The Carmel Plan Commission approved a two-story distillery addition to the building that houses the Porkopolis restaurant, which opened in 2018 at 9802 Michigan Rd.
The 3,400-square-foot addition will house Heartland Distillers and face Michigan Road on the east side of the building. It will be constructed on part of an existing drive-thru lane and patio and eliminate eight parking spaces. The outdoor patio will be relocated to the south side of the building and the drive-thru will be eliminated.
At the April 23 Carmel Plan Commission meeting, held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric Gleissner of Civil Site Group said the property owner believes the addition will improve visibility of the site, especially with other development occurring nearby.
Gleissner said Heartland Distillers is a separate entity from Porkopolis but that the building owner believes they are complementary uses. He envisions customers dining at the restaurant before heading next door to sample and purchase whiskey, bourbon or other offerings.
The Porkopolis building formerly housed a Dairy Queen. The 4-acre site also includes a gas station with a convenience store and Dunkin’ Donuts and is owned by Heartland Oil Michigan Road LLC.
