The barns at Nappanee return to their roots  

NAPPANEE -- Ind, The Barns at Nappanee which was formally Amish Acres, has been a big part of the town of Nappanee. The auction for the barns concluded Aug. 13 with the final price tag being 2.4 million dollars.

ABC57’s Sidney Moore spoke with community members and the new owner of the site. The new owner confirms that the original name “Amish Acres” will return and so will the core concepts of the establishment.

For many community members Amish Acres was a big part of their childhood and early lives. One former employee tells ABC 57’s Sidney Moore that her and her husband were involved in Amish Acres before it was opened!

Lucinda Gaut, a Veni’s Chocolates Employee explains, “my husband helped build the restaurant barn. He helped put on the roof and things like that. So, yeah, so I go way back to when the original owners had it.”

Amish Acres opened in 1968 and later closed in 2020. After closing it was purchased and turned into “The Barns at Nappanee” before closing yet again. Gaut explains that the former Amish Acres used to be very busy while she was a waitress there and she hopes that the crowds will pour in under new ownership.

Gaut says, “I felt it was constantly busy. We were always I worked mostly in the evenings, and we were really busy in the evenings. People would come and take tours, buggy tours, and things like that, and just visit the grounds.”

The owner of Sweet G’s Ice Cream Shop says Amish Acres brings back childhood memories. Marty Graverson explains, “growing up in the area I went to Amish Acres a lot and it was just a great establishment.”

The new owner tells ABC 57 the most important project to begin with is The Round Barn Theater and restaurant on the property. The project is still in the very early phases, but the community is very excited to see this staple of Nappanee return to its roots.

Gaut says, “it was always good in the very beginning. We always had lots and lots of people through Nappanee, and I just hope that the new owners can do that and establish that for the Nappanee area.”

The new owner also explains his vision by telling ABC 57 he wants to see something home grown stay that way.