Hey Locals,

If you've watched Downtown's growth in recent years, you might have noticed a trend: mixed-use developments with first-floor retail continue to dominate project pitches; meanwhile, many (existing) retail spaces at Downtown buildings remain vacant (or transient). We explore why in this week's Thursday newsletter, diving into the state of retail Downtown.

In today's newsletter, we update you on the latest in disputes between the fire department union and the fire chief/City (involving discrimination lawsuits). We also fill you in on a new restaurant coming to West Main Street by a local chef, and we answer a reader's question on how to find (or make) some of the city's best vegan eats.

This month: Our newsletter is brought to you by Olde Oak Tree Furniture & Design, celebrating its 24th anniversary in July with 25% off its locally crafted Amish-built furniture – available in chic, modern and fully customizable styles. Learn more here.

Don't forget: Now through Aug. 8, we're partnering with Rune restaurant to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a special BOGO deal on their house-made pasta dishes (dine-in only). Learn how to claim the offer here.

Now, let's get started!

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

What’s the state of Downtown retail?

And why is more retail planned when existing spaces remain vacant – or transient?

What's happening?

After less than a year of operating in a prime retail spot on Main Street (near Coney Island), Tiny Little Donuts announced on Facebook last week that it would be closing its Downtown location. What's more: a deleted post by the small business cited a lack of “retail traffic to sustain operations” as an impetus for closing Downtown, WANE 15 reports.

So what’s the state of retail Downtown? And if it’s struggling, why are so many new mixed-use buildings adding thousands of more square feet of retail to the area?

We dive into the question in our Thursday newsletter.

• Discrimination lawsuits are drawing attention to ongoing disputes between the fire union and the City/Chief Lahey. In June, the union called on Lahey to resign, saying more than 95% of 301 firefighters surveyed voted “no confidence” in his leadership. Last week, several news organizations detailed an ongoing federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. WPTA 21 noted there have been other such lawsuits during Lahey’s 10-year tenure, including one filed by decorated fire veteran Elbert Starks in 2018, alleging discrimination (re: race and disability). Two female firefighters filed separate gender discrimination lawsuits against the department/City in 2016 and 2021 – recruit Victoria Bolden and firefighter Holly Volz, respectively. The Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission found both cases to have merit.
• Swinney Park’s 127-year-old Mechanic Street Bridge reopened last week after closing 11 years ago for restoration. City Parks officials say the nearly $1.3 million bridge restoration project “exceeded expectations”* and provides a vital connection for residents across the river. A news release says the bridge is “a rare example of a pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge built specifically for pedestrians,” and “its 180-foot span and narrow width make it especially unique.” 
• Papi’s Pizza is leaving its space on The Landing and moving to a new multi-concept “culinary hub” by Te Gustó Hospitality (Mercado, Ducky’s, Spoke & Ivy) in the former 3 Rivers Distilling location. The JG* reports that the new location, called The Compound, will house several concepts, starting with Papi’s Pizza and a new full-service, Texas-inspired Brixton BBQ restaurant focused on smoked meats and creative sides. It will also provide space for Te Gusto’s commissary kitchen (where it makes breads, desserts and syrups for its restaurants), as well as a new event venue called The Smyth, featuring the former 3 Rivers Distilling patio. The Landing is still seeking a new tenant for Papi’s location.
• A new restaurant called Bridgeport is opening soon at 1419 W. Main St., offering views of the recently renovated Mechanic Street Bridge. Bridgeport is the first restaurant by Fort Wayne’s Chef Marcus Daniel, formerly of Joseph Decuis and New York City's Michelin-starred Breslin Bar & Dining Room. Bridgeport is near Redwood Inn and Spoke & Ivy, and it pays homage to Daniel’s Chicago roots, featuring regionally sourced ingredients. Guests can get an exclusive first taste of its menu this week at a limited-seating curated dinner and parking lot after party. (Details in our To-Do List.)
• Federal and state funding cuts to PBS Fort Wayne and 89.1 WBOI may affect the Allen County Public Library’s Audio Reading Service for residents with vision impairments. Following our write-up on the cuts last week, we received an email from a library employee who explained that volunteers for the program read and broadcast local news, including area newspapers like The Journal Gazette and national print publications, to make print journalism accessible to the elderly and people with vision impairments. These readings are broadcast via TV (channel 39.6) and radio (WBOI HD2). The email says cuts to these partner stations could result in increased costs for the library or “less access to these news sources for our disabled neighbors.” 
• The Community Foundation updated its dashboard, providing a snapshot of local progress in five key areas from racial equity to greenspace and crime. Community Foundation officials tell The JG the dashboard reflects both areas where Allen County is improving and areas that need more attention. It has been used by some organizations to write grant proposals. A few quick data points: the average cost of a home in Allen County in 2023 ($227,000) exceeded (by $67,000) what a median-income renter can afford; 33% of Allen County residents held a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2023 (up from 29% in 2018); Fort Wayne is in the bottom third of 150 major metros on the National Racial Equity Index; 87% of Allen County residents say they can easily access park spaces near where they live; and the population-to-primary care physician ratio is 1,354-to-1, “reflecting improved access to care over the past five years,” The JG reports.
• The Fort Wayne Zoo shared photos of an adorable new male clouded leopard cub born last month. The Zoo hasn’t named the cub yet, and plans to keep the community updated on his growth via social media.

Q&A with Rune’s Chef Sean Richardson:

Where can you find plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan dishes in Fort Wayne?

Recently, we received a reader email seeking suggestions on plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan dishes at Fort Wayne restaurants, and/or ways to incorporate more vegan foods into cooking at home.

We (at The Local) turned this over to our partner in food blogging, Chef Sean Richardson of Rune, who offered a few quick suggestions:

• Explore: Visit Fort Wayne’s guide to some of the city’s best vegan-friendly restaurants. “I can’t resist the vegetarian bahn mi and the vegetarian fried rice at Bahn Mi Pho Shop,” Richardson says. “If you like it spicy, it is a really good idea to have them slather on this lemongrass and chili paste they make.”
• At Rune: Richardson offers “two rippin' vegetarian entrees” right now, including Tagliatelle with fennel frond pesto and roasted carrots with carrot top curry (inspired by produce at local farms like Hawkins and Berry Hill). “Usually, the fronds, and/or carrot tops are discarded, composted, or left to wither away. But we use them in place of other fresh herbs (in these dishes),” Richardson says. “It’s a way to maximize what we get from the farmers, and it makes the dishes more interesting to eat.”
• For home cooking: Richardson recommends the year-round Saturday Farmers Market at Electric Works as his “gold standard” for shopping local. Northeast Indiana Local Food Network also has a list of local farms and markets. “When I’m at home, I love to make vegetable curries,” Richardson says. “It is easy to highlight something starchy like a sweet potato, or keep it lighter with a mix of beans, peas, corn – or literally whatever is in season. Use olive oil and coconut milk, curry powder, and whatever pre-made curry paste you prefer. It comes together quickly, is hearty, flavorful, and can stretch into a few meals. Be sure to always have fresh limes on hand, and go hard with the lime juice. More acid!”
• For further reading: He recommends two James Beard Award-winning books: 1) Heritage by Chef Sean Brock, featuring recipes from his Appalachian roots. “While it’s not exclusive to vegetarian recipes, you’ll turn to it time and again,” Richardson says. 2) “For those of you who have jumped into the vegan waters feet-first, vegan chef and activist Bryan Terry is a must for your cookbook collection, including his 2020 classic, Vegetable Kingdom.”

Read more of Richardson’s writing on his Substack.

Got a Fort Wayne food question? Send it our way at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

• Discuss: youth violence in Fort Wayne during a community forum hosted by Mayor Sharon Tucker on July 30, 6-7:30 p.m., on Lower Level 2 at the Downtown ACPL. (Free with registration.) The City's Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Andrew Downs, will moderate the discussion with FWPD Chief Scott Caudill and community advocates Roderick Parker of Big Hearts Community Projects and Foundation One of Unity Barber Shop.
• Preview: an exclusive first taste of Bridgeport by Chef Marcus Daniel on Aug. 1, 1419 W. Main St. Tickets start at $10 for a parking lot party at 8 p.m. with food and drinks by Bridgeport and music by DJ J. Tubbs. Or for $75/person, you can attend a limited-seating dining experience (under a tent) starting at 6:30 p.m., including a curated dinner, two complementary drinks and VIP Bridgeport swag.
• Dance: with a free Kpop Rave at a Late Night event hosted by Dae Gee Korean BBQ on Aug. 2, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. DJ Costella will be spinning the hottest k-pop beats for attendees (ages 21+). Finger foods + a full cash bar will be provided. 
• Brunch: at Spoke & Ivy’s Cafeton event on Aug. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring music by DJ J. Tubbs. (21+, $5 admission)
• Celebrate: Back to School Night at SnoBalls Hawaiian Shaved Ice* at 4526 Maplecrest Rd. on Aug. 2, 4-8 p.m. The event includes food truck and shaved ice deals, free school supplies for students (while supplies last), and free haircuts by Dream Stylz Barbershop. 
• Dine: at Rune’s Tasting Dinner on July 30, featuring produce raised by Hawkins Family Farm, as part of  Northeast Indiana Local Food Week. ($118/ticket)
• Taste: wine at Antonuccio’s Italian Market’s extended Thursday hours, 5-7 p.m., with deli selections 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Swap: out an old coffee mug for a new favorite at Tall Rabbit Cafe’s new take one, leave one mug wall. 
• Listen: to live music at The Fairfield's Barrel Room on Aug. 1, 7-9 p.m., featuring the band No Outlet. ($10)
• Shop: art at Ruth Koomler Gallery during the Broadway Corridor’s First Fridays event, on Aug. 1, 5-8 p.m., and (again) on Aug. 2, 1-3 p.m., when young artists (under age 16) will be selling paintings, drawings, clay works and more in the parking lot under tents.
• Check out: several annual festivals this weekend: Huntertown Heritage Days on July 31-Aug. 3, Botanical Roots Music Festival at the Botanical Conservatory Aug 1-2, Dragon Boat Races at Promenade Park on Aug. 1-2, the Harvester Homecoming Festival Aug. 1-2, and Tacos, Tequila & Margarita Fest on Aug. 2.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett