SOUTH BEND — A new bar with an old touch opens in downtown South Bend, and business is booming.

The bar known as “The Hideaway, is located inside The LaSalle apartment building.

Keeping up with the building’s 1920s roots, the speakeasy-style bar offers prohibition-era cocktails and snacks.

Co-owner Jerry Roberts called his inspiration “speakeasy meets steampunk.”

“I wanted to bring more liveliness to the downtown South Bend area. We’re open on Sundays, which a lot of people aren’t. It gives a place for service residents to go,” added Roberts.

Julie Sutton, a bartender at The Hideaway used to work in the marketing and advertising field. Sutton is excited for the city’s economic development.

“So I grew up in South Bend and I moved away for a while, and I just recently came back. It’s great to see South Bend growing, especially with all of these new businesses and bars, and new things popping up,” Sutton said.

“It keeps it exciting and makes it more of a thriving city.”

The bar was also the perfect Sunday meeting spot for opera singer Anne Fuchs and videographer Brennon Beach, who were discussing details for Fuchs’ next video shoot.

Fuchs said, “My whole life is pretty much walk-able at this point. I save so much time. It’s really convenient. And there’s this interpersonal connection with everything you do.”

“Knowing the people who frequent the places you go just gives you a secure feeling. I don’t have any concerns about going out because of that.”

Beach said, “A lot of the places I go, I know the owners. It gives it more of a hometown feel when you know the people you’re spending your money with.”

The camaraderie between businesses is not only beneficial for South Bend residents.

“I’m friends with most of the business owners downtown. And we all have the same view in that we all are a community. We work with each other,” said Roberts.

In fact, South Bend Brew Werks created an exclusive beer for The Hideaway. According to Roberts, this is mutually beneficial for both of the businesses.

Fuchs added, “We have an amazing downtown developing. We’ve got local business owners taking risks.”

“We can all kind of help that and make the community thrive together.”
In a few months, South Bend residents can also expect to see “South Blend Café” open up shop inside The LaSalle apartment building.

Source: WNDU