NEWS
Rehabilitation Puts South Bend Garage Back in Service
Historic building finds new use as offices, a brewery, restaurant, and duckpin bowling.
Back in Service
At the western edge of South Bend’s downtown, the Spenner Garage once thrived as a high-profile automotive repair hub. In more recent years, the building’s blocked‑in storefront and dreary exterior allowed it to fade into the background. Today, the historic garage is a vital part of the city once again, following a more than $2.9 million rehabilitation for use as Ivy Alley Social House, a lively destination housing a brewery, restaurant, and duckpin bowling. The rehabilitated building also serves as the new home of Indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office, furthering our track record as an active partner in downtown revitalization.
The Spenner Company opened the garage at 321 West Wayne Street on February 14, 1926, promoting that era’s version of the “10‑minute oil change,” promising “one‑minute service” across eight staffed service bays. The garage’s lower level showcased new and used cars.
Around 1930, the building became home to Nye Holycross Co., and over the decades, the garage housed a succession of automotive-related and service businesses. By 2024 the building’s fate was uncertain its use as a warehouse and office disguised by sheet metal covering the original masonry, and vegetation growing out of the leaking and rotted roof.
Despite the garage’s neglected appearance, Indiana Landmarks board member Regina Emberton and her husband, Brad, saw promise in the building’s bow‑truss roof, simple 1920s façade, and prime downtown location. The couple brought relevant experience to the project; they had previously completed adaptive reuse of the former South Bend Armory by transforming it into an event space and restaurant.
At the same time, Indiana Landmarks and South Bend TradeWorks recognized the building’s potential for use as a salvage shop, offices and income-generating leased space and were negotiating a possible purchase. An intern developed floor plans and a vision for restoring the façade. We joined the Embertons early in the planning process, sharing technical documents as they formed Historic Hearthstone LLC to pursue the garage’s rehabilitation. Our willingness to commit as a tenant helped them advance the project, which was financed through a mix of tax increment financing, tax abatements, grants from the City of South Bend, and private investment.
Historic Hearthstone purchased the Spenner Garage in 2024 and began by removing decades of outdated wiring, plumbing, and partitions to reveal the open roof trusses and original floor plan. Seeking an anchor tenant to complement office space, they found the right fit in Ivy Alley Social House, developed by Nathan Klein and his parents, David and Karen Klein. A nine-month build-out of the 17,000 square-foot building wrapped up last December with a soft opening just before Christmas. Underscoring their commitment to supporting preservation, Historic Hearthstone is leasing the lower-level former showroom at no cost to Indiana Landmarks’ affiliate South Bend TradeWorks for use as a salvage shop, which opened in summer 2024.
“It’s a night and day difference from when we first walked into the building to now, from a dilapidated boarded-up building to the restored masonry and beautiful storefront windows that invite you inside,” says Regina Emberton. “We’re proud to be part of making this a vibrant hub for the community.”
The project adds momentum to other recent downtown revitalization efforts, including the $50 million renovation of nearby Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, along with new apartments and restaurants. With its proximity to the ballpark, Ivy Alley Social House is well positioned to become a gathering place for baseball fans and the broader community.
Since moving into our space in December, we’ve put it to work hosting workshops and social gatherings. Its location exemplifies what we advocate: high-quality, respectful rehabilitation that supports economic revitalization.
“This is our Northern Regional Office’s eighth move since its creation,” notes Todd Zeiger, vice president, heritage trades and director of Indiana Landmarks’ northern office. “We’ve always used relocations to help save historic buildings before moving on to the next challenge. And yes, we’re already scouting the next one.”
“Visitors are rediscovering this vintage garage, and we’re thrilled to be part of its new life,” he adds. Learn more at ivyalley.com.
This article appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Indiana Preservation, Indiana Landmarks’ member magazine.
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