I always thought Traders Point Shopping Center was an upscale place and I still do. In the beginning, it had several nice restaurants along 86th Street. Originally there were Chili’s, Abuelos, Longhorn, and Macaroni Grill. Later on, there was Panera at the west end. I don’t consider any of those fast food places. Yes, Wendy’s is at the corner of 86th and Zionsville Road but was there before Traders Point Shopping Center went in.

Then things changed. Macaroni Grill went out of business and nothing replaced it. It has been vacant for years. Abuelos went out of business and Chef Mike’s moved in. After about a year Mike retired and closed down his business. Shortly after that Luciana’s moved into Chef Mike’s location.

This brings me to Chickens. At the July 13th meeting of the Pike Township Residents Association, we had the following presentation;

5720 West 86th Street – 2022-CAP-841/2022-CVR-841 Dos Primos Capital Group requests 1) Modification of Commitments related to petition 2003-ZON-102 to modify Commitment 5.c to allow for Lot 2 to be split into two lots resulting in seven total outlots (previous commitment limited the number of outlots to six), and 2) Variance of Development Standards to provide for drive-through service unit and stacking spaces in the front yard along 86th Street (not permitted). Current zoning C-S. Council District 1. Hearing date 7/28/22, Hearing Examiner. Presenter is Joe Calderon. Chairperson is Mark Nordmeyer, PTRA Vice-President, District I.

In layman’s terms, they wanted to take the old Macaroni Grill lot and split it into two lots. The east lot would be the old Macaroni Grill building. The west lot, which was the parking lot for Macaroni Grill would become Slim Chickens, a fast food chicken place with a drive-through.

Click here for PDF

After much discussion as to what will happen to the Macaroni Grill building, the traffic flow, landscaping, etc. the Board members of Pike Township Residents Association supported it. The Pike Township Residents Association Board vote is not binding. The City is strongly influenced by our vote. On July 28th, the City supported it.

This might be what it will look like;

Although it seems odd to me, I guess having an open business is better than having an empty business building sit for many years.

Chicken has become a big thing.

Tim