Local Newsfeed

At the Fort Wayne Business Journal, we are excited to continue our collaboration with The Fort Wayne Mom, showcasing the vibrant and diverse experiences our city has to offer. In our latest segment, Caroline Britt and her family embarked on a tasty adventure at Moo-Over, an inviting ice cream and dessert shop that has recently found its new home at 6380 W Jefferson Blvd in Fort Wayne after relocating from Columbia City. Moo-Over is committed to crafting mouthwatering treats that cater to everyone’s needs. All of their products are egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and peanut-free, plus select sugar-free and nut-free choices, ensuring that people with dietary restrictions, as well as those without, can enjoy these sweet creations together. Moo-Over was founded by Julie Hurd, a culinary visionary who started the shop out of a personal necessity. As she eloquently states on her website, "I loved ice cream, but ice cream did not love me back." After experiencing the frustration of limited dessert options due to food sensitivities, Julie dedicated herself to creating a space where everyone can indulge without worry. Sourcing many ingredients locally and using clean, organic components, Moo-Over aims to create joy in dessert, regardless of dietary restrictions. The Britt family’s visit to Moo-Over highlighted the essence of what makes this shop special. Upon arrival, Caroline noted the cheerful and welcoming atmosphere, praising the bright decor and warm hospitality of Julie and her staff. “Moo-Over has a happy and cheerful vibe,” Caroline shared. “We loved the details such as the clay plant pots the ice cream is served in and the adorable shovel spoons. These are such fun additions to the shop that the kids especially loved!” The excitement continued with the behind-the-scenes magic of waffle cones being made right before their eyes. In addition to this captivating experience, Moo-Over features a diverse menu that includes hand-dipped ice creams, shakes, tumbleweeds, and sundaes in a variety of unique flavors, as well as coffee drinks and baked goods. The local artistry displayed on the walls enhances the vibrant atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for Caroline and her family to savor the delicious selections available during their visit.  Caroline and her family had the pleasure of sampling an array of delicious treats that quickly became favorites. They began with a flight featuring three unique flavors: Rocky Road, Coffee Crunch, and Cookie Butter Cheesecake, each one earning high praise. Caroline enthusiastically shared their top recommendations, including the Coffee Crunch and Cookies N Cream hand-dipped ice cream served in fresh-made waffle cones, the Turtle Town Sundae, a delightful layering of vanilla soft serve with caramel, hot fudge, candied pecans, and whipped cream, and the Berry Amour Sundae, which features vanilla soft serve in a waffle bowl topped with strawberries and strawberry sauce. Reflecting on their experience, Caroline shared “Julie mentioned that many people without allergies or restrictions love to visit the shop and enjoy the ice cream and treats as well. This ice cream shop is for everyone in the community to enjoy, and that’s one of the reasons we found it so special!" Eager to try everything from the perspective of a family without allergies, the Britt’s were impressed by how all items are made in-house with natural and organic ingredients, allowing them to truly taste the difference. “We loved the flavors of everything we had," she continued. "The kids did not notice or mention a difference from regular ice cream, but savored each bite. Each item tasted so natural and unprocessed, yet extremely delicious and sweet. We loved knowing we were eating clean ingredients without worrying about feeling bad after indulging in some pre-dinner treats. Moo-Over is definitely going to become a more regular spot for our family!” The Britt family left Moo-Over eager to return for more delicious treats. When asked what they were looking forward to on their next visit, Caroline shared, “We can’t wait to go back! Next time, we’d love to try one of the delicious-looking Tumbleweeds, a brownie sundae, and some of the baked goods such as cookies and donuts! We’re also excited to try their seasonal Christmas flavors as the holidays approach.” Caroline expressed her enthusiasm for having such an amazing and unique shop in the Fort Wayne community, adding, “We couldn’t recommend Moo-Over more!” Their experience clearly left a sweet impression, and they’re already looking forward to their next visit.  As Fort Wayne continues to grow, so too does the importance of inclusivity in dining options. Moo-Over stands as a shining example of how local businesses can innovate to ensure everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can enjoy sweet treats together.  Whether you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, or just seeking mouthwatering desserts made from clean ingredients, make sure to visit Moo-Over and dive into the delicious world of safe, joyful options. We’re honored to have such a vibrant member of the community adding sweetness to our lives! For updates and more information, be sure to follow Moo-Over on social media and experience the joy of indulging in delicious, guilt-free desserts.

As the seasons change and the year begins to wind down, we're excited to bring you the latest market insights, showcase our newest listings, share valuable home safety tips to help you enjoy a safe fall season and highlighting community events. We are especially thankful for our wonderful clients who continue to trust us with their real estate goals. Your confidence and support inspire us to serve our community with dedication, care, and gratitude every day! REAL ESTATE UPDATE - MARKET MOVEMENT FLUCTUATES Late fall/winter are notorious for a slower market. A Lending Tree study found that homebuyers in January 2024 paid about $23,000 less for a 1,500- square-foot home compared to those buying in May, the most expensive month of the year. From 2015 to 2024, summer accounted for the largest share of home sales (29.1%), while winter saw the fewest (20.2%), showing that most Americans prefer to buy in warmer months. This data is no surprise to us! The market continues to show signs of stabilization rather than runaway growth: statewide median sale price is around $238,009 for homes sold over the past 12 months, according to a recent overview. Property Focus Sales activity has remained somewhat muted with inventories growing, giving buyers somewhat more options and less intense competition. For example, statewide listing activity is up and homes are spending longer on the market relative to the frenzy of the last few years. At the same time, while prices are still rising year- over-year, the pace is modest and buyers may have a little more room to negotiate compared to the tightest peaks of the market. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just curious about your home's value, let's connect and make a plan that works for you. You can still sell your home in this market. It just takes strategy and skill from your local real estate agent! Stay updated on Allen County Real Estate with Emily Ewing at Fort Wayne Business Journal Monthly!

As the air turns crisp and October settles in, the real estate market is still moving with steady momentum. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, investing-or just staying informed—this is a great time to take stock and make strategic moves before the holiday season kicks into full gear. I'm here to help you navigate the market, answer your questions, and support your real estate goals every step of the way! BUYER POWER RISES In Allen County Over the past year, Allen County's housing market has continued its steady climb, with the median home price rising approximately 3.9%. Sales volume is holding firm around 524 homes sold recently, which is signaling sustained buyer interest. Inventory, however, is slowly easing, giving buyers a little more breathing room than the ultra-tight market of recent years. Homes are spending a bit more time on the market as buyer negotiation leverage strengthens slightly. The takeaway: sellers are still achieving solid prices when homes are well-positioned, but buyers today have more options and should move decisively when they find the right property. Existing home sales stayed essentially unchanged in August, but inventories have risen almost 12% the past year, giving buyers more options, while the median price declined for the month, though it's still up a smidge from a year ago. Buyers May Find a Sweet Opportunity, Realtor.com says, Realtor.com notes: "This fall is shaping up to be the most buyer-friendly market in nearly a decade, with more listings and motivated sellers, " adding "buyers may find a rare sweet spot of opportunity. Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just curious about your home's value, let's connect and make a plan that works for you. -Emily Ewing emilye@northeasterngrouprealty.com

Looking for new local businesses in Fort Wayne? Sign up today with the Fort Wayne Business Journal and receive our newsletter. You will find local entrepreneurs stories of the month, Fort Wayne business news, and updates or changes in the business journal. Fort Wayne Business Journal Newsletter First name Last name Email Zip Code I want to subscribe to the newsletter. Message Submit Our Newsletter showcases local business owners and entrepreneurs making a positive and significant difference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We will send out our newsletters Monthly! Sign up for our Free Newsletter at the Fort Wayne Business Journal.

If you have a business idea or story over a business, contact us today! We are looking for people starting a business or owners looking for advertising opportunities, and owners wanting to tell more people about their business. Looking for stories. LET’S CHAT Email us; fwbusinessjournal@gmail.com

Sharing your business story and entrepreneurial journal can be a powerful tool. Business storytelling can help show customers your mission, goals, and the journey it took to achieve success throughout someone's career. Share Your Story First name Last name Company Email Phone Address Message Future Advertising Community Newsletter Submit Share your Entrepreneurial or Business Story Sharing the story of your entrepreneurial journey can be a powerful way to inspire and educate others. By sharing your experiences, successes, failures, and lessons learned, you can provide valuable insights and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs and those who are already on their own entrepreneurial path. Here are a few reasons why sharing your entrepreneurial journey is important: 1. Inspiration: Your story can serve as a source of inspiration for others who are considering starting their own business or facing challenges in their entrepreneurial journey. By sharing your successes and how you overcame obstacles, you can motivate others to pursue their dreams and persevere through difficult times. 2. Learning from failures: Failure is a common part of entrepreneurship, and sharing your failures can help others learn from your mistakes. By openly discussing the challenges you faced and the lessons you learned, you can help others avoid similar pitfalls and make more informed decisions in their own ventures. 3. Building a community: Sharing your entrepreneurial journey can help you connect with like-minded individuals and build a supportive community. By sharing your experiences, you can attract others with similar goals and interests, fostering collaboration, sales, networking, and mentorship opportunities. When sharing your entrepreneurial journey, consider the following tips: Be authentic: Share your story in a genuine and honest way. People appreciate authenticity and can relate to the challenges and triumphs you've experienced. Share practical advice and lessons learned that others can apply to their own entrepreneurial endeavors. Focus on providing value and actionable takeaways. Encourage others to engage with your story by inviting questions and feedback. This can foster meaningful discussions and allow for further learning and growth. Remember, everyone's entrepreneurial journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success. By sharing your story, you can contribute to a diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial community, helping others navigate their own paths and achieve their goals.