INNOVATE INDIANA

MARQUEE PROJECT II | SECTION 6
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE REGION ENGAGED CURRENT TRENDS
SOUTH BEND BLUE WAYS. EAST BANK
VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Project 2 Plan. Armory Regional
Culinary Hub
A former National Guard Armory, the
century-old building across from the
Farmers Market previously served as one of
four recreation centers in the city. In need
of extensive repairs, it currently serves as a
storage facility.
This project includes conversion of the
vacant 20,551 square foot building into
a thriving urban mixed-use development
offering residential rentals and a regional
culinary hub. The Armory Lofts will redevelop
12,100 square foot into eight residential
rental units. The Armory Kitchen will
convert 8,443 square foot into a regional
culinary hub, centered around a shared
use commercial kitchen for use by food
entrepreneurs, acting as a commissary
for food truck operators (ordinance going
through city council currently) as well
as by entrepreneurs to make product
in bulk for distribution and who need a
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 could include a distillery with
a tasting room and classes and educational
facilities to serve related programs. The
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 region. A multipurpose space will
be available for tastings, meetings, training,
demonstrations and classes.
REGIONALCITIESOFNORTHERNINDIANA.ORG |
77
STATE OF THE REGION
& QUALITY OF PLACE
VISION & STRATEGY
PROJECTS
STAKEHOLDERS, EXECUTION
& STRUCTURAL CHANGES
BENCHMARKING
& MEASUREMENT
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT