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Come to Indianapolis!
New to the site, but already love it. I just wanted to put in a little plug for the MidWest and Indianapolis. Our housing market is only down about 10% right now, in comparrison to the 50-60% slump surrounding cities such as Detroit and Chicago are in. That means consumers are still spending their disposable income on fine dining in Indianapolis. However, this market severely lacks the options and choices that most cities in the top 15 markets have. In particularly the high-end and health conscious concepts. (i.e. Ethnic Steakhouses, Seafood, Juice and/or yogurt stores, high-end deli's)
Indianapolis is stuck on the "sports bar" craze, but primed for the next "new" restaurant to change the way we look at fine dining. There is a perception of little money in the Indianapolis market, but let's not forget that $100,000/year income goes A LOT farther in this city than in other midwestern cities. Not to mention, how much of the Indy consumers money is disposable due to lack of "big city expenses."
I just want to get some input from an outsiders point of view on the hesitations owners look at when considering Indianapolis as the next big location for their restaurant? I would encourage all of the restaurantuers out there to seriously consider the Indianapolis market. There is no better time than now to enter the MidWest, while the market is taking a severe hit on both coasts. Thanks.
Indianapolis is stuck on the "sports bar" craze, but primed for the next "new" restaurant to change the way we look at fine dining. There is a perception of little money in the Indianapolis market, but let's not forget that $100,000/year income goes A LOT farther in this city than in other midwestern cities. Not to mention, how much of the Indy consumers money is disposable due to lack of "big city expenses."
I just want to get some input from an outsiders point of view on the hesitations owners look at when considering Indianapolis as the next big location for their restaurant? I would encourage all of the restaurantuers out there to seriously consider the Indianapolis market. There is no better time than now to enter the MidWest, while the market is taking a severe hit on both coasts. Thanks.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt Urdan on -
I actually lived in Anderson, IN for a year, and I've kind of kept in touch in what is going on in the city. The Castleton, Carmel, Noblesville area still seems to be booming, and there are a lot of great restaurants in Castleton. A few nice ones downtown as well in the Circle Mall and environs.
But you know, no knocks on you or the town, as a native Michigander who grew up spending time off on the Great Lakes, and now a whitewater enthusiast, there's no way I would ever relocate back to Indiana. Indy IS a great town. But it doesn't have the recreational opportunities other areas of the country do.
Cheers!
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Permalink Reply by Jake Johnson on -
Your point is very true. Recreation is not something we do well in Indianapolis, which is why most of our disposable time is spend in bars, restaurants, malls, and movie theatres. There are some great restaurants in Indianapolis, just not a variety of different "niche" eateries.
Castleton/Keystone/ and the I-69 corridor are booming in population and retail, and the restauants just aren't keeping up. They think to get noticed they need to be downtown, but all the money is in the Geist and Fishers areas.
Appreciate the input!
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Permalink Reply by Matt Urdan on
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Very true, and it's my pleasure. Actually, the number one selling point of Indy to me was the location of my gym--Lifetime Fitness in Castleton. It was easy to transfer membership from Detroit to Castleton. Best gyms in the country.
Cheers!
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