Hey Locals,

It's a busy week on Broadway, where several local businesses are celebrating grand openings, reopenings and anniversaries on Friday, as part of the street's monthly First Fridays events. We share a few must-see stops and menu recommendations.

On a more serious note, City Council says state legislators aren't listening to them, and impending state budget cuts will likely result in layoffs locally. We break down what to know in Briefs.

If you're feeling short on endorphins, thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather this week in our To-Do List. Plus, some interesting history on local parks.

Don't forget: There's still time to get an April freebie! This month, we're partnering the superfood cafe Grain & Berry at 9821 Lima Rd. to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free juice or health shot. Did you know we give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership? See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get that deal!

Now, let's get started!

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

Broadway is the place to be Downtown.

Several small businesses are celebrating grand openings, reopenings and anniversaries.

What's happening?

If you’re looking for what’s new and next in Downtown Fort Wayne, Broadway is the place to be. This Friday, May 2, marks the third anniversary of the Ruth Koomler Art Gallery, the first anniversaries of Gallery 02 and Kreative Framing, as well as the grand opening of the new Mae Z Husman Gallery and grand reopening of Sassy Cakes bakery – all within a few blocks. If that’s not enough, you might also check out the recently opened bar and restaurant, The Abstract, in the former Phoenix on Broadway, and the popular Good Bread for All bakery in the Canton Laundry building, which sells out of its vegan, gluten-free and Parisian-style bread and pastries many weekends. Be sure to attend First Fridays on Broadway, 5-8 p.m. at participating locations.

Here are a few quick things to know:

• The Abstract bar and restaurant opened in the former Phoenix on Broadway last weekend. Co-Owner Kyle Dager has a background in events management and says hosting public events is one of the main reasons he wanted to open The Abstract. “We’re going to have really good food and drinks, but our focus is going to be events, like trivia nights, live music and even a lecture series, like you might experience in New York or Chicago,” he says. “We’ll have professors who are experts in a variety of fields coming in to lecture, so you can come for an hour, grab a drink, and learn something.”
• The Mae Z Husman Gallery is opening next door to The Abstract on Friday, 5-8 p.m. Artist Maisie Husman serves as Creative Director for The Abstract, where she will be curating art for the bar and restaurant as well as her own gallery. She and Dager attended Snider High School together and recently reconnected over a mutual appreciation for her alternative, mixed-media and abstract art. (Hence, the name The Abstract.)
• Good Bread for All is celebrating its recent opening – and already selling out of many of its breads and pastries each weekend. Artist and baker Sarah Thompson started Good Bread as a mutual aid project during the pandemic. Since then, she’s grown it into a full-fledged business at local farmers markets and refined her recipes for Parisian pastries, inspired by her wife who is gluten-free and friends who are vegan. She opened her storefront in the Canton Laundry building on March 30 at 1016 Broadway, and many weekends so far, it's attracted a line out the door. Stop by on May 2 to try her mini pizzas.

Learn more, and get menu recommendations in our full story.

• Republican-led City Council says the state legislature has “crippled” their ability to assist vital services, like public transportation – and the Allen County Republican Party isn't speaking on it. Last week, several Council members, including President Russ Jehl (R-2), once again noted how state leaders have not heeded their warnings about slashing property taxes as part of Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which Gov. Mike Braun recently signed into law. Jehl says Council has “been in the room together with our state legislators” and attempted to explain how SB1 will drastically reduce funding for roads, schools and other city services. “I think it's important that the public understands that the state legislators have told us very clearly that they expect us to have less revenue and make very tough decisions financially and that we’re to have absolutely no excess funds,” Jehl said. “And we’re probably going to have to lay off people and have lesser pay raises than we should. That is by design from SB 1.” Members of the Allen County Republican Party did not respond to repeated requests for comment on SB1, and Party Chairman Steve Shine directed us back to Jehl. Last week, Council gave Citilink permission to spend down its rainy day fund, but Jehl warned leaders the city might not be able to assist with Citilink funding in the future if it's facing its own budget shortfalls. Citilink expects to have enough funding for the rest of this year,* pending no emergencies.
• Fort Wayne’s landfill in Southwest Fort Wayne is growing so large it might soon block public safety signals. Republic Services landfill at 6231 Macbeth Rd. (near Fox Island County Park) is reaching its limits of 1,000 feet tall. In 11 months between April 2024-March 2025, it grew 18 feet, reaching about 920 feet. Last week, Technical Director for Fort Wayne Communications Mike Reichard warned City Council that the landfill could start to block vital communication signals once it reaches 940 feet, so City and County councils moved swiftly to pass resolutions, redirecting the signals and splitting the total cost of about $3.8 million. Councilman Geoff Paddock called the height and growth of Fort Wayne’s landfill “disconcerting,” and Reichard noted: “There are no local zoning codes or ordinances for the landfill. The only restrictions that have set forth is by IDEM that landfill can actually grow to about 1,000 feet in height.”

Plus: Details on a last-minute state budget cut for public broadcasting, Mayor Sharon Tucker's first year, new trails and more. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

• Attend: Celestial Fest at Ambrosia Orchard on May 3, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. The all-ages music and art festival features bands Mike Neglia & The Nobles, Peachtree, Augmentasia, Wampus Milk Daddies, Sun.Dyle, Candid Antics, Man of the Flood, and Mudland. There will also be a Young Musicians Corner, vendors, and food trucks, as well as a quiet zone for guests with sensory needs. ($10 adults; Kids under 12 free.)
• Explore: LC Nature Park's Saturdays events, now through October 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including guided hikes hourly from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and safari bus tours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You might also check out Trillium Fest at LC Nature Park on May 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for a day of free nature exploration along trails blooming with trilliums and more.
• Tour: the Historic Swinney Homestead, open free to the public on May 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd. While you're there, shop the Settlers’ Annual Herb and Perennial Sale in the basement and on the back lawn (proceeds benefit the Homestead). 

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.

Support The Local!

Our independent news publication is run by just two locals, Kara and Mike. We are 99% funded by our paid members, and we'd like to keep it that way. If you've enjoyed reading our newsletter so far and have found value in the service we provide, we'd love to have you become a paid subscriber. Help us keep going by upgrading today, and receive our premium newsletter and perks!

Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett