Mike Wolanin | The Republic Demolition work at Becker’s Drive In in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019.
After remaining an empty lot for five years, site preparation work is now underway where a cherished drive-in restaurant once stood for 67 years.
A 3,570-square-foot building for business, office or professional use will be built where A&W Root Beer – and later Becker’s Drive-In – once served customers at 25th and Union streets.
But what services or products will be available at 1024 25th St. is anyone’s guess at this point.
The permit issued by the Department of Technical Code Enforcement of Columbus/Bartholomew County allows for shell-only construction, which means only the exterior, structural foundation, skeleton and external walls can be built.
When a tenant commits to renting one or more suites in the building, additional permits will have to be obtained, according to language contained in the permitting paperwork. As of Wednesday, no permit requests had been filed to operate at that location.
Long-time property broker Mark Pratt of Breeden Commercial says there are reasons why shell-only buildings have become popular with commercial developers.
“It shortens the process from when a tenant needs the space, decides on it, builds it out, moves in and starts operating a business,” Pratt said.
Shell-only construction is also cost-effective and allows future tenants to meet their specific needs, according to a number of construction trade websites.
The .037 acres property was purchased on Dec. 13, 2021 by Tulsidas “Tony” and Shobha Narsinghani of Columbus for $225,000. Public records state the estimated cost of the new building will be about $800,000.
The Narsinghanis also own Tony’s Plaza, located just one block west of the construction site. Tenants of the plaza are Flexicrew Staffing, Olesya’s Kitchen and LeFernandez Café.
Pratt said it’s likely the developers have sensed a demand from Tony’s Plaza.
“Knowing that 25th Street is a pretty strong, high-traffic corridor, (the Narsinghanis) believe they can attract other similar neighborhood-type businesses,” according to Pratt.
Project superintendent Josh Meek of Case Construction says the plans he has seen indicates the new commercial building will be similar to Tony’s Plaza. While Meek said the new building could hold up to four suites, it could also house fewer tenants if additional space is needed.
While Case is preparing the site, Meek says another firm will handle the actual construction. Permits state that Colvin Builders of Greenwood is the contractor responsible for the permit.
The A&W was constructed by Wisconsin natives Bill and Joan Becker, who got married, moved from LaCrosse to Columbus and built the root beer stand all in 1949. The couple were married for almost 64 years before Bill died in 2013. Joan, who bolstered the family’s seasonal income as a teacher, died five years later in 2018.
Two of their most popular items were coney dogs and frothy root beer served in a chilled glass.
While the eatery closed at the end of the warm weather season in 2015, the community was largely unaware Becker’s had gone out of business until the message “Thanks For The Memories” appeared on the drive-in’s marquee in the spring of 2016.
William T. Becker, the son of Bill and Joan, said he had exhausted himself after spending several decades working nearly 90 hours a week at the drive-in. He added family responsibilities, as well as a desire to explore new experiences, prompted him to reexamine his priorities.
Although there was interest expressed in buying and continuing the drive-in restaurant, Becker said no offer ever came to fruition. The building was finally torn down in the fall of 2019.
