There’s been no
delay in the construction of the new ALDI grocery store on the site of the
old Target on Indian Boundary Road.
Turns out, it just
takes time to design, plan, and receive permitting for a big-box project.
As Chesterton
Building Commissioner Mark O’Dell told the Town Council at its meeting
Monday night, ALDI has submitted building and architectural plans and is
working on signage and a stormwater prevention plan as well.
Groundbreaking is
on target for spring 2021, which O’Dell said has always been the anticipated
start date. He did say that the Building Department has received no plans
yet for an ancillary strip mall expected to be developed as part of the ALDI
project.
"The ALDI folks
have a pretty aggressive schedule,” Town Manager Bernie Doyle added. “They
plan to be done by fall.”
Distillery
In related news,
O’Dell said that the Building Department has issued a permit to the owner of
the former Westchester Lanes bowling alley at 124 N. Eighth Street, where
Vern Brown, operator of The Chesterton Brewery, is leasing space to open an
artisan distillery.
At the moment, a
three-hour firewall is being installed, separating the bowling alley--long
since stripped out--from the lounge area. Brown will then retrofit the
lounge area for the distillery itself. On the far side of the firewall,
storage space will be rented for boats, RVs, jet skis, and the like.
Brown’s distillery
is “going to be a good asset for the town, a good product,” O’Dell said.
Oh Gee Donuts
Finally, O’Dell
announced that Oh Gee Donuts will soon be opening at 137 S. Calumet Road, in
the space formerly occupied by The Octave Grill, since re-located to 105 S.
Calumet Road.
Trick-or-Treat
In other business,
Police Chief Dave Cincoski reminded folks that trick-or-treat has been
scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Cincoski emphasized
that residents who, for whatever reason, are not interested this year in
distributing candy should turn off their exterior porch or house lights. And
trick-or-treaters, for their part, should respect those wishes and under no
circumstances approach a house whose porch light has been turned off, even
if interior lights remain on.
All candy should be
pre-packaged and store-bought. Trick-or-treaters should wear face masks,
practice social-distancing, and not touch door knobs or handles.
Homeowners should,
weather permitting, distribute candy outside their residences and wear face
masks as well.