Horizon Bank is donating to help feed the needy.
The publicly traded Michigan City-based bank, which has branches in Indiana and Michigan and offers mortgage lending services across the Midwest, gave Hilltop Food Pantry $7,500 to help provide nutritious meals to food-insecure households in Valparaiso and greater Porter County.
“I’m glad to be part of a company that gives back,” said Mark Ritzi, market president of Porter County at Horizon Bank, the third-largest in Northwest Indiana by market share, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. “Horizon makes a difference and we all want a great place to make a difference. Thanks to the whole team for making this happen.”
The Hilltop Food Pantry at 606 Union Street in Valparaiso is run by the Hilltop Neighborhood House, a nonprofit that provides childcare, meals for kids and resources for families. Volunteers from local churches and students from nearby Valparaiso University help man the food pantry, which is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Thursday and takes donations from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.
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“Feeding our neighbors is one of the most important things we can do and Hilltop provides food and resources for more than 600 individuals each month,” Hilltop Food Pantry President and CEO Jennifer Wright said. “Every donation makes a difference, and we are grateful for the support provided by Horizon Bank because it allows us to continue providing quality food to help the members of our community succeed.”
For more information, visit HilltopHouse.org or email jwright@hilltophouse.org.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Edible Arrangements, Vaccaro's Delicatessen, Basecamp Fitness and Hot Pans Comfort Food coming soon
Coming soon
Edible Arrangements will soon deliver fresh fruit bouquets to Crown Point.
Christian and Cassandra Washington, who own the Edible Arrangements in Schererville, plan to open the chain's 10th store in Indiana in Crown Point. Atlanta-based Edible Arrangements, which Entrepreneur magazine has deemed one of the country's fastest-growing franchises, bills itself as "the world’s leader in gifts and treats," such as its boxes of chocolate-covered strawberries and signature melon bouquets that blend a fruit basket with a floral arrangement.
“After working for many years in multiple industries, we knew that joining the Edible team was the perfect solution to continue our goal of empowering team leaders through our business ownership,” Christian Washington said. “Being huge fans of the brand ourselves, we’re excited to be sharing the joys of Edible’s fruitful arrangements by opening our second location in Crown Point.”
He has worked as a manager in the steel industry and a pastor at Anthem Church in Hammond. She has worked as a chemical engineer in manufacturing and as a licensed general law practitioner.
“We are honored that our innovative business model has drawn the attention of experienced and thoughtful franchise partners such as the Washingtons,” said Patricia Perry, vice president of franchise development at Edible.
Slated to open in 2022
Founded more than 20 years ago, Edible Arrangements sells freshly made gifts that feature fruit and gourmet chocolate that can be picked up in-store or delivered to someone's home or office to celebrate life's triumphs or cheer someone up. It also carries bakery items, smoothies, individual grab-and-go treats and fresh produce boxes that can be ordered at the store or online.
The chain has more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including in Lansing, Valparaiso and Portage. Edible Arrangements has been recognized by the Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing privately owned companies in the country. It is now licensing its products in retail stores and is looking to grow through franchising in Indiana, Alabama, Alaska, Northern California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North and South Carolina, North and South Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
The Crown Point location is slated to open in 2022.
For more information, visit edible.com or www.ediblefranchise.com.
Coming soon
Vaccaro's Delicatessen is coming soon to Michigan City.
The deli at 1407 Franklin St. will serve charcuterie boxes, charcuterie platters, New Orleans-style muffuletta sandwiches, quiche, baked potatoes at a baked potato bar, pastries and desserts.
For more information, visit vaccarosdeli.com or call 219-221-6644.
Coming soon
A Basecamp Fitness Studio is coming to a new strip mall planned for a location near the Hampton Inn on U.S. 41 in Schererville.
The fast-paced gym chain offers a high-intensity 35-minute guided class with fast-paced interval training that alternates 60-second bursts of strength training with 60-seconds on a high-resistance stationary bike followed by an optional 10-minute core exercise session. Modeled after how professional athletes train, the workouts are designed to be as efficient as possible in a "fast and fun" group setting.
Basecamp Fitness Studio will occupy part of a 7,500-square-foot retail building on a 1.75-acre site by the iHop on U.S. 41. There will be an additional 4,500-square-feet of restaurant space and a drive-through restaurant.
“The property is located in the heart of Schererville’s retail corridor and has great frontage on U.S. 41. We already have a lot of activity for the additional space adjacent to Basecamp," said Latitude Commercial's Brett McDermott, who is representing the landlord in leasing the development.
The gym at 1902 U.S. 41 in Schererville is slated to open this year.
For more information, call 219-718-4167 or visit basecampsfitness.com.
Coming soon
Hot Pans Comfort Food & Catering is bringing southern cuisine and soul food to Michigan City.
The restaurant and catering business at 1701 Franklin St. in Michigan City promises "our pots stay hot while yours are not." It promises southern comfort food with "a touch of street food" served in a modern atmosphere.
The menu includes seafood boils with house-made butter garlic sauce, crispy fried chicken, firecracker shrimp with Cajun rice, four-cheese mac and cheese, stuffed cornbread and French garlic bread.
Lifelong dream
Chef Portia Gurley, a Chicago native who hails from the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side, is opening the restaurant. Aspiring to be a chef since the third grade, she cooked her first Thanksgiving dinner for her family at the age of 14. She's earned degrees in the culinary arts and business management from Robert Morris University.
Hot Pans Comfort Food will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
For more information, visit www.hotpanscatering.com, call 219-221-6801 or email orders@hotpanscatering.com.
Expanding
New Beginnings Clubhouse, a mental health service provider, plans to grow at its existing location at 107 W. 79th Ave. in Merrillville.
The social service agency helps those with mental health conditions find employment and become independent to realize their full potential as people. An affiliate of Regional Mental Health and a member of Clubhouse International, it currently occupies 2,480 square feet in its existing location.
New Beginnings Clubhouse plans to expand by 1,965 square feet to occupy 4,445 square feet in the coming months so it can provide services to more people in need in the community.
“New Beginnings had been exploring relocating to a larger space for well over a year. It was only at the beginning of 2021 that we began pursuing merging with the adjacent suite. In the end, the tenant got their additional space and the landlord filled a vacancy. Everyone is satisfied," said Latitude Commercial's Antony Miocic, who represented New Beginnings.
For more information, call 219-472-0311.
Reopen
Family Dollar reopened a Gary store after a renovation.
The discount retailer updated its store at 3400 W. 15th St. in Gary, adding freezers and coolers and expanding the selection of food, household products, beauty products, and $1 Dollar Tree merchandise.
The store is open seven days a week. Family Dollar stores typically employ six to 10 people.
A grand reopening celebration took place Saturday.
If you would like your business to be included in a future column, email joseph.pete@nwi.com.
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Joseph S. Pete
Business Reporter
Region native Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times of Northwest Indiana since 2013.
