Small Fort Wayne

As Fort Wayne, Indiana is filled with restaurants that are big business franchises and chains, hole-in-the-walls and family businesses are hard to come by. But it is these businesses with their own distinct characteristics that influence the ambience of a town. It is no surprise that this town is filled with American big business; ask a random person in town about where to eat for dinner and they response will mostly likely (83%) to recommend a place that exists in multiple locations (many exist outside of this town).

It's been almost two full years of being this is town and I've found a number of small business that are marvelous. Most recently, Marv (all the credit goes to her) and I stumbled upon a snow cone shack, Summer Sno. It is located at 2426 California Ave, Fort Wayne, IN; for some reason it isn't on Google Maps (actually blurred out on Street View). The employee was extremely friendly as you would expected from a small shop; and it certainly doesn't hurt that the prices are low, sizes are oversized, and most importantly, they don't skimp on the syrup (unlike those massed produced snow cone). I sure do love Snow Cones! (That reminds me, this town doesn't have enough ice cream trucks)

The past year or so, many more small businesses have appeared in this town; it is a terrific for Fort Wayne. Showing it's diversity, a charming bành mì (Vietnamese sandwiches) shop (Banh Mi Barista), a family Greek place where they yell "Opa!" when a customer walks in (Pita Village), and a Malaysian/Thai/Japanese restaurant (Ichiban) opened recently. It's astounding to see the great personal service and genuine emotion for the restaurant which is rare in the big business restaurants. Hopefully more quality small businesses open in the near future.