Franciscan Health’s Mobile Markets will provide nutritious meals to the public at its hospitals in Hammond and Crown Point.
The Franciscan Health Foundation and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana team up to bring the trucks filled with healthy food that can be picked up by residents and families in need as a way of combating food insecurity in the community.
A mobile market will take place at 3 p.m. July 19 in the hospital parking lot near the helicopter pad at Franciscan Health Crown Point at 1201 S. Main St. Another mobile market will take place at 3 p.m. July 27 at Franciscan Health Hammond at 5454 Hohman Ave.
The truck will be parked in the parking lot across the street from the hospital next to the Centier Bank branch on Hohman Avenue.
“Provided in partnership with Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, each mobile market truck offers participants a selection of free grains, fruits, vegetables and protein,” Franciscan Health said in a press release. “Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies are gone. Recipients must show valid proof of Indiana residency.”
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Franciscan Health’s Mobile Markets are drive-through only. The health care system asks people not to arrive before 2:30 p.m. on any of the pickup dates.
Anyone interested in donating to fight food insecurity in Northwest Indiana can call 219-661-3401 or visit FranciscanHealthFoundation.org.
For more information, visit foodbanknwi.org.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
Open
A new sushi restaurant has rolled into Dyer.
Den Asian Bistro opened Wednesday. The new restaurant is serving authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the former Bin 27 Grille space in the Galleria Buildings on U.S. 30.
The restaurant at 275 Joliet St. specializes in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean. Owner Kevin Goa describes it as Asian fusion.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Indoor-outdoor space’ with fountain
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Expansive menu’
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
Joseph S. Pete
Full sushi bar
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
The house roll, the Den Roulette, consists of shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallop, tobiko, tempura crunch and scallion. The twist is it includes a spicy mystery piece and the person who gets it must take a shot of sake from the plate.
Joseph S. Pete
Full bar
“We created it ourselves,” he said. “Our sushi chef did. One piece of the roll has a special flavor.”
The full bar includes sake, wine, cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and imported Asian beer.
Joseph S. Pete
Indoor and outdoor seating
Den Asian Bistro sits about 60 people in its 3,000-square-foot space. It also has an outdoor patio.
“There’s outdoor seating by a water fountain,” he said. “There’s a bar and family dining. There’s a section where we can open the roof. It’s what we call indoor outdoor dining.”
Joseph S. Pete
Right by the state line
The restaurant employs about a dozen people. Gao expects it to draw from both Indiana and Illinois since it’s so close to the border. He’s hoping eventually to open a few more locations in Northwest Indiana.
He describes it as fine dining without high-end prices.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Den Asian Bistro will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit denasianbistro.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Encore Car Wash is coming soon to Hammond.
The car wash will be located next to the new Culver’s near the Cabela’s and Super Walmart southwest of the Indianapolis Boulevard exit on Interstate 80/94.
Encore Car Wash is a chain that opened its first location at 16340 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield and plans to open in Hammond this fall. It will expand to Westmont and Oak Lawn next year.
“At Encore, we want to change the way you think when you think about a car wash. With a return to good old-fashioned service and all of the most modern technology,” the business said on its website. “From our beautiful washes — featuring reclaimed brick from historic buildings in the city of Chicago and exterior murals by various artists — to our state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make every trip to Encore worth your while. And then some.”
For more information, visit encorecarwash.com or email [email protected].
Joseph S. Pete
Pop-up
The Bankquet in downtown Griffith opened a pop-up restaurant on its outdoor patio this summer.
The banquet hall occupies a historic bank building at 101 E. Main St. in Griffith. It hosts weddings, other special events and performances.
The pop-up restaurant offers al fresco dining for dinner and Sunday brunch. The hours and menu vary from week to week. It’s served brioche French toast, salads, pizza, charcuterie, farm-raised pulled pork and small plates like spiced corn fritter, baked artisan brie fondue and chicken wings.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
The Bankquet’s pop-up restaurant also has featured live performances from acoustic singer-songwriters.
For more information, call 219-313-2051 or find The Bankquet on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Spenga will soon offer spin, strength and yoga in Valparaiso.
A Spenga Fitness Center is opening for business soon at 91 Silhavy Road in Valparaiso Walk, where it is now taking membership presales.
The Homer Glen-based company aims to “deliver cardiovascular strength and flexibility training through a combination of spin, strength and yoga workouts.” Founded in 2015, Inc. magazine ranked it as the 43rd fastest-growing privately owned franchise in the Midwest.
The fitness chain has five locations in Chicagoland. The Valparaiso location is just the second in Indiana after Carmel.
It offers 60-minute workouts that put equal emphasis on cardio, strength and flexibility to attain a high caloric burn and “maximize your results without breaking down your body.”
Encouraging members to work smarter not harder, Spenga employs instructors who personalize every workout. It has a 20-20-20 format in which gym-goers complete one segment and move on to the next one.
Workouts include spinning, strength training and medicine balls. It offers multisensory experiences with aromatherapy and DJ-inspired playlists filled with energizing tracks.
The gym’s current presale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday but it will be open longer when it opens for business this fall.
For more information, call 219-767-9375.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Potato Express has found a permanent home in downtown Hammond.
The restaurant specializing in loaded potatoes first opened in the Hammond Development Corp.’s pop-up cafe space in the former Blue Room Cafe in downtown Hammond.
It now has a permanent home in the former Philly Steaks and Fresh Lemonade at 5252 Hohman Ave.
Joseph S. Pete
Potato-themed menu
The menu includes many specialty spuds topped with pot roast, jerk chicken, Italian beef, alfredo and taco meat as well as toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, chicken and steak. The hearty breakfast potato is topped with sausage, turkey ham, hash browns, sausage gravy and egg.
It also has soul bowls, a Thanksgiving Overload feast and sides like greens, mac and cheese, broccoli and red beans and rice.
If you crave even more potatoes, you can get a side of fries, cheese fries, loaded fries or mashed potatoes to go along with your loaded potato.
Joseph S. Pete
All your potato needs
Potato Express offers dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub.
Catering to the work crowd in downtown Hammond, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 219-545-5735 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closing
Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster is shuttering after four years.
Named after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin,” the boutique gift shop sold handcrafted goods from more than 50 vendors. While it mainly stocked the work of local artisans like Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, it also carried products from as far away as Kenya.
“Thanks be to God for the past four years of ‘Considering the Lilies’ and all his goodness and blessing. We announce with bittersweet emotions that our little shop will be closing. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind as we were approached to sell our property for a new incoming development. After prayer, advice and confirmation, we decided it was best to do so.”
A liquidation sale started Friday, with everything initially marked down by 50%. The store stocks a variety of goods from vendors like Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts and Bird and Bear Dolls.
Joseph S. Pete
Liquidation sale
“Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to all of you for your support and friendship through these years,” the owners posted on Facebook. “A special thank you to all the artisans who made my shop all that it could be with your beautiful handcrafted goods. Thank you, also, to my incredible staff in Jen, Darla, Alex, Mara and Diane and my sisters’ cheerleading along the way. Such an amazing gift. Thank you to my family, hubby, kids grandkids, parents, siblings and dear friends for loads of help, affirmation and encouragement continuously through it all.”
Munster resident Julie Kapteyn opened the business out of a love pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market and a wish there was a permanent brick-and-mortar place she could go to buy handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, handbags candles and leather journals.
She expressed gratitude to all her customers over the years.
“Last but not least, thank you to all the beautiful people of this community and beyond who chose to shop local or small, support local artisans and give me the privilege of serving you in this way,” the business posted on Facebook. “You have blessed me beyond words and may our friendship live on.”
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
Open
A new sushi restaurant has rolled into Dyer.
Den Asian Bistro opened Wednesday. The new restaurant is serving authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the former Bin 27 Grille space in the Galleria Buildings on U.S. 30.
The restaurant at 275 Joliet St. specializes in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean. Owner Kevin Goa describes it as Asian fusion.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Indoor-outdoor space’ with fountain
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Expansive menu’
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
Joseph S. Pete
Full sushi bar
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
The house roll, the Den Roulette, consists of shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallop, tobiko, tempura crunch and scallion. The twist is it includes a spicy mystery piece and the person who gets it must take a shot of sake from the plate.
Joseph S. Pete
Full bar
“We created it ourselves,” he said. “Our sushi chef did. One piece of the roll has a special flavor.”
The full bar includes sake, wine, cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and imported Asian beer.
Joseph S. Pete
Indoor and outdoor seating
Den Asian Bistro sits about 60 people in its 3,000-square-foot space. It also has an outdoor patio.
“There’s outdoor seating by a water fountain,” he said. “There’s a bar and family dining. There’s a section where we can open the roof. It’s what we call indoor outdoor dining.”
Joseph S. Pete
Right by the state line
The restaurant employs about a dozen people. Gao expects it to draw from both Indiana and Illinois since it’s so close to the border. He’s hoping eventually to open a few more locations in Northwest Indiana.
He describes it as fine dining without high-end prices.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Den Asian Bistro will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit denasianbistro.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Encore Car Wash is coming soon to Hammond.
The car wash will be located next to the new Culver’s near the Cabela’s and Super Walmart southwest of the Indianapolis Boulevard exit on Interstate 80/94.
Encore Car Wash is a chain that opened its first location at 16340 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield and plans to open in Hammond this fall. It will expand to Westmont and Oak Lawn next year.
“At Encore, we want to change the way you think when you think about a car wash. With a return to good old-fashioned service and all of the most modern technology,” the business said on its website. “From our beautiful washes — featuring reclaimed brick from historic buildings in the city of Chicago and exterior murals by various artists — to our state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make every trip to Encore worth your while. And then some.”
For more information, visit encorecarwash.com or email [email protected].
Joseph S. Pete
Pop-up
The Bankquet in downtown Griffith opened a pop-up restaurant on its outdoor patio this summer.
The banquet hall occupies a historic bank building at 101 E. Main St. in Griffith. It hosts weddings, other special events and performances.
The pop-up restaurant offers al fresco dining for dinner and Sunday brunch. The hours and menu vary from week to week. It’s served brioche French toast, salads, pizza, charcuterie, farm-raised pulled pork and small plates like spiced corn fritter, baked artisan brie fondue and chicken wings.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
The Bankquet’s pop-up restaurant also has featured live performances from acoustic singer-songwriters.
For more information, call 219-313-2051 or find The Bankquet on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Spenga will soon offer spin, strength and yoga in Valparaiso.
A Spenga Fitness Center is opening for business soon at 91 Silhavy Road in Valparaiso Walk, where it is now taking membership presales.
The Homer Glen-based company aims to “deliver cardiovascular strength and flexibility training through a combination of spin, strength and yoga workouts.” Founded in 2015, Inc. magazine ranked it as the 43rd fastest-growing privately owned franchise in the Midwest.
The fitness chain has five locations in Chicagoland. The Valparaiso location is just the second in Indiana after Carmel.
It offers 60-minute workouts that put equal emphasis on cardio, strength and flexibility to attain a high caloric burn and “maximize your results without breaking down your body.”
Encouraging members to work smarter not harder, Spenga employs instructors who personalize every workout. It has a 20-20-20 format in which gym-goers complete one segment and move on to the next one.
Workouts include spinning, strength training and medicine balls. It offers multisensory experiences with aromatherapy and DJ-inspired playlists filled with energizing tracks.
The gym’s current presale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday but it will be open longer when it opens for business this fall.
For more information, call 219-767-9375.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Potato Express has found a permanent home in downtown Hammond.
The restaurant specializing in loaded potatoes first opened in the Hammond Development Corp.’s pop-up cafe space in the former Blue Room Cafe in downtown Hammond.
It now has a permanent home in the former Philly Steaks and Fresh Lemonade at 5252 Hohman Ave.
Joseph S. Pete
Potato-themed menu
The menu includes many specialty spuds topped with pot roast, jerk chicken, Italian beef, alfredo and taco meat as well as toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, chicken and steak. The hearty breakfast potato is topped with sausage, turkey ham, hash browns, sausage gravy and egg.
It also has soul bowls, a Thanksgiving Overload feast and sides like greens, mac and cheese, broccoli and red beans and rice.
If you crave even more potatoes, you can get a side of fries, cheese fries, loaded fries or mashed potatoes to go along with your loaded potato.
Joseph S. Pete
All your potato needs
Potato Express offers dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub.
Catering to the work crowd in downtown Hammond, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 219-545-5735 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closing
Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster is shuttering after four years.
Named after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin,” the boutique gift shop sold handcrafted goods from more than 50 vendors. While it mainly stocked the work of local artisans like Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, it also carried products from as far away as Kenya.
“Thanks be to God for the past four years of ‘Considering the Lilies’ and all his goodness and blessing. We announce with bittersweet emotions that our little shop will be closing. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind as we were approached to sell our property for a new incoming development. After prayer, advice and confirmation, we decided it was best to do so.”
A liquidation sale started Friday, with everything initially marked down by 50%. The store stocks a variety of goods from vendors like Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts and Bird and Bear Dolls.
Joseph S. Pete
Liquidation sale
“Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to all of you for your support and friendship through these years,” the owners posted on Facebook. “A special thank you to all the artisans who made my shop all that it could be with your beautiful handcrafted goods. Thank you, also, to my incredible staff in Jen, Darla, Alex, Mara and Diane and my sisters’ cheerleading along the way. Such an amazing gift. Thank you to my family, hubby, kids grandkids, parents, siblings and dear friends for loads of help, affirmation and encouragement continuously through it all.”
Munster resident Julie Kapteyn opened the business out of a love pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market and a wish there was a permanent brick-and-mortar place she could go to buy handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, handbags candles and leather journals.
She expressed gratitude to all her customers over the years.
“Last but not least, thank you to all the beautiful people of this community and beyond who chose to shop local or small, support local artisans and give me the privilege of serving you in this way,” the business posted on Facebook. “You have blessed me beyond words and may our friendship live on.”
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
Open
A new sushi restaurant has rolled into Dyer.
Den Asian Bistro opened Wednesday. The new restaurant is serving authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the former Bin 27 Grille space in the Galleria Buildings on U.S. 30.
The restaurant at 275 Joliet St. specializes in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean. Owner Kevin Goa describes it as Asian fusion.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Indoor-outdoor space’ with fountain
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Expansive menu’
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
Joseph S. Pete
Full sushi bar
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
The house roll, the Den Roulette, consists of shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallop, tobiko, tempura crunch and scallion. The twist is it includes a spicy mystery piece and the person who gets it must take a shot of sake from the plate.
Joseph S. Pete
Full bar
“We created it ourselves,” he said. “Our sushi chef did. One piece of the roll has a special flavor.”
The full bar includes sake, wine, cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and imported Asian beer.
Joseph S. Pete
Indoor and outdoor seating
Den Asian Bistro sits about 60 people in its 3,000-square-foot space. It also has an outdoor patio.
“There’s outdoor seating by a water fountain,” he said. “There’s a bar and family dining. There’s a section where we can open the roof. It’s what we call indoor outdoor dining.”
Joseph S. Pete
Right by the state line
The restaurant employs about a dozen people. Gao expects it to draw from both Indiana and Illinois since it’s so close to the border. He’s hoping eventually to open a few more locations in Northwest Indiana.
He describes it as fine dining without high-end prices.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Den Asian Bistro will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit denasianbistro.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Encore Car Wash is coming soon to Hammond.
The car wash will be located next to the new Culver’s near the Cabela’s and Super Walmart southwest of the Indianapolis Boulevard exit on Interstate 80/94.
Encore Car Wash is a chain that opened its first location at 16340 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield and plans to open in Hammond this fall. It will expand to Westmont and Oak Lawn next year.
“At Encore, we want to change the way you think when you think about a car wash. With a return to good old-fashioned service and all of the most modern technology,” the business said on its website. “From our beautiful washes — featuring reclaimed brick from historic buildings in the city of Chicago and exterior murals by various artists — to our state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make every trip to Encore worth your while. And then some.”
For more information, visit encorecarwash.com or email [email protected].
Joseph S. Pete
Pop-up
The Bankquet in downtown Griffith opened a pop-up restaurant on its outdoor patio this summer.
The banquet hall occupies a historic bank building at 101 E. Main St. in Griffith. It hosts weddings, other special events and performances.
The pop-up restaurant offers al fresco dining for dinner and Sunday brunch. The hours and menu vary from week to week. It’s served brioche French toast, salads, pizza, charcuterie, farm-raised pulled pork and small plates like spiced corn fritter, baked artisan brie fondue and chicken wings.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
The Bankquet’s pop-up restaurant also has featured live performances from acoustic singer-songwriters.
For more information, call 219-313-2051 or find The Bankquet on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Spenga will soon offer spin, strength and yoga in Valparaiso.
A Spenga Fitness Center is opening for business soon at 91 Silhavy Road in Valparaiso Walk, where it is now taking membership presales.
The Homer Glen-based company aims to “deliver cardiovascular strength and flexibility training through a combination of spin, strength and yoga workouts.” Founded in 2015, Inc. magazine ranked it as the 43rd fastest-growing privately owned franchise in the Midwest.
The fitness chain has five locations in Chicagoland. The Valparaiso location is just the second in Indiana after Carmel.
It offers 60-minute workouts that put equal emphasis on cardio, strength and flexibility to attain a high caloric burn and “maximize your results without breaking down your body.”
Encouraging members to work smarter not harder, Spenga employs instructors who personalize every workout. It has a 20-20-20 format in which gym-goers complete one segment and move on to the next one.
Workouts include spinning, strength training and medicine balls. It offers multisensory experiences with aromatherapy and DJ-inspired playlists filled with energizing tracks.
The gym’s current presale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday but it will be open longer when it opens for business this fall.
For more information, call 219-767-9375.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Potato Express has found a permanent home in downtown Hammond.
The restaurant specializing in loaded potatoes first opened in the Hammond Development Corp.’s pop-up cafe space in the former Blue Room Cafe in downtown Hammond.
It now has a permanent home in the former Philly Steaks and Fresh Lemonade at 5252 Hohman Ave.
Joseph S. Pete
Potato-themed menu
The menu includes many specialty spuds topped with pot roast, jerk chicken, Italian beef, alfredo and taco meat as well as toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, chicken and steak. The hearty breakfast potato is topped with sausage, turkey ham, hash browns, sausage gravy and egg.
It also has soul bowls, a Thanksgiving Overload feast and sides like greens, mac and cheese, broccoli and red beans and rice.
If you crave even more potatoes, you can get a side of fries, cheese fries, loaded fries or mashed potatoes to go along with your loaded potato.
Joseph S. Pete
All your potato needs
Potato Express offers dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub.
Catering to the work crowd in downtown Hammond, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 219-545-5735 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closing
Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster is shuttering after four years.
Named after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin,” the boutique gift shop sold handcrafted goods from more than 50 vendors. While it mainly stocked the work of local artisans like Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, it also carried products from as far away as Kenya.
“Thanks be to God for the past four years of ‘Considering the Lilies’ and all his goodness and blessing. We announce with bittersweet emotions that our little shop will be closing. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind as we were approached to sell our property for a new incoming development. After prayer, advice and confirmation, we decided it was best to do so.”
A liquidation sale started Friday, with everything initially marked down by 50%. The store stocks a variety of goods from vendors like Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts and Bird and Bear Dolls.
Joseph S. Pete
Liquidation sale
“Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to all of you for your support and friendship through these years,” the owners posted on Facebook. “A special thank you to all the artisans who made my shop all that it could be with your beautiful handcrafted goods. Thank you, also, to my incredible staff in Jen, Darla, Alex, Mara and Diane and my sisters’ cheerleading along the way. Such an amazing gift. Thank you to my family, hubby, kids grandkids, parents, siblings and dear friends for loads of help, affirmation and encouragement continuously through it all.”
Munster resident Julie Kapteyn opened the business out of a love pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market and a wish there was a permanent brick-and-mortar place she could go to buy handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, handbags candles and leather journals.
She expressed gratitude to all her customers over the years.
“Last but not least, thank you to all the beautiful people of this community and beyond who chose to shop local or small, support local artisans and give me the privilege of serving you in this way,” the business posted on Facebook. “You have blessed me beyond words and may our friendship live on.”
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
Open
A new sushi restaurant has rolled into Dyer.
Den Asian Bistro opened Wednesday. The new restaurant is serving authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the former Bin 27 Grille space in the Galleria Buildings on U.S. 30.
The restaurant at 275 Joliet St. specializes in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean. Owner Kevin Goa describes it as Asian fusion.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Indoor-outdoor space’ with fountain
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Expansive menu’
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
Joseph S. Pete
Full sushi bar
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
The house roll, the Den Roulette, consists of shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallop, tobiko, tempura crunch and scallion. The twist is it includes a spicy mystery piece and the person who gets it must take a shot of sake from the plate.
Joseph S. Pete
Full bar
“We created it ourselves,” he said. “Our sushi chef did. One piece of the roll has a special flavor.”
The full bar includes sake, wine, cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and imported Asian beer.
Joseph S. Pete
Indoor and outdoor seating
Den Asian Bistro sits about 60 people in its 3,000-square-foot space. It also has an outdoor patio.
“There’s outdoor seating by a water fountain,” he said. “There’s a bar and family dining. There’s a section where we can open the roof. It’s what we call indoor outdoor dining.”
Joseph S. Pete
Right by the state line
The restaurant employs about a dozen people. Gao expects it to draw from both Indiana and Illinois since it’s so close to the border. He’s hoping eventually to open a few more locations in Northwest Indiana.
He describes it as fine dining without high-end prices.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Den Asian Bistro will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit denasianbistro.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Encore Car Wash is coming soon to Hammond.
The car wash will be located next to the new Culver’s near the Cabela’s and Super Walmart southwest of the Indianapolis Boulevard exit on Interstate 80/94.
Encore Car Wash is a chain that opened its first location at 16340 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield and plans to open in Hammond this fall. It will expand to Westmont and Oak Lawn next year.
“At Encore, we want to change the way you think when you think about a car wash. With a return to good old-fashioned service and all of the most modern technology,” the business said on its website. “From our beautiful washes — featuring reclaimed brick from historic buildings in the city of Chicago and exterior murals by various artists — to our state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make every trip to Encore worth your while. And then some.”
For more information, visit encorecarwash.com or email [email protected].
Joseph S. Pete
Pop-up
The Bankquet in downtown Griffith opened a pop-up restaurant on its outdoor patio this summer.
The banquet hall occupies a historic bank building at 101 E. Main St. in Griffith. It hosts weddings, other special events and performances.
The pop-up restaurant offers al fresco dining for dinner and Sunday brunch. The hours and menu vary from week to week. It’s served brioche French toast, salads, pizza, charcuterie, farm-raised pulled pork and small plates like spiced corn fritter, baked artisan brie fondue and chicken wings.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
The Bankquet’s pop-up restaurant also has featured live performances from acoustic singer-songwriters.
For more information, call 219-313-2051 or find The Bankquet on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Spenga will soon offer spin, strength and yoga in Valparaiso.
A Spenga Fitness Center is opening for business soon at 91 Silhavy Road in Valparaiso Walk, where it is now taking membership presales.
The Homer Glen-based company aims to “deliver cardiovascular strength and flexibility training through a combination of spin, strength and yoga workouts.” Founded in 2015, Inc. magazine ranked it as the 43rd fastest-growing privately owned franchise in the Midwest.
The fitness chain has five locations in Chicagoland. The Valparaiso location is just the second in Indiana after Carmel.
It offers 60-minute workouts that put equal emphasis on cardio, strength and flexibility to attain a high caloric burn and “maximize your results without breaking down your body.”
Encouraging members to work smarter not harder, Spenga employs instructors who personalize every workout. It has a 20-20-20 format in which gym-goers complete one segment and move on to the next one.
Workouts include spinning, strength training and medicine balls. It offers multisensory experiences with aromatherapy and DJ-inspired playlists filled with energizing tracks.
The gym’s current presale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday but it will be open longer when it opens for business this fall.
For more information, call 219-767-9375.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Potato Express has found a permanent home in downtown Hammond.
The restaurant specializing in loaded potatoes first opened in the Hammond Development Corp.’s pop-up cafe space in the former Blue Room Cafe in downtown Hammond.
It now has a permanent home in the former Philly Steaks and Fresh Lemonade at 5252 Hohman Ave.
Joseph S. Pete
Potato-themed menu
The menu includes many specialty spuds topped with pot roast, jerk chicken, Italian beef, alfredo and taco meat as well as toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, chicken and steak. The hearty breakfast potato is topped with sausage, turkey ham, hash browns, sausage gravy and egg.
It also has soul bowls, a Thanksgiving Overload feast and sides like greens, mac and cheese, broccoli and red beans and rice.
If you crave even more potatoes, you can get a side of fries, cheese fries, loaded fries or mashed potatoes to go along with your loaded potato.
Joseph S. Pete
All your potato needs
Potato Express offers dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub.
Catering to the work crowd in downtown Hammond, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 219-545-5735 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closing
Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster is shuttering after four years.
Named after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin,” the boutique gift shop sold handcrafted goods from more than 50 vendors. While it mainly stocked the work of local artisans like Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, it also carried products from as far away as Kenya.
“Thanks be to God for the past four years of ‘Considering the Lilies’ and all his goodness and blessing. We announce with bittersweet emotions that our little shop will be closing. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind as we were approached to sell our property for a new incoming development. After prayer, advice and confirmation, we decided it was best to do so.”
A liquidation sale started Friday, with everything initially marked down by 50%. The store stocks a variety of goods from vendors like Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts and Bird and Bear Dolls.
Joseph S. Pete
Liquidation sale
“Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to all of you for your support and friendship through these years,” the owners posted on Facebook. “A special thank you to all the artisans who made my shop all that it could be with your beautiful handcrafted goods. Thank you, also, to my incredible staff in Jen, Darla, Alex, Mara and Diane and my sisters’ cheerleading along the way. Such an amazing gift. Thank you to my family, hubby, kids grandkids, parents, siblings and dear friends for loads of help, affirmation and encouragement continuously through it all.”
Munster resident Julie Kapteyn opened the business out of a love pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market and a wish there was a permanent brick-and-mortar place she could go to buy handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, handbags candles and leather journals.
She expressed gratitude to all her customers over the years.
“Last but not least, thank you to all the beautiful people of this community and beyond who chose to shop local or small, support local artisans and give me the privilege of serving you in this way,” the business posted on Facebook. “You have blessed me beyond words and may our friendship live on.”
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
Open
A new sushi restaurant has rolled into Dyer.
Den Asian Bistro opened Wednesday. The new restaurant is serving authentic pan-Asian cuisine in the former Bin 27 Grille space in the Galleria Buildings on U.S. 30.
The restaurant at 275 Joliet St. specializes in Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean. Owner Kevin Goa describes it as Asian fusion.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Indoor-outdoor space’ with fountain
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
Joseph S. Pete
‘Expansive menu’
The expansive menu includes sushi, Pad Thai, ramen, teriyaki, curry, hibachi and wok, featuring entrees like Mongolian beef and Thai garlic shrimp.
“We have a full-service bar, sushi, fresh fish, Japanese, Thai and Korean food,” he said. “It’s a new combination in this area.”
Joseph S. Pete
Full sushi bar
The restaurant has a full sushi bar with sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Rolls include the Godzilla, Chicago, Fire Dragon, Cherry Blossom, Crazy Monkey, Bangkok Coconut and Wild Jalapeno. The T-Rex features tuna, salmon, white tuna, yellowtail, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet mango chili.
The house roll, the Den Roulette, consists of shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, scallop, tobiko, tempura crunch and scallion. The twist is it includes a spicy mystery piece and the person who gets it must take a shot of sake from the plate.
Joseph S. Pete
Full bar
“We created it ourselves,” he said. “Our sushi chef did. One piece of the roll has a special flavor.”
The full bar includes sake, wine, cocktails, Japanese whiskeys and imported Asian beer.
Joseph S. Pete
Indoor and outdoor seating
Den Asian Bistro sits about 60 people in its 3,000-square-foot space. It also has an outdoor patio.
“There’s outdoor seating by a water fountain,” he said. “There’s a bar and family dining. There’s a section where we can open the roof. It’s what we call indoor outdoor dining.”
Joseph S. Pete
Right by the state line
The restaurant employs about a dozen people. Gao expects it to draw from both Indiana and Illinois since it’s so close to the border. He’s hoping eventually to open a few more locations in Northwest Indiana.
He describes it as fine dining without high-end prices.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Den Asian Bistro will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 12-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit denasianbistro.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Encore Car Wash is coming soon to Hammond.
The car wash will be located next to the new Culver’s near the Cabela’s and Super Walmart southwest of the Indianapolis Boulevard exit on Interstate 80/94.
Encore Car Wash is a chain that opened its first location at 16340 S. Lincoln Highway in Plainfield and plans to open in Hammond this fall. It will expand to Westmont and Oak Lawn next year.
“At Encore, we want to change the way you think when you think about a car wash. With a return to good old-fashioned service and all of the most modern technology,” the business said on its website. “From our beautiful washes — featuring reclaimed brick from historic buildings in the city of Chicago and exterior murals by various artists — to our state-of-the-art equipment, we aim to make every trip to Encore worth your while. And then some.”
For more information, visit encorecarwash.com or email [email protected].
Joseph S. Pete
Pop-up
The Bankquet in downtown Griffith opened a pop-up restaurant on its outdoor patio this summer.
The banquet hall occupies a historic bank building at 101 E. Main St. in Griffith. It hosts weddings, other special events and performances.
The pop-up restaurant offers al fresco dining for dinner and Sunday brunch. The hours and menu vary from week to week. It’s served brioche French toast, salads, pizza, charcuterie, farm-raised pulled pork and small plates like spiced corn fritter, baked artisan brie fondue and chicken wings.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
The Bankquet’s pop-up restaurant also has featured live performances from acoustic singer-songwriters.
For more information, call 219-313-2051 or find The Bankquet on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
Spenga will soon offer spin, strength and yoga in Valparaiso.
A Spenga Fitness Center is opening for business soon at 91 Silhavy Road in Valparaiso Walk, where it is now taking membership presales.
The Homer Glen-based company aims to “deliver cardiovascular strength and flexibility training through a combination of spin, strength and yoga workouts.” Founded in 2015, Inc. magazine ranked it as the 43rd fastest-growing privately owned franchise in the Midwest.
The fitness chain has five locations in Chicagoland. The Valparaiso location is just the second in Indiana after Carmel.
It offers 60-minute workouts that put equal emphasis on cardio, strength and flexibility to attain a high caloric burn and “maximize your results without breaking down your body.”
Encouraging members to work smarter not harder, Spenga employs instructors who personalize every workout. It has a 20-20-20 format in which gym-goers complete one segment and move on to the next one.
Workouts include spinning, strength training and medicine balls. It offers multisensory experiences with aromatherapy and DJ-inspired playlists filled with energizing tracks.
The gym’s current presale hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday but it will be open longer when it opens for business this fall.
For more information, call 219-767-9375.
Joseph S. Pete
Open
Potato Express has found a permanent home in downtown Hammond.
The restaurant specializing in loaded potatoes first opened in the Hammond Development Corp.’s pop-up cafe space in the former Blue Room Cafe in downtown Hammond.
It now has a permanent home in the former Philly Steaks and Fresh Lemonade at 5252 Hohman Ave.
Joseph S. Pete
Potato-themed menu
The menu includes many specialty spuds topped with pot roast, jerk chicken, Italian beef, alfredo and taco meat as well as toppings like cheese, broccoli, chili, bacon, chicken and steak. The hearty breakfast potato is topped with sausage, turkey ham, hash browns, sausage gravy and egg.
It also has soul bowls, a Thanksgiving Overload feast and sides like greens, mac and cheese, broccoli and red beans and rice.
If you crave even more potatoes, you can get a side of fries, cheese fries, loaded fries or mashed potatoes to go along with your loaded potato.
Joseph S. Pete
All your potato needs
Potato Express offers dine-in, carryout and delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub.
Catering to the work crowd in downtown Hammond, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 219-545-5735 or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Closing
Consider the Lilies Giftery at 8237 Forest Ave. in Munster is shuttering after four years.
Named after the Bible quote “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin,” the boutique gift shop sold handcrafted goods from more than 50 vendors. While it mainly stocked the work of local artisans like Tiddleywink Toffee, the Gourmet Goddess and Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory, it also carried products from as far away as Kenya.
“Thanks be to God for the past four years of ‘Considering the Lilies’ and all his goodness and blessing. We announce with bittersweet emotions that our little shop will be closing. The last six weeks have been a whirlwind as we were approached to sell our property for a new incoming development. After prayer, advice and confirmation, we decided it was best to do so.”
A liquidation sale started Friday, with everything initially marked down by 50%. The store stocks a variety of goods from vendors like Flannel Candle Co., Poppies Candles & Gifts and Bird and Bear Dolls.
Joseph S. Pete
Liquidation sale
“Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks to all of you for your support and friendship through these years,” the owners posted on Facebook. “A special thank you to all the artisans who made my shop all that it could be with your beautiful handcrafted goods. Thank you, also, to my incredible staff in Jen, Darla, Alex, Mara and Diane and my sisters’ cheerleading along the way. Such an amazing gift. Thank you to my family, hubby, kids grandkids, parents, siblings and dear friends for loads of help, affirmation and encouragement continuously through it all.”
Munster resident Julie Kapteyn opened the business out of a love pop-up craft and artisan markets like The Fetching Market and a wish there was a permanent brick-and-mortar place she could go to buy handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, handbags candles and leather journals.
She expressed gratitude to all her customers over the years.
“Last but not least, thank you to all the beautiful people of this community and beyond who chose to shop local or small, support local artisans and give me the privilege of serving you in this way,” the business posted on Facebook. “You have blessed me beyond words and may our friendship live on.”
Joseph S. Pete
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.