A new parklet along Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne allows Tall Rabbit customers to enjoy their drinks in the open air. Photo from the Tall Rabbit Café.
FORT WAYNE — The Tall Rabbit Café + Community has opened a new outdoor patio along Calhoun Street, aiming to create a welcoming space for patrons while contributing to the area’s growing reputation as a walkable, small-business destination.
The addition, known as a “parklet,” repurposes former curbside space into a vibrant, open-air seating area complete with greenery, shade, and various seating options. The area is enclosed by concrete barriers to ensure safety for visitors.
The project was made possible through the support of several local partners, including JPR Architecture, Carter Lumber, Sweetwater Sound, Material Handling Exchange, Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, and Sand Point Living Interiors. All materials and services were donated. Seating and exterior features were constructed in-house by employees of Blue Jacket, a nonprofit organization focused on workforce development, further aligning the effort with its community-centered mission.
The initiative reflects Fort Wayne’s broader push to revitalize Calhoun Street by transforming underused spaces into areas that promote outdoor activity and support small businesses.
Studies suggest parklets not only enhance commercial corridors but also contribute to pedestrian safety and neighborhood health.
The public is invited to the space, with what organizers hope is a step toward a more vibrant downtown corridor.
