ELKHART, Ind. -- The owners of Trackside, a bar in Mishawaka, are expanding their reach to the heart city, taking over the historic state theater downtown.
The building has sat empty for more than a year since Five-Star Dive Bar closed. The co-owners, Bobbie Riemland Charmat and Leila Charmat, were frequent customers at Five Star, and always imagined what it would be like to take their smaller location in Mishawaka and move it to a bigger space.
That dream is now a reality, and Trackside Grand Station opens this Saturday, June 13. The couple have spent the past several months working alongside the building owner on a series of renovations.
That includes new flooring, TVs, signage, lighting and more. Their biggest goal is to bring an influx of live music and dancing back to Michiana, particularly downtown Elkhart.
Grand Station has also been working with the Elkhart Train Museum to gather historical photos of the city and its connection to the railroad industry, many of which are displayed throughout the newly renovated space.
Trackside's Mishawaka location will remain open.