The Emporium Welcomes Pinellia a fully Vegan Asian Fusion Coming to Downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- For decades, the Emporium building was best known as the iconic home of the old Emporium Restaurant, which closed during COVID-19, and served as a staple along the St. Joseph River. Now, developer David Matthews is working to turn the space into a vibrant neighborhood hub.

The newest addition is Pinellia, a 100% vegan Asian fusion spot designed to diversify downtown dining options as the city works to finish its new Riverwalk.

Matthews pointed out that Pinellia will give people a place to stop in while enjoying the Riverwalk, all while helping build up the neighborhood. He said whether you’re a young single adult, raising a family, or an empty nester, his goal with this plant-based spot is to give every demographic a reason to hang out along the riverfront for years to come.

For over a decade, developers have been working to turn South Bend’s East Bank neighborhood into a place where residents can stay for a lifetime. Now, the historic Emporium building is taking another step in that evolution.

“What we've been working on for 15 years in downtown South Bend is how do we make it so that everyone can live in walking distance in this neighborhood?” said David Matthews, owner of the Emporium building. “And we're now what 15 years into that journey, and we're beginning to see it. We're getting really good momentum.”

Part of that momentum includes diversifying what downtown has to offer. Moving into the Emporium is Pinellia, a fully vegan Asian restaurant.

“They'll bring an Asian flair to downtown South Bend, so you can sit on the river, have a beer, eat some dumplings, enjoy this great view behind us, and then eventually, the city will have this river walk done, and you know it'll be a fun place again to walk,” Matthews said.

Pinellia owner Ping Li said everything on the menu is 100% vegan, and that her signature soy protein dishes taste just like the real thing.

“We just have a sand like soy chicken, soy beef, and a soy shen, and some like a soy everything is a soy product. So sometimes and soy pork too. Sometimes you eat that one is same as a really meat, but it's not. It's vegan too,” Li said.

Li’s 17-year-old daughter, Sophia, speaks for Generation Z and their growing interest in plant-based dining.

“You know, nowadays people needs to be healthy, guys. Like, come on,” said Li’s daughter, Sophia Lin. “I know like a few people like my classmates and stuff they're like vegan.”

Once the city completes the new Riverwalk, diners will be able to walk directly off the path and onto Pinellia’s riverfront patio, adding one more piece to South Bend’s growing downtown footprint.

“Once it's done, people from the Riverwalk will be able to come in via the patio and at the restaurant and enjoy the great food here,” Matthews said.

Pinellia will hold its grand opening Wednesday. The owners have also applied for a liquor license to serve alcoholic beverages in the future. As the East Bank neighborhood continues to develop, Pinellia is looking forward to settling into its new home.