Fire N’ the Hole Pizza was just one of several new businesses to open in Kosciusko County. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Lasca Randels
and Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — In 2020, several businesses in Warsaw and surrounding areas opened to the public. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many other business owners were unfortunately forced to shut their doors. This story is a recap of the biggest openings and closings of restaurants and stores in Kosciusko County and surrounding areas.

Openings

• Hogs R Wild —  The BBQ business opened Jan. 2. The restaurant at 1527 N. Detroit St., Warsaw, is run by Mark Poling, who operated his business as a food truck for four years. The new store operates in the same location as Chicago Doghouse, which closed in 2019.
• Fire N The Hole Pizza — The food truck, located at 104 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, opened over the summer.
• Story Emporium — This is a new used bookstore located in the Warsaw Community Public Library, which opened in March. Story Emporium is sponsored and managed by the Friends of the Library and volunteers.
• Crossroads Bank — The bank opened a new location in Warsaw in June. The bank is located next to Clearwater Car Wash and Aldi. Crossroads Bank is headquartered in Wabash and has seven offices, including one in Syracuse.
• Compton Automotive — The automotive business, located at 501 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, opened on June 1.
• Jerky Jerks —  The business, located at 503 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, opened in March before temporarily closing during the stay-at-home order issued in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since resumed operations. Jerky Jerks is owned and operated by Ashley Ward and Nate Ries. They offer different flavors of jerky.
• Shawnanigans —  A ribbon cutting was held for the catering service in October. The business’ food truck is based out of Warsaw.
• Legacy Family Chiropractic —  The business, located at 550 W. CR 300N, Warsaw, opened in October.
• Music Encounters —  The business opened its Warsaw location at 2176 N. Biomet Drive in November. The business provides music lessons. 
• Lake City Restoration —   Located at 306 Argonne Road, Warsaw, the business opened in fall 2020. The business helps clean up after disasters like fires and floods and can also address issues related to mold.

Transitions

• Whetten Pizza/Miotto’s Main Street Pizza and More — Whetten’s Pizza on Milford’s Main Street closed in June after 34 years of business. The restaurant was opened in 1986 by Steve Whetten. Since then, the restaurant has reopened as Miotto’s Main Street Pizza and More. Miotto’s held a soft opening this week with a limited menu.
• Downtown Warsaw restaurant changes hands – BMac’s, a downtown eatery on North Buffalo St., Warsaw, closed, but then reopened under new ownership and a new name, Buzz on Buffalo.

Closings

• Pier 1 Imports — In early January, Warsaw’s Pier 1 Imports, formerly located on Frontage Road, closed its doors after a reduction in the company’s corporate department. All physical Pier 1 stores closed in October. The Warsaw location opened in 2000.
• Sears — The Sears Hometown Store in Warsaw, formerly located on Frontage Road, closed after the owner announced his retirement. Sears officially closed its doors on April 10 and was the second business in the Marketplace of Warsaw to close in 2020.
• HomeTown Pharmacy luncheonette — The luncheonette in HomeTown Pharmacy on East Center Street in Warsaw shut down in April. The closing coincided with renovation plans at the pharmacy.
• Schoops Hamburgers — Schoops Hamburgers on US 30 in Warsaw temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July, the restaurant’s owner confirmed the establishment would permanently close. The building will soon be home to a Popeye’s restaurant.
• Family Video — The Family Video store in Warsaw closed in the fall after temporarily closing early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Warsaw’s Family Video opened in 2009. Several Family Video locations in northern Indiana also closed, including locations in Wabash, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Fort Wayne and South Bend.
• Wabash Valley Manufacturing — Wabash Valley Manufacturing in Silver Lake announced its closure. The company anticipates beginning layoffs in January. The manufacturing plant produces commercial grade park benches, picnic tables and trash receptacles.

Expansions

Two orthopedic firms in Warsaw, Nextremity Solutions and Wishbone Orthopedic, are in a growth mode. Nextremity Solutions is constructing its new headquarters in the Warsaw Technology Park along US 30 on the city’s west side. Wishbone Medical plans to expand and revamp property along US 30 formerly used by SYM Financial and Wright Medical. Orthopediatrics also recently expanded. On Dec. 18, Orthopediatrics announced its expansion into the U.K. commercial market with the approval and launch of two innovative surgical systems.

Meanwhile, Polywood is expanding in Syracuse. In November 2020, Polywood, a manufacturer of outdoor furniture produced with recycled plastics, announced plans to expand its Indiana operations in Kosciusko County. The company plans to build a new production facility at its Syracuse campus and create up to 95 new jobs by the end of 2023.