LaSalle Hospitality opens The L Wine Bar in Elkhart's downtown River District

After about a 1½-year closure, the former 530 Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in the heart of Elkhart’s rapidly-developing River District opened Feb. 29 under new ownership and a new name.

The wine bar was open for only about half a year before the death of its owner, Carl Tiedemann, a longtime Elkhart area developer with a passion for wine, resulted in its closure in July 2022.

Eventually, the Tiedemann family contacted South Bend restaurateur Mark McDonnell and his daughter Laurel Marnocha about their interest in taking over management of the Lex 530 event space as well as the adjacent wine bar.

“The Tiedemanns were long-time patrons at LaSalle Grill, so we knew each other,” Marnocha says, explaining why the family reached out to them. At the same time, the Tiedemanns knew that LaSalle Hospitality Group was interested in growing into Elkhart.

The Lex 530, or the Metropolitan Event Center, provides flexible space for up to 250 people as well as ample parking. It also has an oversized kitchen to support the event center and the wine bar.

LaSalle Hospitality took over operations at the event center late last year and the kitchen is now the main location for LaSalle catering operations, under the direction of Chef Ian Woodiel, who has about 18 years of experience ― largely at LaSalle Grill.

After months of work, the wine bar reopened on Feb. 29 with the same furnishings but now painted in a deep pine green and decorated with large colorful murals by local artist Lauren Steinhofer, a long-time friend of LaSalle who has painted many bands while they have performed at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern.

Though the former 530 Wine Bar sign is still hanging out front, the space has been renamed The L Wine Bar and signage should be changed soon.

Besides catering, Woodiel also will serve as chef at the adjacent L Wine Bar, which offers appetizers and small plates from about $12 to $22, entrees ― such as grilled Elk tenderloin, lamb lollipops and pan-seared duck ― ranging from $20 to $40 and even salads, soups and desserts.

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Wines can be purchased by the bottle or by the glass via systems that ensure it doesn’t oxidize. Prices by the glass range from $6 for a Chenin Blanc or Rose to $30 for a Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon or $36 for a Jusin Isosceles red blend.

"We have a diverse selection of 22 wines that can be ordered by the glass and a wide range of over 100 wines by the bottle," Dvorak says. "And our list is growing."

And for those who aren’t interested in wines, the bar also offers a few beers and eight cocktails that are made without distilled spirits because it only has a two-way license from the state, says Marnocha, who took over ownership of LaSalle Hospitality from her father three years ago.

While still awaiting a new sign to hang above the entrance, the L Wine Bar also plans to add unique wall booth seating that is being custom built locally and will be installed along the wall across from the bar, says Casey Dvorak, general manager of LaSalle Hospitality and a sommelier.

The wine bar has tables for those who want a more focused experience with their significant other or friends. But Marnocha and Dvorak hope the raised booths create somewhat of a gathering spot near the bar, which has limited seating.

“The idea is to create a space where people can mill around a bit,” Marnocha says.

Stay tuned for more. The wine bar is still a work in progress thanks to adjacent space that’s currently separated by a sliding barn door.

That gives the L Wine Bar the opportunity to create more of a lounge where customers might be able to settle into cushioned seating while enjoying wine and small plates, for example, or space that might be used for larger tastings and pairings.

With Artisan, Essence, the Vine, Jackson Rooftop among those already in downtown Elkhart, Marnocha previously jumped into the market last year by acquiring the nearby Brass Elk Brewing under LaMa Enterprises, a sister company of LaSalle Hospitality.

With hundreds of new apartments already open in the downtown area and hundreds more coming, she sees a bright future for the downtown area, especially in the River District, which is being developed into a walkable enclave.

Marnocha hopes to help fulfill the vision of the Tiedemann family, which aimed to create a community gathering spot in downtown Elkhart with the wine bar and event center.

Lunch specials already have been added on Fridays and Saturdays, offering customers a sandwich, a side and soup or salad for $15. Other promotions include half-off wine bottles on Tuesdays and flatbreads and wine flights on Wednesdays.

Hours are currently 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

“I’ve always wanted to have a wine bar,” Marnocha says. “But I want it to be approachable, fun and relaxed.”

Have you heard

The University Park Mall marked its 45th anniversary on Thursday, March 14 with a rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, The Suit Co. and LoveSac opened new stores in the mall and KPot Korean BBQ and Asian Hot Pot opened in the space previously occupied by Bar Louie until it relocated to the Grandview development northeast of the mall a few years ago.

Market Basket: Still going strong. UP Mall gets ready to mark 45th anniversary.

Only eight tickets are still available for for Culinary Crossroadsevent that will be held March 26 beginning at 6 p.m. at Elcona Country Club in Bristol. Chefs Sylvia Awald of West on Warren in Middlebury, Chris Janowsky of Artisan in Elkhart and Robert Standen of Ruhe 152 in Nappanee will collaborate on a multi-course menu featuring a variety of passed hors d'oeuvres with complimentary sparkling wine, beer and a signature cocktail and a four-course wine-paired meal. The purpose of Culinary Crossroads is to highlight the culinary talent throughout Indiana. For ticket information, email Culinary Crossroads at Info@CulinaryCrossroads.org. Cost is $350 for a pair and $1,200 for a table for eight.

Email Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Elkhart's rapidly-developing River District gains new wine bar