Fans of the tenderloin sandwich and donuts in Fishers have been hearing rumors circulating in recent weeks. One rumor deals with the Nickel Plate Bar & Grill, the second deals with Dunkin’ Donuts location at 116th and Allisonville Road. I have updates on both.
First, patrons of the Nickel Plate say their servers have been telling them the downtown restaurant will be closing in the coming weeks and those customers have been posting on social media with concerns about the future of the Nickel Plate Bar & Grill.
In a podcast interview with Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baungartner recorded February 21st, I asked her about the future of the Nickel Plate location, along 116th Street just east of the municipal complex.
“The intent has always been that the restaurant building stay,” Baungartner said. “It’s Lux (restaurant company) who owns the Nickel Plate Bar & Grill itself. The city hasn’t been in contact with him to hear in particular what his plans are for it. Those (closing) rumors have reached back to us.”
A major reason the city insisted on allowing the Nickel Plate Bar & Grill building to remain is to ” embrace and celebrate the history of Fishers,” according to the Economic Development Director. Baungartner added that the city wants a restaurant at the current Nickel Plate Bar & Grill location that would serve tenderloin sandwiches, even though that is an unusual provision in a project agreement.
Now, to Dunkin’ Donuts. It was announced back in August that a Dunkin’ Donuts location would be filling the spot at 116th Street and Allisonville Road that once housed a Jack in the Box restaurant. A sign has been placed in front of the property, but there hasn’t been any activity there in a long time.
We have now learned that the Dunkin’ Donuts 116th Street & Allisonville property has been issued a commercial building permit. City Spokesperson Stephanie Perry tells LarryInFishers the permit was issued by the city on February 13th. That is an indication that donuts should be served there in the not too distant future.
You can listen to my entire podcast interview with Megan Baumgartner at the link below.