Hey Locals,

We're working on a few projects behind-the-scenes this week, so instead of our usual Above the Fold breakdown on Thursday, we'll be sending you some of our favorite things for spring, from local eats to inspiration and more – plus, what we're looking forward to this summer.

In Briefs, we have the latest about new developments on The Landing, as well as an interesting follow-up to our groundbreaking carwash report last year – and how one candidate for Indiana senate is using it in their campaign.

In our To Do List, we have lots of events this week involving coffee and books, from new cafes to ways to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day!

Don't forget: In April, we’re partnering with the Shops at The Sanctuary in Columbia City to bring all paid subscribers a BOGO coffee drink at their new cafe and reading room, 1892 Coffee & Books.

Now, let’s get started.

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

What's happening?

This week, we’re sharing another roundup of Local Insights from our staff – what we're eating, reading and enjoying in Fort Wayne this spring, as well as a few events and stories we're looking forward to this summer. Catch our last roundup published in January here.

Tell us your news! What have you been up to the past few months? Any good reading or local restaurants to recommend? What are some of your favorite hidden gems in Fort Wayne? Hit reply to this email, and join the conversation.

• More apartments and retail space are coming to The Landing as part of a $20M project, The Landing Exchange, in the parking lot next to Nawa. Last week, project leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on the northeast corner of Columbia Street and Harrison. The project includes 40 apartments, and 5,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on the ground level. Eight apartments will be workforce housing (renting to individuals or families with 60 to 80 percent of the area median income), and 32 will be market rate. There will be 20 studios, 10 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments. Construction is expected to be complete by late 2027. The City of Fort Wayne is contributing about $4M to the project, which has received some pushback from citizens for blocking views of The Landing's popular Bison mural. But project leaders say the mural will still be visible from an alleyway between the buildings.
• A U.S. Air Force veteran running for Liz Brown's Indiana Senate seat (District 15) says Fort Wayne's carwash overkill is hurting the local economy. The Democratic candidate, Chloe Andis, says the influx of carwashes, driven in part by President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is providing limited economic benefits to the community and not adequately contributing jobs to the workforce, WANE 15 reports. Last year, The Local broke news about Fort Wayne’s recent influx of car washes, exposing how it relates to Trump's tax cuts and national trends. Following our report, City Council voted against allowing another investor-owned carwash chain to enter the local market. There are currently about 30 express carwashes in city limits, not counting the many carwashes at local auto dealerships. Andis released a video campaigning on “fewer car washes, more community,” and said that, if elected, she would enact similar tax incentives to help the working class instead, like cutting childcare costs.
• Developers of a controversial quarry planned for Southwest Allen County say their project will “not be detrimental” to the area or nearby property. In documents filed with the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) last week, WANE 15 reports the developers, The Heritage Group, argue that the quarry can “operate without creating adverse effects on existing development or limiting future growth,” and that the location presents a “compatible setting for a quarry operation” because the site is vacant and undeveloped. Last week, City Council also sent a letter to the Allen County Commissioners, outlining concerns about the quarry, which they say constituents have told them "loud and clear" that they do not want. “We must stand with our residents who are staunchly opposed to this development and the numerous impacts that could develop from it," the letter says. A citizen-created website, No Quarry on Homestead, features an interactive map that shows the quarry’s impact radius. A public meeting with The Heritage Group will be held on April 22 at 5:30 p.m. at The Landmark Centre, and a public hearing is planned for May 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum with the BZA and Allen County Plan Commission.
• The Summit campus on Fort Wayne’s South Side is turning into a new YMCA branch. Last week, YMCA of Northeast Indiana leaders announced the Turpin Family YMCA to be built at the former Taylor University campus on Rudisill Boulevard in the 46807. The scaled-down facility will include fitness equipment, group classes, youth sports, and childcare for parents working out. Construction begins in August with plans to open in early 2027.
• The Fort Wayne Fire Department spent more than $2M on overtime expenses in 2025 – a costly budget item City Council is weighing as it moves into a tight budget season this fall. Last year, more than half of overtime hours were caused by the use of sick time, according to Fire Chief Eric Lahey, who presented to council last week. First responders and staff receive a full year of sick time, and the department currently has 391 staff, more than the authorized head count of 385. For months, the Fort Wayne Metro Firefighters union (IAFF Local 124) has questioned the fire department’s use of “forced overtime,” and union leaders have called for Lahey’s resignation, The JG* reports. In September, the union responded to unresolved mediation efforts and contract agreements with the City in a statement, saying: “Fire Chief Lahey’s mismanagement has already cost taxpayers an extra $6.4 million in overtime since 2017, a burden shouldered by firefighters and the public they protect.” Fort Wayne's city budget is annually approved in October.

• Get coffee: at Axe to Grind, a new rock n’ roll-themed coffee shop that started as a mobile coffee car, with a “playlist” of drinks and live music. Their first show is April 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with Stephen Gallagher. 
• Stretch: at Sculpt + Espresso Intentional Mornings with Discover Yoga on The Landing. The event includes an upbeat sculpt class set to a killer playlist followed by espresso and connection on April 25 at 8:30 a.m. ($25 drop-in)
• Shop: Independent Bookstore Day at Sunbound Books on April 25th. Grow your TBR list, and come early for a latte or tea from Fort Wayne Coffee Club. Be one of the first 25 customers and score a free embroidered t-shirt, and join the start of a Bingo challenge that will go until the end of June.
• Sip: local ciders and meads at Ambrosia Orchard’s Spring Market Kickoff on April 25, 2-7 p.m., including free music by Dave Pagan & Friends, craft vendors, local food, brews and more. (Adults sign up at Solfestfw.org, and kids sign up at FWYouthMarket.org)
• Celebrate: Earth Day at Science Central on April 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., featuring guest speakers and special programming with an Earth-related theme.
• Taste test: local wine at Country Heritage Winery’s 15th anniversary with a four-day anniversary wine sale April 27–30 and 15th Anniversary Party on April 29, 5-9 p.m. The party includes complimentary tasting stations, live music, open winery tours, 15% off food, and deals on 15 wines.
• Watch: LADA through the Looking Glass, an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, performed by Fort Wayne Life Adult Day Academy students in partnership with Audiences Unlimited, featuring a cast of puppets at the Embassy Theatre on April 29 at 1 p.m. 
• Honor: National Library Week at the Allen County Public Library, with this year’s theme being “Find Your Joy.” Programs include an up-cycled Fairy house-making workshop for kids, a wine (and whine) book club at Hoppy Gnome, and a kitten adoption event.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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