WINONA LAKE – More than a year after a decision by the Winona Lake Town Council allowed alcohol to be served at restaurants in town, Boathouse is showing how beneficial it is to business.
Owners Peter Christos and Kyle Phelps broke ground on a new bar in the restaurant Feb. 1 and had a soft opening May 1.
Four new doors were added to bring in natural light and a view of Winona Lake.
“The response has been wonderful,” said Christos. “We’re seeing regulars more often and we’re seeing a lot of new faces, too.”
The bar area can hold up to 75 comfortably with a wide-open concept.
The bar features various beer, wine and high-end liquors. That includes a small-batch bourbon called Pappy Van Winkle.
Christos said having a bar compliments people’s dinners and the bar fills a void in the community.
The owners were going for an aesthetic of a bar at a high-end hotel in a metropolitan area mixed with a pub-style feel.
The bar itself is all black walnut and was built in Chicago.
It was then torn down to be shipped to Winona Lake and then rebuilt.
The rest of the construction, said Christos, is from Winona Lake Restoration.
The bar also features a late-night menu with items like steak, burgers and nachos.
The bar and restaurant have no concrete closing times.
Boathouse is open until at least 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dealt with the responsibility, along with Cerulean, of serving liquor in Winona Lake is one Christos said he takes seriously.
He and Phelps close down the bar every night and are vigilant about making sure people have a good time but also are responsible.
“We want to make sure the responsibility the community has entrusted in us is followed through,” said Christos.
Christos said that the exact economic impact of the bar can’t yet be quantified due to how long the bar has been open and factoring in first-time costs.
“The preliminary numbers have been strong,” said Christos. “And that’s been mainly through word of mouth. We purposely haven’t done any advertising yet.”
Not only has the bar benefitted the business’s bottom line but it has also helped the wait staff earn more money.
The building of the bar also added seven new jobs.
And the expansion isn’t done yet.
Christos said next year they plan on expanding and creating an outdoor patio area to compliment the bar.
Dr. Dane Miller was credited for his role as landlord that allowed projects like the bar to take place without any interference.
“Having a landlord that has been such an ally and allows us to conduct business efficiently is a gift,” said Christos. “We’re not only fortunate to have him as a landlord but as a community partner as well.”
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
