Then you walk through a door and cross through the old world into the new world. At least I hope people will see it this way. It’s like an alleyway in Italy and then you enter a more modern space we’ve been renovating.”

Battista’s Artisan Pizzeria will offer a featured pizza of the month, calzones, salads, espresso and desserts like tiramisu and cannoli. It will offer Italian wines, craft beers and imported Peroni, and cocktails.

“We’ll have all the popular varietals and estate origin wines,” he said. “The wine selection will be rotating and the wines won’t break the bank. There won’t be any $13 wine pours. We also plan to educate people with wine classes, bread-making classes, hands-on stuff.”

Battista’s Artisan Pizzeria will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit www.battistaspizzeria.com, or find the business on Facebook.

Opening

Harbor Freight Tools is coming to Portage, where it will employ 35 to 40 workers.

The California-based chain plans to open a new store next to Big Lots in the Portage Commons Shopping Center on U.S. 6, in the heart of the city’s retail trade area.

Harbor Freight Tools purports to sell “quality tools at ridiculously low prices.” It carries a selection of more than 7,000 tools that range “from hand tools and generators, to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools.”

The family-owned chain has more than 1,000 locations across the country and has served more than 40 million customers since it was founded 42 years ago.

The 15,000-square-foot store at 5972 US Highway 6 is tentatively slated to open April 16, with a grand opening in May.

Coming soon

Belle Tire, a Michigan-based premium tire and auto care shop, will soon open new stores in Valparaiso and Merrillville.

Spokeswoman Sawyer Lipari said the Valparaiso store will open in a newly constructed building on Porters Vale Boulevard in September, and employ around 20, who will be hired locally.

“Belle Tire believes there is a lot of opportunity in the market, and the company can offer premium tire and auto services to the community,” she said. “Belle Tire is planning to open a store in Merrillville as well, with its next closest store already located Michigan City, which has been open for two years now.” 

Closing

Debbie’s Dresses in Whiting is closing after 42 years. Debbie Manderino has run the prom dress shop at 1828 Indianapolis Boulevard.

“She will be officially closing up shop this spring,” her son Joey Manderino said.

Liquidations sales of up to 80 percent off will continue until May.

The business opened in 1977 when Manderino got a $1,000 loan from her mother. It became known for its bright purple awning and eye-catching window displays. The boutique “exploded into one of the most highly trafficked special-occasion destinations in the Region, outfitting thousands of girls a year with the perfect dress for their high school proms and formals.”

“Debbie’s has been the absolute joy of my life,” Debbie Manderino said. “But all good things must come to an end. And I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life. A chapter with more palm trees.”

For more information, call 219-677-1741 or find the business on Facebook and Instagram.

Closed

Joe’s Cafe has served its final omelet in Crown Point.

The pancake house and diner at 1312 N. Main St. in Crown Point closed for good because of the death of the owner.

“Due to the passing of Joe Sila, his cafe has closed effective immediately,” a sign posted on the front door said. “We apologize for the abrupt nature but we know you understand given the circumstances.”

The cafe, only open for breakfast and dinner, was known for burgers, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, ethnic fare and endless cups of coffee.

Closed

It’s 2019.

Most people are streaming movies via Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Crackle or other streaming services.

Oasis Video at 8231 Hohman Ave in Munster, the town’s last video store, went the way of VHS and disappeared.

NWI Business Ins and Outs: Craft cocktail bar in old Strongbow space brings Valpo truffle fries and Adult Lunchables, Ashley HomeStore opens, Phil’s Caribbean Cuisine closes