Ascend Indiana, an online job platform in the Indianapolis area, raised $23.8 million to expand its service across the Hoosier State.
The website helps job seekers find employment and training opportunities in Indiana. More than 550 employers across the state are now advertising job openings on the site. Thus far, it has connected more than 2,300 job seekers with their next job.
Ravenfell Manor is an elaborate yard haunt at 715 W Alice St in Kouts.
The goal is to roll out the service statewide with the new capital that will allow it to scale up.
“Over the last year and a half, the employment landscape in Indiana has changed drastically, from the record high unemployment rates caused by COVID-19 to the surging demand for talent today,” said Jason Kloth, president and CEO of Ascend Indiana. “The Ascend Network is helping thousands of job seekers, including students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, navigate more efficiently to employment opportunities. Through generous support from many funders, the Ascend Network is strategically positioned to help more Hoosiers find quality employment and training opportunities in this rapidly changing labor market.”
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Ravenfell Manor is an elaborate yard haunt at 715 W Alice St in Kouts.
Ascend focuses mainly on college students and recent graduates. It works with a number of different colleges across the state, including Indiana, Purdue and Ball State universities.
It was started by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership with the help of a $12.75 million Lilly Endowment grant in 2019. It has since raised $11 million in additional funding, including from community partners and more than 45 employers.
For more information, visit ascendindiana.com.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Skechers, Taste of Jamaica, Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Code Ninja opening; Parcel Port under new ownership
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One can find a pair of new kicks at a new shoe store in Schererville.
Skechers opened a warehouse outlet store at 141 U.S. 41 in Shops on Main. The family-footwear brand is selling gym and casual shoes in the outdoor lifestyle center that's also home to Whole Foods, Tomato Bar and Nordstrom Rack.
Manhattan Beach, California-based Skechers, the third-largest athletic footwear brand in the country, took over the space formerly occupied by Pier One, one of the countless casualties to bankruptcy during the retailpocalypse. It sells many varieties of shoes and apparel in the new outlet store in Schererville.
Skechers is on track to hit $10 billion in revenue by 2025. It's known for its many celebrities endorsements, including Wayne Gretzky, Carrie Underwood and Camila Cabello.
The chain also has locations in the Southlake Mall in Hobart and the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Hobart.
For more information, call 219-440-0166 or visit sketchers.com.
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Taste of Jamaica is now serving Caribbean fare in Highland.
The Jamaican restaurant is located at 3032 45th St. in the same strip mall as Beer Geeks. It serves authentic Jamaican food, such as jerk chicken, jerk catfish, curry shrimp, oxtail, curried goat, Jamaican beef patty, brown stew and jerk rib tips.
Diners can get sides like plantains, red beans and rice and mac and cheese. There's also a selection of Pepsi products to wash down the spicy food.
"We started this business with a lifetime of restaurant experience and a desire to bring the flavors of Jamaica to our community," the business posted on its website. "We're looking forward to growing our business to continue to serve Highland and the surrounding areas. We'd like to personally invite you to stop in today for delicious jerk chicken, scrumptious seafood, fantastic curry, and more."
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon until 9 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 219-513-6324.
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Dickey's Barbecue Pit, the nation's largest barbecue restaurant chain with more than 500 locations nationwide, returned to Schererville after a seven-year absence.
The Texas-based chain, founded in 2014, opened a small sit-down eatery at 1505 U.S. 41 in the Crossroads Shopping Center anchored by Strack & Van Til and Walmart.
The fast-casual counter-serve restaurant was previously located a few miles north at 713 Indianapolis Boulevard but closed its locations in Schererville, Highland and Portage.
Dickey's Barbecue Pit took over a former Subway storefront in Schererville, where it's now slow cooking authentic Texas barbecue. It serves a variety of smoked meats like brisket, ribs, chicken, pork and kielbasa sausage.
It offers chili, sandwiches, giant baked potatoes and fountain drinks in its signature Big Yellow Cups. Customers get a choice of homestyle sides like barbecue beans, mac and cheese, cabbage slaw, asiago cheese creamed spinach and bacon and onion green beans.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For more information, visit dickeys.com or call 219-440-7650.
Coming soon
Code Ninja is coming to Crown Point, where it will aim to make kids technologically proficient in a state-of-the-art learning center.
The coding center teaches kids between the ages of 5 and 14 to code and develop video games. The national chain offers classes that teach students problem solving, critical thinking and STEM skills, instructing them on the "literacy of the 21st century."
The Crown Point location is at 29 E. 107th Ave. in the Beacon Hill development. A grand opening is planned in December.
The coding "dojo" offers students camps in the summer and year-round.
For more information, call 219-661-7484, email crownpointin@codeninjas.com or find the business on Facebook.
Grand re-opening
Parcel Port had a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting Thursday with the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership.
The business at 717 Michigan Ave. has operated in LaPorte since 1989. It offers shipping through UPS, USPS and FedEx.
Customers also can get notary services, shredding, shipping supplies and cards.
It's been owned by four different owners: Dave Sherrick from 1989-1990, Jude Hermsen from 1990-2000, Jerry Wallace from 2000-2021 and now Jami Arnold. She bought the business in September.
“I am excited about the opportunity to own and operate Parcel Port. Parcel Port has provided an essential service (shipping parcels) to our community for over 30 years," she said. "While I never would have predicted I would own my own business, I am excited and committed to providing great service with a smile. I love meeting and getting to know our customers. As well, I have added a few new services such as Notarizing documents and shredding. My goal is to provide our customers with a positive experience each time they walk through the door.”
The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, call 219-362-4083.
Relocating
Elite Chiropractic + Sports Care is relocating to Highland.
Dr. Randy Rosenthal's practice helps patients with chiropractic treatments and sports therapy. The medical office is moving to 2164-2166 45th St. in the Port De Leau Plaza in Highland.
“Dr. Rosenthal was in need of more space for his growing business and wanted to stay in or around the Munster area," said Brett McDermott with Latitude Commercial, which represented the tenant in the lease deal. "We thought this was a great fit being right on the border of Munster in Highland. The new building is strategically located for his patients.”
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Eyecare Express is providing glasses, contacts and eye exams in Schererville.
The eyecare specialist opened at 116 Indianapolis Boulevard in the Town Square Shopping Center near the intersection of Main Street and Indianapolis Boulevard at just south of the Highland border. One can see an optometrist through an appointment or walk-in and leave with classes in a few hours.
It's part of a chain that also has locations in Elkhart, Fort Wayne, South Bend and Terre Haute. The Schererville store is its first Northwest Indiana location.
Eyecare Express is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
For more information, call 219-440-7121 or visit eyecareexpress.net.
Coming soon
Merrillville Commercial In-Sites announces broker Jim Dye completed a lease to bring a new primary care and wellness center to Valparaiso.
Dr. Amanda Yarbrough signed a lease to open Wholesome Wellness, LLC at 3907 Calumet Ave. in Lake Point Plaza in Valparaiso.
Dye also brokered a deal to bring a new medical spa to Schererville.
Jessica Greichunos signed a lease to open JG Esthetics at 318 U.S. 30 in Deer Run Plaza in Schererville. It will offer medical spa services and related retail products.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com.
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