Downtown South Bend restaurants feeling the chill during Restaurant Weeks

SOUTH BEND, Ind.— Thirty-five local eateries are participating in Downtown South Bend’s Winter Restaurant Weeks, a promotion aimed at boosting business during what is typically a slower time of year as restaurants continue to feel the impact of this harsh winter weather.

Mark McDonnell, founder of LaSalle Grill and the Downtown Dining Association, said restaurants across the country are seeing economic effects tied to the weather.

“Nationwide there’s articles in every paper that say the severe weather is having a negative impact on the economy and it really is,” McDonnell said.

McDonnell started the tradition of restaurant weeks and the Downtown Dining Association in 2011 following the 2008 recession.

“For many big cities that kind of ended and they seem to be thriving, South Bend was really dragging all restaurants were suffering,” McDonnell said.

Restaurants participating in the promotion offer special deals and discounts to attract diners.

McDonnell said the strategy has proven successful over the years, so they will extend specials into the second week of February this year to combat the weather.

“Restaurant weeks are one of the ways that we get through slow periods and it helps but it doesn’t help when the weather is terrible, but it’s been terrible in the past,” McDonnell said.

Fiddler’s Hearth Public House was one of the original six restaurants to participate.

“We were maybe one of 10 then,” said Terry Meehan, owner of Fiddler’s Hearth. “Now it’s blossomed to 30 something and that’s good. It gets people to come out of their cocoons.”

While showcasing some of the restaurant’s specials Meehan said the fireplace isn’t the only thing keeping the place warm in this cold stretch.

“And it’s the laughter, the conversation, you can exchange conversation, not worry about this or that,” Meehan added.

Both long-time businesses say they have watched downtown South Bend transform over the years and are eager for what is still to come even after a brutal winter.

“There are a lot of things to come and we’re just on the verge of things starting so we’re excited about that,” McDonnell said.

Restaurant owners say they are looking ahead to warmer days including Valentine’s Day when business typically begins to pick up.

A full list of specials can be found here.