Mass Ave might get even buzzier. A mile of Mass Ave might become a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA for short) if its merchants association agrees on the move. The IBJ reports that if the plan makes it through the approval process, the street would allow “people 21 and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from designated bars, restaurants and vendors and carry them outside or into certain participating businesses” between New York Street and the Interstate 65/70 overpass from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. If the proposal is adopted, it would be the first DORA in Indy; there are 20 and counting in surrounding communities.
Fires damaged two of the region’s restaurants this week. A fire in downtown Rushville destroyed The Corner Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch destination that’s served diners from 50 N. Main St. since the 1980s, Fox 59 reports. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. It follows a Monday fire at Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant (5910 W. 86th St., 317-735-2110) that left the business with enough water damage to spur a temporary closure, WTHR reports.
The Saint Shack is going NoLa. Since 2021, the Saint Shack (250 S. Meridian St.) has been the hot dog–slinging sister business to New Orleans themed club The Patron Saint. Now their interests are aligning, as the Shack just pivoted beyond its lauded dogs to a menu of Cajun and Louisiana faves such as jambalaya, po’boys, and beignets. The spot joins a competitive market, between ubiquitous Creole chain Yat’s and local institutions such as Zydeco’s, Chef Borel’s Kitchen, and so many others, but in my opinion, there’s always room for more beignets.
This week saw three new openings in Indy and Carmel:
• Downtown soup spot Subito has expanded to The AMP. The 34 N. Delaware St. lunch stop moved into a neighboring former bail bonds shop over the summer, transitioning from takeout-only to dine-in, while a satellite location at 1220 Waterway Blvd. opened Tuesday with a menu of sandwiches made with house-baked bread and a solid selection of salads.
• As we teased last month, pickleball country club Pickle on Penn (11575 N. Pennsylvania St., Carmel) just opened its in-house restaurant, The Kitchen. You have to be a member to pick up a paddle at the spot, but its dining venue is open to all.
• Finally, Nora roaster Illumine Coffee has quietly opened its downtown Indy location at 11 S. Meridian St. An official grand opening is planned for Friday, September 13, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Three upcoming closings to note:
• Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro will shut down on September 21, it announced in a statement. The restaurant has operated inside the Conrad hotel (50 W. Washington St.) for 15 years but was independently owned by local resident Ross Bailey. The hotel will not seek a new tenant when Tastings departs, the IBJ reports, opting instead to “take over the 3,500-square-foot space.”
• Evansville’s popular Myriad Brewing Company is closing its location at 101 S.E. 1st St. on September 21, 44News reports. A longtime bartender at the business will open a new spot, called The Industry Bar, at the same address.
• Four Finger Distillery will shutter its Fletcher Place outpost (636 Virginia Ave., 317-804-5675) in January, it announced via Instagram. “The building’s owners have chosen a new path for the space, and while this decision wasn’t ours, we know that our journey together is far from over,” its owners write.
Finally, two to look forward to:
• Natural wine bar Solely Wine now has a sign and a gorgeous mural (by Megan Jefferson) at its 1102 E. 16th St. building. Can a grand opening be far behind? Their number, when they open, will be 770-617-6118.
• Hawaii-inspired doughnut shop Mochi Joy has long operated via pop-up and out of Noblesville’s VFW post at 54 S. 9th St. Its owners announced on Instagram this week that they are in mid-buildout for a permanent location in Fishers. A little bit of sleuthing suggests the shop is in the Centre North strip mall at 8600 E. 96th St., opening date is TBA.
