Stacey’s Restaurant and Family Dining will be closing its doors after five decades in business. Photos by Deb Patterson.
By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews
LEESBURG — A popular Kosciusko County restaurant will be shutting its doors for the final time when the calendar turns to 2023. Stacy’s Sports Inn has been owned and operated by multiple generations of the Haines family for half a century, having first opened in 1972 by Stacy and Colleen Haines.
In a
recent article published on InkFreeNews, guest columnist Loren Shaum wrote:
Sign along the road.
“Named after patriarch, Stacy Haines, who with wife Colleen, purchased the restaurant in 1972, they created a loyal following that generated sufficient income to put sons Tyler (IU) and Todd (Notre Dame) through law school. Now in its 50th year, Tyler owns and operates the restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday and Monday. … Walking into Stacy’s quickly takes you back to the ’70s. There is retro signage nicely spaced on the wood-paneled walls and an antique bar. Tables are spaced to allow waiters easy access to customers, and there is ample space for families.”
In the announcement of its closing, second-generation owner Tyler Haines noted:
“The Haines Family is honored to have had Stacy’s become a staple in the Kosciusko County community offering a welcoming atmosphere for families, friends, and visitors alike. Over the past five decades, the restaurant has been through a lot. Through building expansions, dance floors and bands, salad bars, a fire, recessions and a pandemic, we’ve persisted in order to host hundreds of events, serve hundreds of thousands of meals, tell millions of stories, and most importantly, create countless amounts of memories and friendships.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Haines in a phone interview with InkFreeNews. “The time is right, the economy isn’t good. We made it to 50 years, which was my goal. It doesn’t make sense to continue.”
Haines added he is intending to sell the restaurant and doesn’t believe he’ll have a difficult time doing so. He said any sale of the restaurant will include the honoring by the new owners of any outstanding gift certificates and gift cards.
“It has always been a great location, serving locals and the lake folks,” he said. “But I think it needs some new blood. We’ve always catered to an older crowd and it’s maybe time for some younger people to take over. It was always my parents’ dream (to own a restaurant) and I wanted to help continue that dream as much as I could, but it’s time for me to do something different.”
Haines added that he plans to continue his Leesburg law practice on a full-time basis “for the next 10 years or so.”
“To all our loyal customers, please know that this decision was not made lightly, and our family is forever grateful for your support,” added Haines in the official announcement . “We will cherish the memories we have made and the relationships we have built over the years. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.”
The restaurant will be accepting reservations through the end of this month. They encourage people to do so, especially for anyone wanting to come on New Year’s Eve.
“The closing of Stacy’s marks the end of an era for our family, inclusive of our great and talented employees and the Leesburg community,” Haines concluded. “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your long-standing support.”
Outside view of Stacey’s Restaurant and Family Dining.
