Local News

Waterfront Type Dining for La Porte

(La Porte, IN) - The door has opened for providing waterfront-type dining in La Porte. Plans for a 7,100 square-foot independently owned restaurant across from Pine Lake were given final approval Monday night by the La Porte City Council.

 

The multi-level restaurant with outdoor dining will go up on the former Thunderbird Lanes site at 1251 Pine Lake Ave.

 

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said the city and owner have worked together for the past six years on developing the parcel into something good for both sides, noting that a high percentage of local residents want more dining options in the city.

 

Cook also said that a restaurant aimed at bringing visitors from across the region to enjoy a meal close to the lake also reflects ongoing efforts to capitalize on the natural resources locally to draw more people here.

 

“This is without a doubt a destination location,” he said.

 

La Porte native Brandon Jones of Pine Lake Development, LLC is behind the restaurant planning to offer traditional American cuisine once construction is completed sometime in 2023. Jones is involved with other food-related operations such as Buffalo Wild Wings at the Pine Lake Shopping Center in La Porte.

 

Cook said the name of the restaurant has not been decided. In turn, the site is not on the shoreline.  However, it’s close enough that a waterfront atmosphere was drawn into the design of the structure.

 

“There will be unique aspects to the dining experience,” said Tony Oss, the project manager from Larson-Danielson Construction.

 

The council voted in favor of placing the site in an economic development zone for the project to be eligible for tax abatement. A 10-year tax abatement was approved a short time after for the estimated $4 million investment that could employ up to 65 people at some point in the coming years.

 

“The multi-level experience will have beautiful views of Pine Lake and the restaurant will be family-friendly,” Cook said.

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