Hey Locals,

Many area leaders, including Fort Wayne’s Mayor Sharon Tucker, are pushing for the Summit City to welcome a new destination casino to town. But if it happens, it might be a bigger gamble than local leaders are betting on. We explain why in this week’s Above the Fold.

In Briefs, we talk about an odd new smoking ordinance proposed by City Council democrats and an informational meeting about the Google data center on Thursday that's likely to be highly attended. On the bright side, it's a good week to be a foodie in Fort Wayne! A new cafe Downtown is hosting a pop-up this weekend, and we have details.

Speaking of food: We have a new deal with Oyster Bar this month, celebrating its new menu – and first craft cocktail list – this year. In December, all paid subscribers to The Local get complimentary calamari with the purchase of any main dish during lunch hours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Find tips for your visit in our Local Spotlight!

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

Is a casino really what Fort Wayne needs?

We’re not convinced, but we don’t get a say!

What’s happening?

Northeast Indiana leaders are scrambling to set the stage for a casino to come to Allen County – and cutting the public out of the process. On Dec. 1, Mayor Sharon Tucker and Allen County’s three commissioners submitted a letter to state legislative leaders, proposing how they would split the economic benefits from a casino if it locates within the city or county. This follows House Bill 1038, seeking to add a 14th casino license in Indiana and create a competitive bidding process for it among casino owners. 

The problem? HB 1038 – which goes before the state legislature in January – doesn’t include a referendum for voters to approve having a casino here, “something that all other gambling communities have passed,” notes the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Some residents and casino industry leaders, including Matt Bell, President of Indiana’s Casino Association, say it’s a gamble with “tremendous uncertainty,” too.

We break down what to know in Thursday’s newsletter for paid subscribers only. 

• Representatives for the Google data center project are hosting a public informational meeting Downtown on Thursday night. The City and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. issued a press release yesterday, noting it will be informational only – not a public hearing. However, representatives from Google, Indiana Michigan Power and City Utilities will be on site to answer citizen questions, which can be submitted via smart phones or paper and pencil. The meeting will be held Dec. 11, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Grand Wayne Center's Anthony Wayne Ballroom.
• In odd news: City Council Democrats are pushing an exemption to the city’s smoking ban to allow cigar lounges. Last week, Council members Michelle Chambers (D-at large) and Rohli Booker (D-6th) proposed allowing cigar smoking indoors at “establishments that only allow those 21 and older to enter, do not sell cigarettes, do not generate more than 60% of their revenue from food and beverage sales and generate at least 20% of their income from cigar-related sales,” The JG* reports. Chambers says it’s “not about promoting smoking,” but would create “a very narrow, clearly defined pathway for adult-only, cigar-only establishments,” which would need to have HVAC systems to regulate secondhand smoke – unlike current retail tobacco stores (Rudy’s and Copper Canyon Tobacconist and Cigar Bar). Fellow council members gave preliminary support to the move, but say they need to check with regulating agencies, like the Health and Fire departments. 
• The City’s current phase of Riverfront construction (2B) is facing a “new challenge” with permitting that’s resulted in cutting an extension of the tree canopy trail and public docks. The Parks Department attributes the loss* to several state and federal agencies changing flood zone permits, which now makes these near-river developments unfeasible. The cuts reduce the budget for Phase 2B ($28.3M) by $7M-$8M, the City says. This phase still includes a pedestrian esplanade on the north bank of the St. Marys with cascading steps, accessible trails, a hammock grove, an accessible boulder mound and a north-lawn amphitheater with urban swings, to be completed in 2026. Last month, City Council approved cutting $3.8 million from Riverfront’s proposed Phase 3 of development, citing less revenue from property taxes due to Gov. Mike Braun’s Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SB1).
• Only months after state property tax reforms (SB1) took effect, drastic cuts are reshaping local school budgets. Last week, the Indiana Capital Chronicle* published a new anonymous statewide survey of 148 of the state’s 290 traditional public school corporations. It shows 95.3% expect the changes to crimp their funding in 2025, 99.3% expect trouble in future years across geography and school size and 56% have already reduced or will reduce teaching staff. “Indiana schools depend on local property taxes to fund essential services including custodial work, transportation, facility maintenance and bus purchases – areas where costs have risen sharply in the last decade,” the Chronicle notes. To manage, superintendents say “they’re postponing or canceling bus purchases, scaling back technology upgrades, holding off on building repairs, and in some cases, preparing for building closures” (like at South Wayne Elementary in Fort Wayne).
• Downtown Fort Wayne is selling curated Holiday Boxes for the locals in your life. You can buy premade boxes online, or build your own at the Visitors Center Downtown. Premade box themes include: Fort Wayne Flavors (dining), Outdoor Adventure, and Fort Wayne Fan. Downtown is also adding another Saturday of Holly Trolley Shopping on Dec. 20, due to last weekend’s snow.
• Allen County Commissioners approved a $200,000 grant for a faith-based opioid addiction treatment center* from the county’s unrestricted opioid settlement funds. The faith-based nonprofit Fort Wayne Adult and Teen Challenge says it has a 78% success rate across all its programs. It plans to spend $600,000 (including a $400,000 private sector match) to remodel a building at 2025 Olladale Dr. off West State into an extended stay residential men’s treatment center for about 25 men at a time, expected to open March 1. 
• The Consolidated Communication Partnership (CCP), Fort Wayne/Allen County 911 operations, has a new executive director after more than six months. Last week, the board approved Tim Allen to start in January, replacing previous CCP director David Bubb, who resigned in June after he was suspended a month prior for an undisclosed reason, WPTA 21 reports. Allen has been Director of Combined Dispatch for Huntington County since 2019.

New deal with Oyster Bar! 

Celebrating their new menu and first craft cocktail list.

What’s happening?

In December, we’re partnering with Oyster Bar at 1830 Calhoun St. to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free lunch calamari with any main dish during lunch hours, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you haven’t been to Oyster Bar in a while, it’s a great time to revisit, too. 

Fun story: I (Kara) am not typically a seafood person, so before this year, I hadn’t been to Oyster Bar since high school prom. But when I was invited to lunch there by a former colleague at The JG, I quickly fell in love with its cozy ambiance, friendly serving staff and Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich (maybe the best in town). I noticed some interesting new cocktails on the menu, too, and I was curious to know more about the team behind the magic. It turns out, this summer Oyster Bar unveiled its first new menu since 2007 – including its first craft cocktail list. And the holidays are the perfect time to enjoy it, and give visiting friends and family an “authentic Fort Wayne” experience. I sat down with co-owners Tony and Kara West and bartender Madison Maxwell to get pro tips for you.

Here are a few quick things to know:

• Chef Tony appreciates fresh, simple recipes that let the ingredients shine. New menu items include an Asian Rice Noodle Salad and a French Scallop Nantua (butter-seared diver scallops made with a rich cream sauce of crayfish bodies and served with grilled asparagus and arugula). There’s also a “Classics” section, including longtime features: Calamari and Louisiana BBQ Shrimp.
• Don’t like seafood? No problem. Kara says two of the most popular items on the menu are the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (lunch menu) and the Baby Back Ribs.
• Try more with half-and-halfs. Oyster Bar makes it easy to sample entrees with their unique half-and-half deals, where you can get half of two entrees for the price of one – plus a $2 tip for the kitchen. “You and a partner could try four entrees in one sitting,” Tony says.
• Snag a weekly deal. Monday is $2 small oysters and throwback beers. Tuesday is $4.50 hamburgers, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Thursday is lobster rolls – first-come, first-served. “They go quick!” Tony says.
• Check out summer Saturdays! Oyster Bar started sourcing more ingredients locally this summer and offering special Saturday menus, where Chef Tony and his team create one-day-only appetizers, entrees, desserts and cocktails – all using ingredients they purchased that morning at the YLNI Farmers Market Downtown.
• Special accommodations are welcome. Although Oyster Bar is not ADA-accessible (due to its historic building), it can accommodate wheelchairs, if guests call ahead, Tony says. The kitchen is also able to work around allergies or dietary restrictions – even to shellfish. Tony was a former chef for Parkview Health for 10 years.

See more menu and drinks recs in our full story here.

Visit: Kanela's new location in Southwest Fort Wayne, which held a soft opening yesterday at 9912 Illinois Rd., serving coffee, smoothies, fresh juices, Lotus energy drinks, and nutritious brunch options. Learn more in an interview with Owner Flora Barron here.

Check out: a Holiday Coffee Pop-up hosted by new cafe Snail (coming soon to the former Brooklyn Pints location in West Central). The pop-up will be at 1645 N. Wells St (across from Connolly’s Do it Best) on Dec. 13, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in partnership with McClish Service Company, Nick Brehany of Wonder State Coffee and Head 2 Hock (providing donuts).

Brunch: at Hideout 125 any Sunday in December for $5 brunch cocktails, espresso martinis and old-fashioneds with any purchase 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and $10 mimosa flights. (Reservations requested)

Learn: how to mix cocktails just in time for holiday parties with a Mixology Class at The Fairfield on Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m. in the Barrel Room, featuring expert bartenders and local spirits by Hatfield & Sons Distillery. ($55)

Laugh: at a Christmas Improv Show by Broken Pencil Improv at Cinema Center on Dec. 12 at 7:45 p.m., featuring 12 festive improv challenges. ($10/person or two for $17; rated PG-13)

Sing: your favorite holiday hits at a festive Karaoke Night at Birdie’s Rooftop on Dec. 12, 7-10 p.m., hosted by DJ Trend. 

Listen: to a cappella group Straight No Chaser’s Holiday Road Tour at The Embassy Theatre on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m., featuring "dad jokes" and songs of the season with a nod to the cult classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett