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Enjoy the Mizpah Shrine Circus - a thrilling spectacle filled with amazing acts, dazzling performances, and fun for the whole family! Don’t miss out on this classic event that’s sure to delight both kids and adults alike. But that’s not all! Bundle up for the Winter Cozy: Fire & Ice event - the grand finale of the 2025 Winterval! Experience the magic of ice sculptor contests, mesmerizing fire dancers, live music, and tons of family-friendly activities. It's the perfect way to celebrate the winter season with your loved ones! Mizpah Shrine Circus: 4000 Parnell Ave Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/mizpah-shrine-circus-tickets/artist/2836220 Winter Cozy: Fire and Ice: 202 Superior St Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Get ready for an exciting weekend in Fort Wayne! Savor Fort Wayne is back, and it’s your chance to indulge in culinary delights from some of the best local restaurants! From January 15-26 enjoy special menus and delicious deals at participating eateries. Treat your taste buds to a flavor-packed experience you won't want to miss! Plus, don’t miss the End of Season Sale at Painted Tree! This Saturday only, score amazing deals on home decor, gifts, and more from local artisans and vendors. It’s the perfect opportunity to find unique treasures while supporting our creative community! Mark your calendars and get ready for a weekend filled with delicious food and fabulous finds! Savor Fort Wayne: full restaurant list here https://www.visitfortwayne.com/savor/ Painted Tree End of Season Sale: 4020 W Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Get ready for an enchanting weekend filled with winter magic and thrilling adventures! Meet the Frozen Princesses! Enjoy ice skating, autographs, and picture opportunities with your favorite frosty friends! Bring your family and friends for a magical day on the ice! For the teens out there, don’t miss out on the Exclusive Escape Room at the Bell Mansion! Dive into a world of mystery and challenge your friends (ages 14-17 only) to solve puzzles and escape before time runs out! Gather your crew and make some unforgettable memories this weekend. Who's ready to skate and escape? Winter Wonderland Meet & Greet: 333 S Clinton St Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Escape Room | An Exclusive Event for Teens 14-17 at The Bell Mansion: 420 W Wayne St Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Today, we are visiting the intersection of Calhoun Street and Wayne Street in downtown Fort Wayne,Indiana. On the northeastern corner of this intersection, you may remember G.C. Murphy Co., also known as Murphy's Department Store. Murphy's was founded by entrepreneur George Clinton Murphy in 1906 and quickly grew to a 500-store chain across the United States. The Fort Wayne location opened on October 25th, 1950, and it was a very popular downtown department store along with Wolf & Dessauer and Patterson-Fletcher. This location was also one of the chain's largest volume stores! Murphy's sold quite literally everything from sheet music to hamsters. Its special features included small listening rooms to listen to records, along with a mini restaurant and candy counter. The store sold freshly made donuts which you could see from the windows outside. These donuts can still be enjoyed at Cindy's Diner as they purchased the original donut machine. Outside, during the holiday season, an arch with a tree on top spanned the intersection of Wayne and Calhoun for many years. The raising of this arch became a highly anticipated tradition among locals, much like Night of Lights today.  Sadly for many, Murphy's closed at the beginning of 1992 as "The Last Downtown Department Store", and modern holiday decorations replaced the arch as a new building was built a few years later. Today, Indiana Office Center (known locally as the Wells Fargo Building) sits across from One Summit Square, a popular spot for holiday photos with the giant vintage "Merry Christmas" wreath. Indiana Office Center  has housed many tenants over the years, and the land site has lots of good Fort Wayne history. Murphy's was a great part of downtown Fort Wayne's retail scene, but now it's time to bring a new vision to the site. You could do just that by leasing space at Indiana Office Center, to learn more about the current building click the link below: https://sturgesproperty.com/properties/indiana-office-center Historic image courtesy of Allen County Public Library. We would like to give a special shout-out to Kendall Stevens and Amy Schuldt of Sturges Property Group for the photography and copy in this article. If you enjoyed reading this article check back every month to see what new historical property Sturges Property Group has to share.

As the weekend approaches, Fort Wayne has a perfect blend of festive cheer and wedding inspiration. This weekend is your last opportunity to experience the enchanting Parkview Field Holiday Light Display, along with the highly anticipated Winter Bridal Spectacular. Whether you're looking to bask in the glow of holiday lights or plan your dream wedding, Fort Wayne has something special awaiting you! Last Chance for Parkview Field Holiday Light Display: Get ready to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at Parkview Field, where the Holiday Light Display is wrapping up its season. This dazzling spectacle features over 1.5 million twinkling lights, transforming the stadium into a magical experience for visitors of all ages. Stroll through the illuminated pathways, snap photos with the iconic light installations, and enjoy festive music that adds to the ambiance. Don’t forget to warm up with some hot cocoa. This is your last chance to soak in the holiday spirit before the lights are put away for the season! Winter Bridal Spectacular: If you're in the midst of wedding planning or just dreaming about your big day, the Winter Bridal Spectacular is a must-visit event. The event will be featuring everything you need to make your wedding unforgettable. Explore a vast array of vendors, from stunning florists and talented photographers to exquisite bridal shops and caterers. The event will showcase the latest trends in wedding decor, dresses, and more. Attendees will also have the chance to win fabulous prizes. Whether you're a bride-to-be, a bridesmaid, or just a wedding enthusiast, this event promises to inspire and excite. With both the Parkview Field Holiday Light Display and the Winter Bridal Spectacular happening this weekend, Fort Wayne is the place to be. Gather your friends and family to enjoy the last flickers of holiday magic and gather inspiration for your special day. Parkview Light Display: 1301 Ewing St Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Winter Bridal Spectacular: 4000 Parnell Ave Fort Wayne, IN Pre-Registration: https://www.louiestuxshop.com/fortwaynebridalspectacular?_gl=1*1i2qwxo*_gcl_au*MTUxNDg0NzIzLjE3MzU2ODY3MDM.*_ga*MTM3NzE1NjYyMC4xNzM1Njg2NzAz*_ga_CRVN3EZ40N*MTczNTY4NjcwMi4xLjAuMTczNTY4NjcwMi4wLjAuMA ..

Most-loved music retailer earns 10 Comparably Awards for workplace excellence in 2024   Sweetwater, the No. 1 online retailer for music makers, today announced it has been awarded a total of 10 Comparably Awards during 2024, most recently earning recognition for Best Company Culture and Best CEO. These accolades rank Sweetwater among the country’s top company cultures, alongside companies like Adobe and TopGolf, and place Sweetwater’s CEO, Mike Clem, among an exclusive group of standout chief executives, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella.   Comparably (a ZoomInfo company) is a recognized, third-party workforce survey platform, and rankings are based on anonymous employee feedback to 50 data-driven questions spanning nearly 20 key workplace culture metrics.   In 2024, Sweetwater won Comparably Awards for 10 different categories—a testament to Sweetwater’s holistic approach to nurturing a people-centric culture. Sweetwater prioritizes training and professional development, and continuously assesses its benefits package to ensure the company continues to be a national leader with employee wellbeing resources and amenities such as an onsite medical clinic, health club, adoption assistance, and many more.   “We pride ourselves on caring for our people and serving with heart. These values are embedded throughout the Sweetwater culture, and in all that we do for our people and our communities,” explained Jeff Ostermann, Chief People & Culture Officer at Sweetwater. “It starts at the top—and Mike Clem leads by example, cultivating a workplace where employees can grow, thrive, and pursue work that is both challenging and rewarding.”   The 10 accolades from Comparably during 2024 include: The Best CEO, Best Company Culture, Best Company Outlook, Best Company Work-Life Balance, Best Company Perks & Benefits, Happiest Employees, Best Leadership Teams, Best Career Growth, Best Sales Teams, and Best Company Compensation.   “Comparably’s Best Places to Work Awards are an invaluable benchmark for organizations striving to create positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace cultures," said Chad Herring, CHRO of ZoomInfo. "These lists recognize companies that prioritize employee satisfaction, transparency, and growth, which are essential to attracting and retaining top talent. It is a testament to their efforts and ongoing commitment to continuously enhancing the work experience for every team member.” About Sweetwater The No. 1 online retailer for music makers, Sweetwater is trusted and beloved by millions of musicians, sound engineers, band and orchestra directors, and podcasters who rely on the company to help advance their musical and creative journeys. From beginners to rock stars, music makers everywhere seek out Sweetwater’s industry-leading expertise, including in-depth product videos to inform their purchases and unrivaled post-care support. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and founded in 1979, Sweetwater Sound, LLC credits its four decades of profitability to its 2,300 employees and its deep understanding of the profound connection that music makers have with their craft, their gear and the creative process. Sweetwater is amplifying change through music, lifting up communities by creating, empowering, and caring about the music makers of tomorrow and today. For more information, visit: https://www.sweetwater.com/ . About Comparably Comparably (a ZoomInfo company) is a leading workplace culture and corporate brand reputation platform with over 20 million anonymous ratings on 70,000 companies. With the most comprehensive data on large and SMB organizations in nearly 20 different workplace categories — based on gender, ethnicity, age, experience, title, industry, location and education — it is one of the most used SaaS platforms for employer branding and a trusted third-party site for workplace culture and compensation data. For more information on Comparably and its annual Best Places to Work, Best CEOs and Best Brands series, visit www.comparably.com .

Exciting developments are underway at O’Daniel Automotive Group, where a brand-new, standalone facility dedicated to Porsche vehicles is taking shape near Meijer off Illinois Road. This innovative move will separate the existing Porsche operations from Audi Fort Wayne, allowing both luxury brands to thrive in their own state-of-the-art locations. The transformation begins with the former Hires building at 5809 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, 46804 which is currently being remodeled into a cutting-edge Porsche service center and showroom. Having represented the Porsche brand since 1990, O’Daniel Automotive Group is poised to create a defining moment for Porsche Fort Wayne, establishing an exclusive facility that captures the essence of the Porsche experience. In a recent conversation, Greg O’Daniel shared his vision for the new Porsche Center. “This exclusive Generation 5 facility is designed to enhance the customer experience and reflect the Porsche brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Our new facility will feature eight advanced service bays, equipped with the latest technology to ensure seamless maintenance and repair services. The showroom will be fully immersed in technology, designed to assist customers in selecting and customizing the Porsche of their dreams,” he explained. While the service center will primarily focus on Porsche and other luxury vehicles, O’Daniel assured that their skilled technicians will also be capable of servicing a variety of other makes and models, ensuring comprehensive care for all customers. Scheduled to open in the summer of 2025, the new Porsche Fort Wayne is set to elevate the competitive automotive landscape off Illinois Road in Southwest Fort Wayne. This ambitious project not only reinforces O’Daniel Automotive Group’s commitment to excellence but also promises to enhance the overall customer experience for Porsche enthusiasts in Fort Wayne. We want to give a huge thank you to Greg O'Daniel at the O'Daniel Automotive Group for his time and information for this article.

Get ready for a fun-filled weekend that you won't want to miss! Get ready to celebrate the grand opening of Jungle George’s! Bring the whole family to experience the magic of the long awaited opening of the new facility equipped with new bounce houses, mini golf, arcades and more! Looking to get a jump on your holiday shopping? Check out the Christmas Market at the Deck! With unique gifts, festive treats, and a joyful atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to find something special for everyone on your list. Vintage lovers, rejoice! The Indiana Vintage Market is back and better than ever! Discover a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind items, from retro clothing to antique decor. Still have gifts to wrap this holiday season? Bring them to Sassie Cakes and let the amazing team from Heartland Cavalier Connection Inc. do the wrapping for you! All you need to do is drop off your presents along with a donation, and they’ll take care of the rest. It’s a win-win: you get beautifully wrapped gifts, and you support a great cause! And don’t forget to stop by the Candy Cane Corner Pop Up Shop! It’s the sweetest spot in town, filled with delightful treats, shopping, and festive cheer. Mark your calendars and gather your friends and family for a weekend of fun, shopping, and holiday spirit! Grand Opening of Jungle George’s: 4780 N. Clinton St Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Christmas Market at the Deck: 305 E Superior St Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Indiana Vintage Market 7 Fort Wayne: 120 W Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Heartland Cavalier Connection Inc Gift Wrapping Fundraiser: 1014 Broadway Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Candy Cane Corner Pop Up Shop: 1801 Lake Ave Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Aunt Millie’s Bakeries celebrated the holidays by donating more than 3,000 loaves of bread to three different local food banks earlier this month. They donated 233 to Boomerang Backpacks, 2,500 to Community Harvest Food Bank and 900 to St. Mary Mother of God Church. The beloved tradition of donating bread during the most wonderful time of the year started in 2009. Since then, Aunt Millie’s has donated more than 700,000 loaves across the Midwest.   This year alone, they’re donating more than 70,000 loaves of their Seeded Italian Bread, which are speckled with sesame seeds and loaded with rustic flavor. 40 food banks in 35 different cities will get to share this bread with their community. Aunt Millie’s is hoping these donations will spread some joy to the families who need it most.   “Aunt Millie’s has been family owned since 1901,” Aunt Millie’s President John Popp said. “Our company has been very fortunate, and our team feels blessed to be able to help put bread on the table for families who are going through a difficult time.”   Aunt Millie’s started donating in November and will continue until the end of December. The bread will be donated to Feeding America-affiliated food banks in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids/Comstock Park and Lansing, Michigan; Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Muncie and South Bend, Indiana; Chicago, Geneva and Urbana, Illinois; Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and Lima, Ohio; and to other charities in Coldwater and Jackson, Michigan; and Sidney, Ohio.    Short story of Aunt Millie’s bakery: Founded in 1901, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is a family-owned commercial bakery headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is one of the largest commercial baking and distribution companies in the United States. Its brands include Aunt Millie’s, Live Carb Smart®, Sunbeam and Hillbilly Bread. Aunt Millie’s also produces private-label products for major retailers and fast-food restaurants. For more information, visit AuntMillies.com .

Get ready for a magical weekend in Fort Wayne! Here’s what’s happening: Hot Cocoa with Santa at Evan’s Toyota: Gather the family for a heartwarming experience with Santa while sipping on delicious hot cocoa! Warm up with festive cheer and maybe even snap a photo or two! Breakfast with Santa at St. Joseph Township: Start your morning with a smile and a hearty breakfast alongside the jolly man in red! Enjoy tasty treats and make memories that will last a lifetime. Biker Santa and The Grinch Photos at Harley Davidson: Don’t miss your chance to meet Biker Santa and the mischievous Grinch! Capture the perfect holiday photo with these iconic characters and share some laughs! Mark your calendars and bring your holiday spirit! Let’s make this weekend one to remember in Fort Wayne! Hot Coco with Santa: 515 W Coliseum Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Breakfast with Santa: 6033 Maplecrest Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Biker Santa & The Grinch Are Back!: 6315 Illinois Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46804