Why Doesn't Fort Wayne Have Many Restaurants and Stores??? (Indianapolis: 2009, waterpark)

[wh15395]

I have just moved to Indianapolis from Fort Wayne and have been wondering why Fort Wayne has a lack of restaurants and stores compared to Indianapolis? I know Fort Wayne is much smaller than Indy, but it doesn't make sense that they don't have some of these things. Examples are Trader Joe's McAlister's Deli, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Macaroni Grill, White Castle, and IMAX movie theaters. Does anyone know why Fort Wayne does not have any of these things?

[Interpol76]

Because the vast majority of people that live in Fort Wayne either do their shopping at one of the like 10 Wal-Marts and Meijer, or Kroger to a lesser extent. Also, disgusting fast food and crappy chain returaunts (such as Applebees) are all the rage in in Fort Wayne too. There are a few nice resturaunts, but those are few and far between as compared to even cities half the size of Fort Wayne. There is a reason why Fort Wayne is always ranked as one of the top 5 fattest cities..........

[ShadowCaver]

Yeaa,,, rigggggght...

Ok - Ft Wayne does indeed have quite a few chain restaurants. However, IMHO there are MANY local excellent local places, including awesome taverns too, that serve excellent vittles, and in a wide variety of styles. Heck, downtown has almost forty [yes, 40!] some places to eat - yes including a few chains, but vast majority of these downtown places are local establishments: Downtown Improvement District -

For another listing: Restaurant Listing : leisure vacation, convention services - fort wayne convention & visitors bureau - which has these listed in three general areas... Downtown, Coliseum, and SW areas.

This one, not all inclusive [its missing a few], but still gives flavor for what is available:
Fort Wayne Restaurants - Find Restaurants in Fort Wayne and Read Unbiased Reviews - DiningGuide

And, many taverns, as mentioned, also have excellent [and even family friendly] food - such as Laycoff's, Black Dog, Gin Mill, Mid City Grill, Kaysans, etc., and in nearby New Haven there are: Rack 'n Helens and Trion for just two examples.

What of Big Eyed Fish, Club Soda, Cindy's Diner, Paula's, O'Sullivan's Italian Pub, Italian Connection, Opus 24, Flanagan's, Mad Anthony Brewing Co., etc.? Might also check out the Dining Out reviews from the Food column in the JournalGazette.net | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, Ind. - news, sports, business, Indiana, Ohio

As to Trader Joe's, as stated before, if want something, don't whine and complain, act and do something... Bring Trader Joe's to Fort Wayne NOW! | Facebook And here Tracking Trader Joe's: How to Contact Trader Joe's you will see this has been a long running campaign, and one that hopefully will have a positive ending sooner than later! But, realistically, look at this map Welcome to Trader Joe's - Your Neighborhood Grocery Store - Locations and you will see that many cities/towns, some significantly larger than Ft Wayne, do not have this store either.

Funny - wh15395, you state that there are no restaurants of worth in Ft Wayne, and then proceed to list some chain fair... and then Interpol76, you reply saying to effect that there are only a few local places, but vast majority of restaurants are chains. Seems to me that the OP is bemoaning the fact that their favorite chains are not here in Ft Wayne [while no evidence in the post giving all of these other places a fair shake],,, and then the first reply counters that, while still peeving on the city's restaurant selection but stating that its for the most part all chains. Seriously, sorry - not trying to defend the city, or pick on yas, but good grief - there is a great selection here, just open your eyes, explore, and try some new/different places.

PS: as to an IMax, yes that would be great... recall an article/newsblurb a couple years ago (?) where mayor and/or someother pols were stating that they were in favour too, but some snags here and there were roadblocks. IMHO, such would be excellent fit somewhere in the city - maybe even in the Harrison Square area? Again, start a letter writing campaign and/or something like the Trader Joe's facebook page... get the local/area support, show the movers and shakers that there would be enough participation/dollars to make such a prosperous, long term, business plan. BTW, here is a different article, more recent that speaks about the IMax, etc. http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pb...NEWS/907250329

[rrtechno]

Exactly right. You have to convince corporate headquarters that there is some benefit (financial) in it for them too, in order for them to locate in Ft. Wayne. They aren't just going to go there because they are "nice guys", especially in today's economy. Just remember though as you are "begging " the big guys (who currently have no local ties) to come to town, what effect, if any, will this have on the local folks who have worked for years or even generations to build a neighborhood?

[mbuszu]

Regarding restaurants, you have to be blind or oblivious (or both) to not notice the very large number of restaurants in Fort Wayne (local and chain). I don't know about Indy (never lived there), but I've lived in 17 other US cities including NYC and Fort Wayne is blessed with a massive number of places to eat at, most of which are pretty darned awesome. Forget the chain restaurants, the local restaurants mentioned above are all ones I'd recommend checking out.

Now regarding an IMAX. I've wanted one for years. Well guess what... there's a proposal on the table already to build one (and an indoor water park and a resort) downtown in Fort Wayne. It will be approved according to city insiders, but it will require some time to come to fruition due to the current economy. See the following links:
Waterpark Complex for OmniSource « North Fort Wayne River Development
and
Summit City Holding Corp

If you're new to Fort Wayne, I guess that's an excuse for you to not realize all the city has to offer, but give the city a chance before you start bashing it. For instance, rather than complaining about a lack of restaurants, why not make a post asking for restaurant suggestions? You'd be surprised how helpful others who have been here for a good length of time can be.

[Toxic Toast]

Trader Joe's is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overrated

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

Trader Joe's is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overrated

Shut your mouth! TJ's is awesome.

One of the most well regarded restaurants in Indiana, if not the country is located in Roanoke ... just outside FW ... Joseph Decuis.

[wh15395]

I was never saying that Fort Wayne has no restaurants that are good, in fact I love some of the restaurants in Fort Wayne like Paul's on Main Street. I was just pointing out the fact that many of the good chains unlike Applebee's are not in Fort Wayne. And by the way I lived in Fort Wayne for 15 years.

[fakie]

Being a newcomer to Fort Wayne, I've driven through downtown on random friday/saturday nights when i wanted to check out the "scene." I drove down calhoun, washington, harrison, wayne, and a few others and couldn't find a "hot spot" to check out. I barely saw people walking and I didn't see people through windows of the buildings as I slowly cruised around. What's a good intersection to walk down/around to get a good taste of Fort Wayne?

Don't say check out, "west central," cause I can't seem to find what people are talking about when they rave about it.

[MasterShake1]

So I am debating on moving to ft.wayne or indy which one.As far as everything goes work, place to live , etc...... is there a lot of opportunity? Just wondering