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PROGRESS
“Anything that’s raised and grown in Indiana, that’s what we’re
going to serve,” said Gibson in July, before the restaurant opened.
“It’s giving back to the local farmers that are supplying people with
food. And we’re going to prepare it properly.”
The Wildcat is an all-ages restaurant. They offer a beer and liquor
selection, but the brands are primarily popular ones, with less
selection than The Coterie. Gibson said the main focus is, of
course, the food.
“If you want to bring your kids and have a good dinner, you
can stay downstairs and eat dinner. Or, if you want to go have a
cocktail with the food we’re serving, you can go upstairs and have
your food fromThe Wildcat with your cocktail,” he said.
RACK ROOM SHOES
A new shoe store opened in the Markland Mall in July that
frequently offers promotional deals to customers, and provides
the opportunity to help buy shoes for needy children in the
community.
Rack Room Shoes has around 400 stores nationwide, spanning
from coast to coast and offering a variety of name brand shoes to
men, women and children, according to Shawn Brooks, a regional
manager for the chain.
Rack Room works in conjunction with Shoes That Fit, an
organization that helps get kids who need shoes a free pair.
“We raise money to help children in need at a local elementary
school at every one of our stores,” said Brooks. The school the
Kokomo branch will work with hasn’t been determined yet.
Rack Room matches dollar for dollar the amount raised at each
store, where it’s their hope that customers donate to the cause.
“That works out phenomenally. We take care of a lot of kids, and
it’s rewarding for our staff and obviously for the kids who get new
shoes, that aren’t usually fortunate enough to have them,” said
Brooks.
Someone from the organization works through a liaison at the
school to make sure the money, in the form of a gift card, gets to
where it needs to go.
“Every dollar goes right in the local community. It’s not shared
nationally and divvied out or anything – it’s all local,” said Brooks.
KOKOMO RABBIT HOLE
The Kokomo Rabbit Hole, sitting just in front of Kokomo
Municipal Stadium at 416 S. Union St., wasn’t always planned to
be rentable venue. Before that, it was a place for Rusty Stewart, its
owner, and his friends to hang out.
The facility boasts plenty of seating area, several games, such as
pool and shuffleboard, and TVs in just about every corner. The
large wooden bar was built by Stewart, his brother and nephew.
“It isn’t a banquet hall; it actually feels homey,” said Stewart. “You’re
not spread out - you can actually see each other.”
Stewart said the facility is perfect for just about any type of event,
listing wedding receptions, birthday parties and Christmas or
other holiday parties as some of the possibilities.
After opening in May, Stewart said people held quite a few
graduation parties there.
The owners do have a liquor license, so alcohol can be served at
events, but according to Stewart, an all-ages event would be just as
welcome.
The Kokomo Indoor Golf Simulator is just downstairs, and that
can be rented out for larger parties as well.
Although it’s only available for private parties, there is one
exception. The facility is open for two hours before every
Jackrabbits game. In that time, visitors can have free pizza and
soda along with a chance to see what the former Elks Club looks
like inside.
“Because from the road, it looks like it’s still the Elks Club,” said
Stewart. “People don’t really know what it looks like until they
come inside and take a look at it.”
Left
Rusty Stewart, seen here July 6, 2016, has made the Kokomo Rabbit Hole available for rent. It is located next to Kokomo Municipal Stadium and above
Stewart’s other business, Kokomo Indoor Golf Simulator.
Center
Alex Clark from Maverick Security Solutions works on the wiring for security, televisions
and internet in the new downtown restaurant and bar, Wings Etc., Sept. 1, 2016.
Right
The interior of The Wildcat restaurant on June 22, 2016. The new
restaurant in downtown Kokomo serves farm-to-fork dishes.
