RVBusiness, September/October 2019
ELKHART BY BRUCE HAMPSON PHOTOS BY SHAWN SPENCE Diningá la Dandinos Supper Club Kerm Troyer Resurrects a Classic Goshen Ind Eatery 136 RVBusiness S E P T E M B E R O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 Kerm Troyer never intentionally set out to become a restaurateur When he initially became involved with Dandinos Supper Club in Goshen Ind he was more or less a passive investor Everyone in Elkhart County who appreciates a great dining experience should be grateful that his plans didnt work out the way he intended I knew the original owner for years Troyer recollected I even came here for my junior and senior prom It was a great place Three years ago though the owner developed a medical problem and said Troyer had to get his affairs in order He was a personal friend of mine has been for 50 years so we put an agreement together I bought him out At the time he had the restaurant leased out to someone I was supposed to be involved here for a year and at the end of the year she was to cash me out and I was going to take the money put it in my pocket and walk on down the road Unfortunately she breached the contract and all of a sudden I had a restaurant and didnt know what to do with it As Troyer noted he had three options close it down and try to sell it sell the equipment Knock down the admittedly tired looking facility and sell the real estate or put it back together and build the business Troyer chose Option Three He shut down the business in February and spent the following five months completely refurbishing and adding to the facility Nothing had really been done to upgrade the place in 40 years Troyer mused We stripped everything down put new siding on the outside and completely redesigned the interior I remember back in the day when this was a produce stand and they had a little bar right inside the Dandinos owner Kerm Troyer visits with customers while behind the bar at the Goshen Ind eatery The restaurant said Troyer was started by Michael Dandino in the early 60s and is an iconic place so why change the name Dont let the monicker fool you though its also open for lunch Server Amanda Ackers with two Dandinos specialties prime rib and all you can eat white fish
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