INNOVATE INDIANA

Exhibit B-4
Project Ownership, Partners & Experience
(Project Type & Readiness)
Project #19 - Armory Kitchen + Lofts
Project Information
Project Contact
Project Description
Project Location
Project Category
Industry Alignment
Project Partners
Project Experience
44
Brad Emberton
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT | SECTION 19
Conversion of a vacant 20,551 SF building, which originally housed the South Bend Armory
and then a Community/Recreation Center for the South Bend Parks Department, into a
thriving urban mixed-use development offering residential rentals and a regional culinary
hub. The Armory Lofts will redevelop 12,100 SF into eight residential rental units (apx.
1,500 SF per unit renting for $1,150/month). The Armory Kitchen will convert 8,443 SF into
a regional culinary hub, centered around a shared commercial kitchen for 24/7 use by food
entrepreneurs, acting as a commissary for food truck operators (ordinance going through
city council currently) as well as entrepreneurs to make product in bulk for distribution and
need space to store, prepare, and process their products. This fully equipped workspace
will be open 24/7 and will rent private or shared space as needed to support entrepreneurs.
With booming demand for artisanal foods and drinks, shared kitchens can help
entrepreneurs get into a licensed kitchen and start a business at a fraction of the traditional
start up costs. Armory Kitchen will also provide a collaborative environment, connecting
"foodpreneurs" to each other and to business support and technical assistance with
branding, sales and distribution. Additional components to this food hub include a distillery
with a tasting room and classes, educational components including a micro vertical farm
supplying fresh produce to the distillery and the kitchen. The distillery will be in partnership
with an existing successful brand new to the South Bend market. Armory Kitchen will
cultivate the kind of food businesses the community wants, through its alumni businesses
opening their own brick-and-mortar establishments and adding to the vibrant culinary
experience in cities across the Michiana region. A multipurpose space will be available for
tastings, meetings, training, demonstrations and classes.
727 South Eddy Street, South Bend, IN 46615
St. Joseph County
East Bank Village of Downtown South Bend, at the Intersection of Eddy St. and Northside
Boulevard.
The building is adjacent to the St. Joseph River offering great views and immediate access
to the River walk, Howard Park and Downtown South Bend.
Redevelopment of physical assets (e.g., blighted assets, infill, etc.)
Culinary Arts (Food entrepreneurship), Spirit distillery and vertical farming) Commercial
Kitchen supports the restaurant industry, particularly entrepreneurs and food truck service
Emberton Development (Private Developer)
City of South Bend (Owns building, in process of securing appraisal and selling the building)
Terra Spice, Philip Abbot
Distillery
University Partner (i.e. Ivy Tech or IUSB)
Food Truck Entrepreneur(s)
Consultant for Vertical Farming
Kitchen Sponsor/ consultant
Redevelopment of 3 story, 6,000 SF vacant blighted building into four residential lofts and a
2,000 SF ground level café.
Own nine commercial/multifamily properties across the Michiana region (Benton Harbor,
Harbert, Niles, South Bend & Mishawaka)
15 years commercial real estate experience (leasing, management and development)
Ivy Tech Culinary School coursework and restaurant ownership and operation experience
20 years business ownership and operation experience
19_SJC_Armory Kitchen & Lofts
REGIONALCITIESOFNORTHERNINDIANA.ORG |
268
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE REGION ENGAGED CURRENT TRENDS
STATE OF THE REGION
& QUALITY OF PLACE
VISION & STRATEGY PROJECTS
STAKEHOLDERS, EXECUTION
& STRUCTURAL CHANGES
BENCHMARKING
& MEASUREMENT
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT