Instead of closing its doors as previously anticipated, Amelio’s will remain open in Logansport under new ownership.

Local resident Larry Isaacs purchased the business from former owner Tom Keppler. Isaacs took over the establishment on Saturday morning.

“I just want people to know that we are going to be staying open,” Isaacs said.

The business, located at 431 S. Fifth St., has been a local favorite for about a century, according to Isaacs. With such a long history in the community, Isaacs wants to keep the restaurant the same, which he hopes will keep it thriving.

Isaacs plans to have his son Jacob manage the restaurant and will eventually hand over ownership to him.

“It needs some new blood and my son and I are that new blood,” Isaacs said of Amelio’s.

Patrons will see few changes at first, but Isaacs said he will eventually begin implementing some modifications.

The new owner plans to install several televisions, make the outside deck accessible and rearrange the bar on the north side of the building. Plans also include the installation of a dance stage.

Isaacs said he wants to close off a portion of the existing restaurant and reopen it as a new bar called Ikes. One section will be smoking and the other will be non-smoking.

Business hours will remain 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday for now. The Isaacs hopes to offer extended hours in the near future.

Sonic coming to Logansport

The nation’s largest drive-in restaurant chain may soon have a location in Logansport.

An article in The Star Press indicated that Highland Foods, a franchise owner based in Georgia, will open a Sonic location in Logansport after establishing restaurants in Lafayette and Marion.

Chad Poteet told the Star Press that he and his business partners intend to open as many as 25 locations in 15 northern Indiana cities.

A representative from Sonic’s corporate headquarters, located in Oklahoma City, said Logansport is on the company’s list of possible future locations, but the local restaurant is not expected to open until late next year.

Construction business relocating

Jon Nolan, owner of Nolan Construction, will move his construction business to Logansport within the next several weeks.

After operating the business in Fort Wayne for nearly 10 years, the owner decided to move to Logansport. Recently married, Nolan’s wife is originally from the area.

Nolan said he decided to relocate the business because he fell in love with everything Logansport has to offer. He added that he will keep the business the same after the move.

Once in Logansport, Nolan intends to offer a friends and family referral program as a benefit for local residents.

With the move, the business owner said he will also hire at least 10 new workers.

For more information, visit www.nolinconstruction.org or call (260) 579-6476.

Have a tip for Biz Buzz? Contact Denise Massie at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com