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Here’s an update on restaurant happenings in Warsaw:
• Contractors working on the future Texas RoadHouse on Ind. 15 and across from TJ Maxx have constructed much of the restaurant’s exterior and will likely open after the first of the year.
• Dunkin’, formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts, is constructing a new store at the corner of McKinley and Center streets next to Fire Station No. 2. It appears to be progressing at the same pace as Texas Roadhouse.
According to a post on the city of Warsaw’s Facebook page, the store will be the third "Next Gen" Dunkin' to open in the country. A phone call seeking details from the company on exactly what that means was not returned Friday.
• Oak and Alley opened the doors at its new store on Center and Roosevelt streets last month and has seen plenty of business so far.
• Patino’s Mexican Food filled the vacancy left by Stella’s Sub Pub in Center Lake Plaza. Owner Jose Vences said they opened about two months ago and that business has been good so far.
• Penguin Point’s new owners have made two significant changes since purchasing the chain last spring. The Warsaw-based company owned by the Stouder family was sold to a Tyler, Texas-based company, US Assets.
The new owner is testing a breakfast menu at its store on North Detroit St., and is offering an all-you-can eat fish fry on Fridays nights at all three Warsaw locations.
Headquarters for “The People Pleasing Place” will remain in Warsaw, and Dave Meier was promoted to CEO.
The chain has 13 restaurants in northern Indiana, but Chief Operating Officer Tracie Davis-Cox said they are seeking to grow and looking at some locations in Arkansas.
Editor's note: The above item was updated to clarify several issues.
Animal Stories – A few interesting tidbits surfaced Monday when Warsaw City Council debated whether to provide $50,000 to the Animal Welfare League for construction of its new facility.
The city eventually agreed to the request and Kosciusko County is pitching in $200,000. But what about the townships? Will they support the group?
AWL Executive Director Katey Wilks Zemen will find out in a few weeks. She said she plans to meet with township officials in Kosciusko County after the first of the year.
Animal Control Officer Justin Curtis provided the council with some statistics during a presentation Monday in support of Animal Welfare League’s request.
Overall, he had about 1,500 calls for service. Those calls resulted in more than 300 animals taken to AWL this year. That’s a conservative number, he said, because they base the number on incidents and not the exact number of animals taken to the shelter.
As an example, he pointed to a meth bust in which police confiscated 21 cats and three dogs. The owner later reclaimed his dogs and many of the cats, Curtis said.
On a related note, Curtis said that he’s noticed meth lab operators “for some reason” like to own snakes. He didn’t offer any other insights on that apparent trend.
Stately Gesture – State Rep. Tim Wesco, grieving over the loss of a brother who was recently killed in Africa, received a call from Vice President Mike Pence soon afterward offering his condolences.
Wesco wrote about the experience on his Facebook page after he and his wife were invited to meet the former Indiana governor in DC last week. “He invited us to join him in his limousine to drive back to the White House. It was a special time. May God bless Vice President Pence!” he wrote.
