SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Ivey Alley Social House has closed, yet again.
The restaurant featured duck pin bowling and a brewery, initially opened in December of 2025.
The restaurant has closed and reopened on and off since then.
Local economic experts are weighing in and say South Bend has seen quite a few recent restaurant closures.
WSBT
Those experts say about one in six local restaurants don’t even make it to one year. They are struggling now more than ever — with more competition and declining sales.
“It’s sad. You know, it’s a tough time, locally and nationally for craft breweries,” said Steve Lowe, South Bend Brew Werks Owner and Brewer.
Ivy Alley Social House in downtown South Bend closed its doors. But it’s not the first time the restaurant and brewery has closed down. In early May, WSBT 22 reported that they announced its closure due to lack of business, only to change course and reopen just days later — but with limited hours.
But now, the restaurant’s doors are locked and the lights off.
Ivey Alley Social House has closed, yet again. Local economic experts are weighing in and say South Bend has seen quite a few recent restaurant closures. (WSBT photo)
Other local breweries who worked with Ivy Alley said it’s a tough business right now.
“From the beginning, I was able talk to them, work with them. And it was a very collaborative experience,” said Lowe. “You know, we’re all kind of going through it right now and seeing declining sales and growth is not happening.”
Ivy Alley Social House was only officially open for six months.
Ivey Alley Social House has closed, yet again. Local economic experts are weighing in and say South Bend has seen quite a few recent restaurant closures. (WSBT photo)
And it’s not the only closure downtown South Bend has seen in recent months.
Local economic experts say the competition and cost of food is increasing and many restaurants are trying to balance that.
“If food costs go up, if labor costs go up, if insurance goes up, if rent goes up, all of those kinds of things affect it in a negative way on an already thin margin. The competition is as fierce in the restaurant industry as it’s ever been,” said Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Rea said that marketing and advertising is equally important.
Many people in the community were initially surprised when Ivy Alley announced their first closure in May. Some said they hadn’t heard of the restaurant before.
“It’s tough right now. It’s a very difficult landscape to navigate as a craft brewery and it’s too bad that they couldn’t make more of a go of it,” said Lowe.
WSBT reached out to both the city and Ivy Alley’s founders for an interview but we did not receive a response.
Dining and Cooking