The idea was born before construction at the newly redeveloped Howard Park in downtown South Bend even began.
City of South Bend Venues Parks and Arts executive director Aaron Perri wanted to bring a new and different amenity to the ice skating rink and open green space. He wanted to bring a restaurant.
âWe were thinking something that was open for four seasons, would be family friendly, where a group of colleagues could go to get a drink and something that was local and something that fit the parkâs look and feel,â he said.
The city submitted a request for proposals for the space and Perri said three bids were submitted and considered with South Bend Chocolate Company owner and founder Mark Tarner ultimately succeeding.