Features

News Through Scalable Assembly, Start Fort Wayne and Elevate Fort Wayne will work together to identify and grow scalable ventures in Northeast Indiana.

Calling all inventors and innovators: This new program is ready to support your venture

Through Scalable Assembly, Start Fort Wayne and Elevate Fort Wayne will work together to identify and grow scalable ventures in Northeast Indiana.

News Designed to support neighborhood revitalization by incentivizing property owners to repair or enhance their property's exterior appearance, Curb Appeal provides matching funds to residents in select Fort Wayne neighborhoods.

New Curb Appeal program from the City of Fort Wayne aims to support neighborhood revitalization

Designed to support neighborhood revitalization by incentivizing property owners to repair or enhance their property's exterior appearance, Curb Appeal provides matching funds to residents in select Fort Wayne neighborhoods.

Feature Story The Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana.

#PlacesofNEI: Make a trip to Shipshewana in Lagrange County

From live performances to shopping, dining, lodging, and more, Shipshewana has many reasons to be on your destination list this year.

Feature Story The Riverfront at Promenade Park is designed of all glass windows on one side with 25,000 square feet of office space, 15,000 square feet of retail space, and a 900 space parking garage.

#PlacesofNEI: A look inside The Riverfront at Promenade Park

Located next to Promenade Park, The Riverfront at Promenade park features apartments, office space, retail space and a parking garage.

Feature Story Kristina Wiley of Gallery K shows some of the fashion in shop, including specialty apparel by ShareChic Boutique.

Fort Wayne artists build community & an ‘art corridor’ on Broadway as Electric Works develops

“We’re hoping it catches on, and people start to migrate up and down Broadway more often to see art. There’s a lot of local art and small businesses to support here, and as it gets to be a busier area, we think it will keep getting better and better.”  

Feature Story Shoaff Park, at the border of the zone in Northeast Fort Wayne identified as lacking adequate park facilities, actually offers the most amenities of any park in the city system, including a large playground area and pavilions.

Community input and support are essential to expanding the reach of park facilities

“We really love parks, and we really value them. And we know that people whose life happens around parks, and in parks, value that as well.”

Partner Content Luz Ostrognai with Catholic Charities demonstrates what a meeting with immigration clients would look like at the Archbishop Noll Catholic Center.

Afghanistan to Fort Wayne: How Catholic Charities’ Immigration Services make a global impact

“My days are usually packed with appointments three months in advance. A lot of times, people need advice about the immigration benefits they can apply for because they don’t know what’s available to them. We have to find a pathway to permanent residence and make a list of all the information required for it. It’s often overwhelming for clients."

News The Pontiac Street Market will offer meats, dairy, fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, a sandwich counter, and grocery pickup.

#PlacesofNEI: Construction has started on the Pontiac Street Market

Construction has officially started on the Pontiac Street Market, a full-service grocery store in southeast Fort Wayne at 918. E. Pontiac St.

Feature Story Disc golfer Hannah Lengel is the highest-rated amateur woman in Indiana and the second-highest-rated woman overall in Indiana.

Disc golfers share why the sport is growing in popularity in Northeast Indiana

“As someone who loves the sport and wants to see it grow, it's been really encouraging. It's a great individual sport, it's a great couple sport, and it's a great group sport.”

Feature Story An image of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

How the Irish built a lasting legacy in Wabash County

“I would say the acknowledgment of that history is somewhat reduced, because of how hard it is to maintain your attachment to another country several hundred years later. But it's definitely present in religious practice here, in some families' surnames and the names of places that are either related to Irish family names or Irish locations.”

Feature Story Saisaki's sushi menu is expansive with unique homages to Fort Wayne.

#PlacesofNEI: Saisaki serves up sushi in the heart of Downtown Fort Wayne

Located in Downtown Fort Wayne, inspired Asian cuisine is what Saisaki is all about.

News The future home of Blue Bottle, Dana's and Night Train on The Landing.

Be Better Hospitality is bringing nightlife back to The Landing

Be Better Hospitality recently announced the start of construction for three beverage-based businesses, taking the spaces once occupied by Bourbon Street Hideaway and Columbia Street West on The Landing.

Feature Story Leitia McHugh, who helped lead the Inclusive Playground Project at Forest Park Elementary School.

Working on a community project? This crowdgranting platform could help you raise funding fast

"We were amazed at how much we were able to do through crowdfunding.”

Feature Story The Asher Agency team.

Three creative marketing firms in Downtown Fort Wayne share their most well-known campaigns

"We’re thrilled to continue to be able to help uplift our community by serving clients who make an irreplaceable impact on those they serve and those they employ."

Feature Story ACME by Full Circle BBQ, formerly ACME Bar & Grill, is located in The 05.

Eating IN: ACME is revived by Full Circle BBQ

Full Circle BBQ has brought back a staple in the 05 neighborhood, the ACME Bar & Grill, but with its own flavor.

Feature Story The BRAVE Alliance's new location at 527 West Berry Street in Downtown Fort Wayne.

#PlacesofNEI: The BRAVE Alliance prepares to move Downtown Fort Wayne

Through community partnerships, BRAVE Alliance believes they can further LGBTQ+-friendly environments to being pillars of excellence in LGBTQIA+ medical, mental health, and support services.

Feature Story Chef Tone Wilson sets up for a small catering event.

How the Fort Wayne chef behind Edith’s Food Shack is growing his catering business through TikTok

“Entrepreneurship is hard, so to see other people in a similar position as you succeed makes a big difference.”

Feature Story Alisha Gil, left and Shirley Rork work for the Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network’s Eviction Intervention Program to help tenants and landlords avoid evictions.

Eviction intervention program helps Allen County tenants stay in their homes

“Having a network of organizations and the ability to talk to each other – it sounds so simple, but it’s extremely important in an effort like this."

Feature Story Rachel Nally, owner of Local Apple Cart, makes an ice cream cone.

Putting the “local” in Local Apple Cart: Meet Rachel Nally, Fort Wayne’s ice cream entrepreneur

“The fresher the cream, the better the ice cream. The fresher the ingredients, the better the ice cream.”

Feature Story Located in the East Hall of Union Street Market, B+B Market also sells a variety of seafood and meats.

#PlacesofNEI: B+B Market, the full-service butcher at the Union Street Market

Located in the East Hall of Union Street Market, B+B Market is a full-service butcher shop that sells a variety of seafood and meats.

Feature Story Destiny Hernandez, 25, is a resident of Fortify Life’s new emergency housing shelter in Auburn. The former hotel has been renovated to offer 13 rooms, with plans for another 14 to open next year.

Regional shelter offers opportunity for reclaimed lives

“There is a problem, but we don't talk about it, and since we don’t talk about it, we can’t solve it."

Feature Story The Declan is a new venue with an old love story at 438 Baker St. in Downtown Fort Wayne.

A love story lives on in Downtown Fort Wayne at the Declan, a historic venue for parties and events

“We hope it is self-evident when you stay here how much love has been shared within these walls and how much care went into the renovations.”

Feature Story Local leaders and housing advocates discuss the elements of a healthy neighborhood.

Fort Wayne Media Collaborative Healthy Neighborhoods Panel Discussion

Local leaders and housing advocates discuss the elements of a healthy neighborhood, the challenges communities face in designing, building, and maintaining healthy neighborhoods and possible solutions to those challenges.

Feature Story Chimney Cakes Bakery & Caffè is located at 1202 W. Main Street.

#PlacesofNEI: Chimney Cakes Bakery & Caffè shares authentic Transylvanian pastries with Fort Wayne

Local farmers market staple, Chimney Cakes, has opened a brick-and-mortar bakery and caffè selling their authentic Transylvanian pastry.

Feature Story Letha Hill, Front Desk Attendant, hands out a key card during her shift at Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Fort Wayne.

What's it like to live in Downtown Fort Wayne? Try it with a staycation

While there's no substitute for actually moving to the city center, you can get a taste of the experience by taking a staycation Downtown.   

Feature Story Peppered Tuna from Twenty at the Charley Creek Inn.

Fort Wayne isn't the only city with culinary talent: Meet 5 chefs making great food in Wabash County

Here are five Wabash County chefs to watch and where to find them.

Feature Story “Na Krylah Nadi,” which translates to “On Wings Of Hope," is a fifteen foot wide art installation Downtown Fort Wayne.

#PlacesofNEI: Ukrainian inspired Art This Way installation unveiled in Downtown Fort Wayne

Art This Way partnered with the Public Art Commission, City of Fort Wayne, Arts United, and Fort Wayne Sister Cities International to unveil a new installation in Downtown Fort Wayne.

Feature Story In 2022, the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association won the AARP Community Challenge grant, which it used to improve Wells Street Park.

How are Fort Wayne neighborhoods becoming more livable? These projects are making a difference

“Neighbors weren’t coming out of their homes, and we weren’t doing community events. The Community Challenge grant was a huge catalyst to help us reengage our neighbors by activating public spaces and then hosting events in those public spaces.”

Feature Story Cambry Hicks is Senior Curator at Cinema Center.

Celebrate Black History Month with films and events at Fort Wayne Cinema Center

"We don't tend to focus on the Black experience, as a whole. There's laughter; there's sadness; there are so many different layers to what that experience is, and who that experience is for."

Feature Story Christine Paul with quilting students.

Quilt makers in Wabash share how their craft can impact a community

 “I take scraps and one thing leads to another. Every quilt has a visual art to it, whether it’s today’s modern art or yesterday’s treasures. There’s always something that draws the eye in.”

Feature Story Kara Hackett, Editor-At-Large, and Brittany Smith, Managing Editor

Letter from the Editors: A staff transition is underway at Input

Input Fort Wayne editors Kara Hackett and Brittany Smith share details of a new staff transition within Input.

Feature Story Students prepare to pitch their business plan for a chance to win $5,000.

Meet three rising student businesses in Northeast Indiana

Three student finalists from the Grace College Business Plan Competition share their entrepreneurial plans.

Feature Story While there are many factors that contribute to Indiana’s poor health rankings, PATH4YOU is hoping to make an impact through free and accessible contraception for Hoosiers.

This program seeks to improve health outcomes by making contraceptives free & accessible in Indiana

“That grounds a lot of our work in the respect that we want to make sure that no matter whether you want to talk about natural family planning or an IUD that will last 10 years, you get the same amount of care, the same amount of attention, and it's all free. We make sure also that these decisions are patient-centered and led.”

Feature Story Tequila Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is located at 6328 W. Jefferson Boulevard inside Covington Plaza.

#PlacesofNEI: Taste the culinary creativity of the Velazquez brothers at Tequila Mexican Restaurant

Tequila Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is the creation of two brothers, Raúl and Benjamín Velazquez, who immigrated to the United States over two decades ago and have dedicated themselves to the food industry ever since.

Feature Story Philharmonic players and supporters strike in Downtown Fort Wayne. Image courtesy of the Facebook page for the Musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Care about Fort Wayne arts and culture? Here’s what to know about the Philharmonic strike

"If you care about the future of Fort Wayne arts and culture, there are a few reasons this strike should be one of the biggest stories on your radar."

Feature Story Tall Rabbit Cafe is located at 2001 S. Calhoun Street.

#PlacesofNEI: Tall Rabbit Cafe, Fort Wayne's newest cafe, is serving up coffee and opportunities

Tall Rabbit Cafe is a new enterprise from Blue Jacket Inc., which provides tools and opportunities to any adult with a barrier to employment to allow them to earn their chance at gainful employment.

Feature Story The Courtyard is an apartment complex that houses young adults, usually between ages 18 and 24. Priority is given to those who’ve aged out of the foster care system or who have been, or are in danger of becoming, homeless.

Building a Future for Young Adults Aged out of Foster Care

“People who are already in poverty are vulnerable to others who simply don’t care about them. That’s what ends up being an issue for these kids and young adults, because what happens next?”

Feature Story Caroline Braun, Clinical Programs Manager for Parkview Behavioral Health Institute, shows what a normal 1-1 therapy session would look like with a client during a mock session at Park Center, 2710 Lake Ave.

What is harm reduction? This approach to substance use treatment is improving outcomes in Indiana

“It’s easy, especially for people who don’t struggle with SUD, to think people should just be able to stop using drugs. But the success rate of an abstinence-based approach is really low.”

Feature Story Lisa D. Givan is Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Belonging as well as Senior Diversity Officer at Indiana Tech.

Making your workplace more inclusive in 2023? You might consider this Indiana Tech course

“There are a lot of people who have gone through workshops that have given them ‘aha’ moments. We take those ‘aha’ moments and make them applicable.”  

Feature Story Fort Wayne residents from the Southwest Area Partnership (SWAP) collaborate on a community project.

Meet neighborhood leaders in Fort Wayne—and learn how you can get involved

“If you really want to impact change in your community, your neighborhood association and Area Partnership are the best places to start.”  

View All Stories

Featured Focus

Featured Place