Historic Schaab building to become home to Mitchell’s and Flashbacks

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – We have learned what will be going into the former Schaab Metal Products building on North Harrison. It will soon be home to Mitchell’s and Flashbacks Downtown.

The sports restaurant and dance club are both owned and operated by Todd Smith, who also owns and operates Mitchell’s Sports Bar & Entertainment Center, 6179 W Jefferson Blvd., and the former Flashbacks on The Landing.

The City released the following:

The 40,000-square-foot Schaab building is located at 1216 N Harrison Street, near the Harrison Street bridge across from Promenade Park.

Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker announced that the historic Schaab Metal Products building along the riverfront, 1216 N. Harrison St., will soon be home to Mitchell’s Downtown and Flashbacks Downtown.

The sports restaurant and dance club are both owned and operated by Todd Smith, who also owns and operates Mitchell’s Sports Bar & Entertainment Center, 6179 W Jefferson Blvd., and the former Flashbacks on The Landing. Mitchell’s Downtown will offer a family-friendly restaurant featuring a scratch kitchen, upscale bar menu, an outdoor patio and big screen TVs showing sporting events. Flashbacks Downtown will be a dance club on the second floor of the Schaab building and will feature a second-story patio overlooking the riverfront. Both are expected to open in mid- to late-2026.

The entertainment hub will transition seamlessly into the public Riverfront Fort Wayne phase IIB space, which is expected to open in 2026 and will include an esplanade, hammock grove, cascading steps and boulder climbing mound.

“I’m encouraged to see continued investments by the private sector along our riverfront. These are vital amenities that help Fort Wayne be a fun, family friendly, and safe community for residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Mayor Tucker. “Each time we create spaces for the public to enjoy, we’re enhancing the quality of life for all and providing opportunities for growth and new ventures to better position our community now and in the future.”

“I’m excited to bring the success of Mitchell’s southwest and the sports bar concept to downtown Fort Wayne,” said Smith. “And I’m equally excited to revive Flashbacks and bring a great dance club back to our city. Together with the outstanding design of the Schaab building and the proximity to Riverfront Fort Wayne, I know visitors will appreciate these first-class venues.”

In 2023, the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission approved the sale of the Schaab Metal Products building to Schaab Riverfront Plaza LLC., a development group led by local developer Don Steininger. Since that time, Steininger has invested $8 million into the adaptive reuse of the building. The building retains its existing brick façade and late 19th century character while updates to the 40,000 square-foot space include outdoor patios and enclosed glass staircase with riverfront views. Mitchell’s and Flashbacks will occupy 37 percent of the building; space will also be leased to an additional restaurant and other businesses.

“It’s exciting to see the continued progress of the Riverfront Fort Wayne vision,” said Jonathan Leist, director of the City’s Community Development Division. “The thousands of residents who helped shape Riverfront plans with their input expressed the desire for active and vibrant spaces. The revitalization of the Schaab building and addition of these entertainment and dining options help achieve that vision while preserving the existing building through adaptive reuse.”