Broadway businesses merging, updating
As business and property owners prepare for a Thursday meeting to discuss the future of the Broadway corridor, two landmark restaurants have struck a merger deal, and an international grocery store and microbrewery have improvement plans on the table.
About 4 p.m. Tuesday, owners of Chappell’s Seafood Market South, 2723 Broadway, and Hartley’s, 4301 Fairfield Ave., reached a merger agreement, according to Gary Chappell.
Discussions about a merger had been ongoing since early this year, Chappell said.
Many of the details still need to be worked out, with Chappell emphasizing that Hartley’s owner Pam Downs wants to meet existing obligations made to Hartley’s customers.
Eventually, the merger will take the best of both restaurants and put them into one at the Broadway location, Chappell said.
“We felt like by teaming ourselves together, … it was a win-win situation,” Chappell said.
Because the bar at the Chappell’s Broadway location is being moved to its new restaurant on Coldwater Road, Chappell said the Broadway restaurant will close in a few weeks.
The Broadway location will be extensively renovated, and changes may reflect the merger of the two restaurants, Chappell said.
“I know that Chappell’s will probably never look the same,” Chappell said.
Chappell doesn’t know when the restaurant will reopen. While Chappell’s is best known for its seafood, Chappell said Hartley’s is known for its lamb, veal and steaks, in addition to seafood.
“Between Chappell’s and Hartley’s, we feel confident that we can make something really unique in Fort Wayne,” Chappell said.
Chappell’s isn’t the only Broadway business to see change coming. Jerry Rongos, co-owner of George’s International Grocery, said he plans to improve the store’s facade at the shopping plaza at Broadway and Taylor Street.
Rongos said he would also like to eventually expand the store but that initial work will focus on beautifying the landscape and facade.
Mad Anthony Brewing Co. at Taylor and Broadway plans to add an outdoor seating area and facade work, according to Jeff Neels, co-owner and partner.
The patio will have seating for about 30 people. Representatives from the three businesses all said they were energized by word of the Broadway corridor improvements, as well as the potential business boost from the Harrison Square development.
On Thursday, property owners and tenants along Broadway will meet to talk about transforming the corridor into an eclectic, diverse, unified village.
Chappell said more details about the restaurant merger will be worked out before Thursday’s meeting.
bmanley@jg.net
Men followed him in little packs, looking for a chance to slip into his company and shake his hand or pat his back.