2008 Woodie Awards
Hank's Deli closed; regular Rockhouse hours to resume
By: Meghan Kazer
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
Another Greencastle eatery has run its course. Hank's Deli closed Thursday as a result of slow business.
"The owner didn't really want to close, but the business fluctuates a lot," said Carol Knapp, Hanks manager. "We're either really busy or we're dead."
Hank's opened four years ago, replacing two delis before it. It has served students and DePauw staff, along with businessmen and women of the town, Knapp said. "We've gotten a really loyal group of customers. Those people are really disappointed."
Knapp said the economy played a large part in the decision to close, as well as the owner's desire to focus more on his construction company, Daniel & Barton Construction Co.
"We couldn't see if sales were actually going to go up," Knapp said. "If we could have seen that, he probably would have hung on with it. It was kind of like no light at the end of tunnel."
Like many Greencastle businesses that have gone before them, Knapp said Hank's dealt with the absence of DePauw students in the summer. Students made up a large part of Hank's customer population and business suffered during the University's summer vacation.
Hank's also dealt with other local competing restaurants. Knapp said that for Greencastle, Hank's was on the high end, and could be pricy compared to other local eateries, with lunch costing $6 or $7. Many people, she said, did not want to spend that much money. However, the deli did not want to change its ways to attract those customers.
"[Owner, Bart Spencer], is really health conscious. He didn't want to sell burgers and fries," she said. "We wanted to keep high quality food."
Knapp said the customers as well as employees are disappointed.
"Out of all the jobs I've had, this has probably been the most enjoyable. The customers have been fantastic," she said. "It's a shame that the economy isn't a bit better. For a small business to run it is tough."
Knapp said as far as she knows, no one has come forth with interest in buying the deli.
Despite concerns that another local favorite was closing, The Rockhouse Bar and Grill will resume normal business hours in upcoming weeks.
Manager Rick Rhine said the bar has been serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, but currently is not doing any late-night business. The Rockhouse is making changes to both its bar and kitchen, and he hopes to return to "business as usual" within the next seven to 10 days.
- Courtney Hime contributed to this article.
"The owner didn't really want to close, but the business fluctuates a lot," said Carol Knapp, Hanks manager. "We're either really busy or we're dead."
Hank's opened four years ago, replacing two delis before it. It has served students and DePauw staff, along with businessmen and women of the town, Knapp said. "We've gotten a really loyal group of customers. Those people are really disappointed."
Knapp said the economy played a large part in the decision to close, as well as the owner's desire to focus more on his construction company, Daniel & Barton Construction Co.
"We couldn't see if sales were actually going to go up," Knapp said. "If we could have seen that, he probably would have hung on with it. It was kind of like no light at the end of tunnel."
Like many Greencastle businesses that have gone before them, Knapp said Hank's dealt with the absence of DePauw students in the summer. Students made up a large part of Hank's customer population and business suffered during the University's summer vacation.
Hank's also dealt with other local competing restaurants. Knapp said that for Greencastle, Hank's was on the high end, and could be pricy compared to other local eateries, with lunch costing $6 or $7. Many people, she said, did not want to spend that much money. However, the deli did not want to change its ways to attract those customers.
"[Owner, Bart Spencer], is really health conscious. He didn't want to sell burgers and fries," she said. "We wanted to keep high quality food."
Knapp said the customers as well as employees are disappointed.
"Out of all the jobs I've had, this has probably been the most enjoyable. The customers have been fantastic," she said. "It's a shame that the economy isn't a bit better. For a small business to run it is tough."
Knapp said as far as she knows, no one has come forth with interest in buying the deli.
Despite concerns that another local favorite was closing, The Rockhouse Bar and Grill will resume normal business hours in upcoming weeks.
Manager Rick Rhine said the bar has been serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, but currently is not doing any late-night business. The Rockhouse is making changes to both its bar and kitchen, and he hopes to return to "business as usual" within the next seven to 10 days.
- Courtney Hime contributed to this article.
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