It’s the end of an era in Columbia City. Owners of The Nook, 223 W. Van Buren St., went to social media to announce they were closing the downtown landmark.
Consider it a retirement for Dave Johnston. Heck, they’ve been serving Coney dogs, burgers, and pork tenderloins since 1971. The last day is July 6.
On Facebook, they noted, “Our focus for the next five weeks will be to celebrate memories and relationships we have made over the last 53 years.”
The post also teases to be watching for “fun specials and activities.”
Popcorn Stand raises funds
It’s just popcorn, but to the patrons of the Olde Tyme Popcorn Stand in Kendallville, it is a time machine to the nostalgia of life in the 1960s and ’70s.
At Main and Williams streets, the stand is a reproduction of a business that operated nearly 40 years ago and was revived in the sesquicentennial in 2013. The community loved it so much that it’s stuck around as a fundraiser for local nonprofit organizations. And there is no lack of interest from organizations and groups to staff the business.
It’s open 5-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday through Labor Day. You can also catch it at a few other events here and there.
Rune serving up ‘Breakfast for Dinner’
Rune Restaurant chef Sean Richardson will get nostalgic on Wednesday, June 12, when he hosts a one-time espresso pop-up with Conjure Coffee being served.
Richardson formerly helmed the kitchen at Conjure, and many of Rune’s employees also worked there. With that in mind, the pop-up will have a Breakfast for Dinner theme from 5-8 p.m. at the restaurant at 2725 Broadway.
Avocado toast will be on the menu with plenty of add-ons, like bacon lardons, pork carnitas, fried mushrooms, and eggs.
This will be a walk-in, counter-service event.
Distillery opens bottle shop at Quimby
Local distillery Hatfield & Sons has expanded to offer their creations to the public with a bottle shop at 1818 Bluffton Road in Quimby Village.
For now, the store in the space formerly occupied by The Salvation Army is open from 1-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Their gins and vodka are popular at several local watering holes, including Acme by Full Circle, Chops, Black Canyon, Mad Anthony Brewing Co., and The Public at 1802.
You can find their roster of spirits at Hatfieldandsons.com.
Arepiz shifts focus to food truck
Arepiz is hitting the road.
With the success of their Colombian arepas, they recently acquired a food truck.
As they get the truck ready to sell their wares throughout Indiana, they announced on Facebook that they have shut down their service in The Summit at 1025 W. Rudisill Blvd.
You can track their schedule on Facebook at arepizindiana.
Union 12 hosts something for chocolate lovers
It’s called Chocolate Fest.
On Sunday, June 23, chocoholics can take a one-day trip to paradise at Union 12, 7563 E. Lincolnway Road, near the Allen-Whitley county line.
Chocolate Fest will be a free showcase of the area’s best chocolate creations and creators from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Along with Chocolate Fest, Union 12 hosts weekly food truck nights on Wednesdays with live music and vendors. On June 12, they will have First Responder Night with music by Unlikely Alibi and food trucks from Junk Ditch, Isabel’s Tacos, WTFish, J2BBQ, and Cheeky Chick.
Food trucks, live music at teds beerhall
Speaking of food trucks, teds beerhall is also hosting them every Thursday from 5-9 p.m.
Swing by teds, 12628 Coldwater Road, each Thursday through Sept. 19 for food and live music at 6:30 p.m.
Their next night is Thursday, June 6, with music by Jordan Bridges and food trucks from Bravas, Junk Ditch, Who Cut the Cheese?, Cheeky Chick, Localvore, and Whip & Chill.
Basketcase will perform on Thursday, June 13, with food trucks Drop It Like It’s Tot, Who Cut the Cheese?, Fork & Fiddle, Smokin J’s, WTFish, and Taye’s Treats.
The nights are open to all ages.
You can find the full schedule of performers and food trucks at tedsbeerhall.com.
YLNI Farmers Market adds Wednesdays
YLNI Farmers Market begins their Wednesday Market began June 5 and will run through July 31, from 4-7 p.m.
The Wednesday Market will be under the awnings at the History Center, 302 E. Barr St.
Nab free RibFest tickets at Smokey Bones
In anticipation of BBQ RibFest at Headwaters Park from June 13-16, Smokey Bones in the Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center is giving out free passes.
The first 50 customers at the restaurant, 203 Apple Glen Blvd., on Thursday, June 6, and Friday, June 7, will be awarded passes to the popular festival.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
