After months of delays, Penguin Point restaurant is now open in South Bend

Mary Shown, South Bend Tribune
4 min read
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A sign reads “Now Open” outside Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
A sign reads “Now Open” outside Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

For many months, mother-daughter duo Gaetane and Lisa Laureys have watched and wondered when Penguin Point would open its new South Bend location. The duo were finally able to try out the fast food restaurant for lunch on Monday, saying they’ve never been to one before but are excited to try something new.

“I would see it advertised and would wish we had one,” Gaetane Laureys said. “I’m happy they’re open now.”

Last Thursday, Penguin Point opened its first South Bend location at 3401 Lincoln Way W. near the South Bend International Airport. The newly opened fast food restaurant marks the 16th location for the regional company that was established in 1950, with other restaurants located predominantly on the northeastern side of Indiana.

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The company announced plans to open the South Bend location by summer 2021, transforming what was a Wendy’s into a quick-serve restaurant that features its tenderloin sandwich, Big Wally hamburger, chicken strips, crinkle cut fries and ice cream.

“It’s the same great food, and we’re very proud of our tenderloin and Big Wally; none of that has changed,” said Pat Hilton, CEO of the chain. “The only thing that will be different from what our grandparents might remember is advancing into the digital age.”

A Mega Double Cheeseburger and fries are shown at Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
A Mega Double Cheeseburger and fries are shown at Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

But after the initial summertime opening plans came and passed, the restaurant seemed to be no closer to opening. Hilton said delays related to the $600,000 construction renovation and purchase of necessary equipment pushed the opening back further and further.

“It took the contractor a bit longer to get (subcontractors) than we thought,” Hilton said. “Once we hit construction, then it became a supply chain issue.”

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Six months after the initial opening plans, the newly modernized building opened and features clean gray and black lines with bits of yellow daubed around. The indoor dining can seat about 40 people, with wireless charging stations on each table. Hilton said they opted out of booths in the dining room, saying they didn’t like the original set up of the former Wendy’s building with booths in the middle of the room. The tables allow for more flexibility and, in case social distancing protocols need to be put in place again, Hilton said seating can be more easily arranged to do so. The restaurant also features a drive-thru and has other digital-forward features like a digital menu board, online ordering at penguinpoint.com and delivery options with third party companies like DoorDash.

People wait in line to order inside Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
People wait in line to order inside Penguin Point’s new South Bend location on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Hilton said they plan to “refresh” other Penguin Point locations to match the new modernized look in 2022. The CEO also said they are interested in opening more locations in the South Bend area but have not yet identified exactly where.

“If we can find the right location, we’d love to do it,” Hilton said. “We put a pause on looking because we didn't want to exasperate our efforts in our new and current locations. … It’s a relief (to get the South Bend location open). We’re really excited, we’re proud of the building, proud of the way it looks from a curb appeal perspective and are excited to serve our customers.”

American Pancake House opens Goshen location

A new breakfast and lunch restaurant has opened in Goshen.

American Pancake House opened Monday, Jan. 17, at the former Bob Evan's building at 425 W. Pike St. This is the third location for brother-sister ownership Nick and Zoi Kladis, who also own the location in Town and Country Shopping Centre in Mishawaka and on Indiana 933 in Roseland.

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Nick Kladis said they purchased the Pike Street property two weeks before the coronavirus pandemic shutdown in March 2020. Kladis said work restarted to renovate the building in 2021 and estimates it took about eight months to complete, citing construction and equipment delays that pushed off earlier opening plans.

"We (thought we) needed to introduce our food, of breakfast lunch, into this area," Kladis said.

The menu and atmosphere are similar to other locations, with the restaurant specializing in American breakfast and lunch options. American Pancake House's Goshen location is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Contact Mary Shown at 574-235-6244 and mshown@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @maryshownSBT and @marketbasketSBT.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penguin Point South Bend location is finally now open

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