GREENFIELD – Owners of a new restaurant aim to provide a neighborhood hangout spot for people in Sugar Creek Township and beyond.
Sugar Creek Brickhouse, 5821 U.S. 40 West, began serving customers this month during soft-open training days, offering their take on bar fare including burgers, tenderloins, pizza and house-smoked pork barbecue.
Part-owner and manager Beth Kirkwood acquired the 3,000-square-foot business, which boasts brick, stone and stainless steel decor, in May, she said. The business is run by Kirkwood, her husband and another couple that operates as silent partners, Kirkwood said.
Kirkwood, family and friends have worked since the spring to build the dining room, bar and kitchen, she said; the building was empty when she and the other owners acquired it, she said.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“Everything you see, we’ve created,” she said, gesturing about the small restaurant on a recent afternoon.
Kirkwood’s family has long been a part of New Palestine sports leagues, and a refrain she’s heard open from people off the field is there are few places they consider a neighborhood gathering place in Sugar Creek Township.
She and the other owners wanted to give the community somewhere to hang out, she said.
“Everybody’s been waiting for something in this area,” she said.
The business employs some 21 people, among kitchen, bar and dining room staff, Kirkwood said. Between the bar area and the dining room area, which are separated by a half wall, the 16-table restaurant seats between 64 and 100 people.
Several curious diners recently ventured into the restaurant during its soft-open hours.
Joanne Roth of New Palestine knew from social media the restaurant had opened and couldn’t wait to check it out.
The interior is beautiful, she said, with lots of windows and a cozy feel.
She tried the barbecue pork nachos appetizer, which features tricolor tortilla chips topped with smoked shredded pork, cheddar-jack cheese, sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, jalapenos and barbecue sauce for $9.99.
“It was delicious,” she said. “It’s going to be a favorite.”
The restaurant also drew employees of a nearby Cumberland dentist’s office. Scott Hamer said he enjoyed the restaurant’s clean, modern atmosphere. His dining companion, Mandy Albers, ate the Brickhouse chicken tenderloin. Both were delighted with the sweet potato waffle fries.
During the soft opening, the restaurant staff has entertained customers for limited hours, which Kirkwood announces on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
She has not set a date for a grand opening yet but continues to train staff on the newly installed point-of-sale software.
“The kitchen is still training, but everyone who has come in has been understanding and supportive,” she said. “And the staff have been amazing. They’ve really stepped up and proven themselves.”
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Sugar Creek Brickhouse
5821 W. U.S. 40
Greenfield, IN 46140
317-947-6571
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday
Menu includes burgers, wings, pizza and house-smoked pork barbecue.
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