Hey Locals,

Electric Works unexpectedly closed its anchor dining tenant, Chapman's Brewing, over the weekend, and campus leadership says a new restaurant group is moving in this fall. We fill you in on what to know in this week’s Above the Fold.

We also have primary election reflections coming your way on Thursday, and lots of food news and events in today’s newsletter. Plus, an update on last week’s report about a new homeless service center Downtown in Briefs.

Heads up: We’ll be at Bravas Fest and Eco Fest this weekend, so stop by our booth to say hello and share story tips or ideas.

Don’t forget: In May, we’re also partnering with Bravas to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free order of patatas with any burger purchase for dine-in, in honor of Bravas Fest. Details in today’s Local Spotlight!

Now let's get started.

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

Electric Works closes Chapman’s Brewing.

And other updates.

What's happening?

Last weekend, we received multiple reports that Chapman’s Brewing employees were (permanently) locked out of their space at Electric Works on Saturday morning without warning. A sign posted on campus said the space is: “temporarily closed as it undergoes renovations to reopen under an exciting new concept that will kick off this fall.” 

Chapman’s and Electric Works confirmed the closure yesterday, with Chapman's announcing the end of its 14-year business on social media, saying: “the financial burden of operating the business became too much to sustain.” Colliers Property Management group for campus also sent out a campus update on Monday morning, announcing a yet-to-be-named partnership with a “proven restaurant group,” as well as “two other restaurant concepts that will follow.”

The Crane Bar at Union Street Market, also formerly operated by Chapman’s Brewing’s leadership, has reopened with new operators. 

So what’s going on at Electric Works, and what’s next? This week, we’re working to get more details and will report back in Thursday’s newsletter – for paid subscribers only.

Bonus: We’ll also share some primary election reflections on Thursday. Stay tuned!

• Following our report last week, Downtown Fort Wayne ended its silence on a proposed location for a new homeless service center near the Rescue Mission. In a statement issued Friday, the group, which represents Downtown businesses and organizations, asked the city to “slow the process” to further evaluate the new center's proposed location and its impact on Downtown properties. In March, City Councilman Russ Jehl learned that the city had a pending purchase agreement for a building at 333 E. Washington Blvd. and asked Downtown Fort Wayne to weigh in on the location, noting that many Downtown businesses and stakeholders were concerned it might compound pre-existing challenges around the Rescue Mission. Jehl suggested hiring a real estate professional to suggest an ideal site.
• A new local coffee shop opened in the former Brooklyn Pints location at the Sheraton apartments in West Central Neighborhood. The Snail Cafe at 725 Union St. serves coffee and pastries and is working on a food menu to share soon, its Instagram says. (We recommend their focaccia and almond croissant!) The cafe’s co-owners, couple Josh Heckelsmiller and Emily Heins, also tell WANE 15 they’re working to secure permits to open an evening wine bar in their space. For now, hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Green Frog Inn is returning to the Henry family, with Cindy’s daughter, Elizabeth Henry-Guevara, as the new owner and operator.* The restaurant at 820 Spring St. has had a few owners since it was sold by Cindy Henry, wife of the late-Mayor Tom Henry, in 2023. First opening in 1933, the establishment was owned by the Henrys for 20 years. Henry-Guevara plans to bring back menu staples, like homemade ranch dressing, soups, and the frog burger (plus, Sunday brunch). “Nobody can run it as well as my mama, but I’m gonna try,” she tells The JG.*
• The Don Wood Foundation is investing $50 million to train the “next-generation workforce" and help Indiana manufacturers fill high-skilled, tech-focused jobs. The investment will take place within the next five years and be guided by a recent Purdue Fort Wayne study on Northeast Indiana’s manufacturing sector, which finds the sector is “central” to the region’s success, but facing "persistent challenges" in areas, like hiring. “The Don Wood Foundation will use the findings and recommendations to guide future grantmaking, convenings, communications, and partnerships, working alongside educators, manufacturers, workforce development support organizations, and economic developers to strengthen the alignment across the entire system,” The JG* reports.
• Fort Wayne Trails has given Northwest Allen County Schools $25K toward the construction of a sidewalk, connecting Maple Creek Middle School to Union Chapel Trail.* The 1.5-mile segment will be between Corbin and Auburn roads, connecting thousands of homes to the trail system. The first phase of the project will begin this summer from Corbin to Coldwater roads and is expected to be complete by September.

Meet us at Bravas Fest on Saturday!

What’s happening?

Bravas is celebrating its 15th Birthday on Saturday, May 16, with a free party near its restaurant at Packard Park from noon-7 p.m. The first 150 guests get free hot dogs, and there will be special menu items to purchase from Bravas, as well as Banh Mi Pho Shop’s food truck – and new sweets truck. The afternoon includes vendors, giveaways, games, family fun and live music by four local acts: Loveseat, Los Electro, Todd Harrold and Sankofa.

Meet us there! We have a booth at Bravas Fest from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, so stop by to say hello, and share your story ideas!

• Bike: to work on May 15 with the City of Fort Wayne in celebration of National Bike Month. Stop by The Porch Off Calhoun Downtown from 6:30-9:30 a.m. for a light breakfast with coffee and juices. 
• Shop: the new Little Scorpion Market on The Landing – a boutique and creative workspace with a flower bar, charm bar, and grab and go beverages, officially open May 13, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Dine: at Powers Hamburgers for National Slider Day on May 15, including a free slider with any $10 purchase and $0.86 fountain drinks.
• Get outside: with the Coffee Miles Run Club, meeting on May 16 at 9 a.m. at Conjure Coffee at 701 Columbia Ave.
• Jam: at Celestial Fest at Ambrosia Orchard on May 16-17, hosted by local band Sun.Dyle, with live music from 18 local bands, shopping vendors, and options to camp. 
• Learn: about reconstructing Fort Wayne’s industrial built history with local historian Karen Richards in the final installment of ARCH Inc.’s lecture series on May 16 at 1 p.m. in the West Studio of the Arts United Center.
• Listen: to performances by Fort Wayne Taiko drummers at the Cherry Blossom Festival on May 17, noon-6 p.m. at Purdue Fort Wayne, including an anime drawing contest, cosplay competition and more.
• Support: sustainability with us at Ecofest on May 17, noon-7 p.m., at Headwaters Park, featuring live music, vendors and food. We have a booth, so stop by to say hello! 
• View: The Fashion of Art Deco: Lifestyle in the Jazz Age, at Fort Wayne Museum of Art, open now through July 5.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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