VALPARAISO | The effort to create a downtown dining mecca has slowed but has by no means stopped, according to the city's Economic Development Director Matt Murphy.
"We get inquiries from people quite often," Murphy said. "That hasn't slowed up. We get a steady stream of inquiries from people looking at the spots downtown. The special liquor license plays a big part in that, and they are getting the application and seeing what kind of restaurant they are interested in opening and how it will fit with what we want for the downtown."
The state Legislature created 10 special downtown full service liquor licenses in 2005. So far, the city has awarded five of them, the last one going to Paparazzi's about a year ago. Others with the license are Don Quijote, Bistro 157, Bon Femme Cafe, and Pikk's.
Murphy said the economy could be a factor in the decision by some restaurateurs not to seek an application at this time, but another factor could be the downtown itself.
"It's a big endeavor, and the biggest thing is finding the right spot to open in the downtown," he said. "The license focuses on one geographic area, and they have to deal with different challenges than they would elsewhere. So that could be why we have not seen a flood of applicants."
The five now operating are going strong, and Murphy said a new marketing effort should help. As a condition of the special license, each has to contribute $200 a month toward marketing the group. The city also contributes $10,000 from its share of the county economic development income tax.
The money was used recently to launch a new Web site, www.valpodining.com, where people can get information about each of the restaurants, read the menus and even make reservations online. To promote the Web site and themselves, the quintet also launched a direct mail campaign to about 4,000 households in Lake and Porter counties that indicated an interest in gourmet food and fine dining.
An ad in Travel Host magazine, which goes to the hotels for guests to read about the amenities available to them during their stay, provides another facet of the marketing effort. Murphy said it is aimed at getting visitors to bypass the national chains they see on U.S. 30 or from Ind. 49 and direct them to the downtown.
"We are looking at doing billboard ads too," he said. "At times like this, you've got to step up the advertising."
The marketing also helps the whole downtown, and the five have the option of working with the Valparaiso Community Festival and Events office on special promotions.
"I'm hopeful we will see some additional investment in the downtown historic district in the next year," he said. "We're pretty optimistic the licenses are a great tool, and, with the new downtown park possibly opening next year, it will be a neat place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the park."
