SOUTH BEND ― The owners of Dorbin’s Old Town Tap at 1505 W. Indiana Ave. are still in the process of figuring out how to proceed after the business caught fire on Dec. 23.
The business was closed on Dec. 23 when what appears to have been an electrical problem started a fire in the main building.
South Bend firefighters were quickly able to extinguish the fire in about 10 minutes, according to the Facebook page for Firefighters Local 362, adding that the fire is still under investigation.
Even with the quick response, most of the building is likely going to have to be gutted, said Steve Dorbin, who took possession of the business on May 1 along with his wife, Susan.
Steve, left, and his wife Susan Dorbin, co-owners of Dorbin’s Old Time Tap, pose for a portrait at their bar on Monday, June 17, 2024, in South Bend.
Plans for growth: After 40-plus years, Simeri’s Old Town Tap has new owners
The business had operated as Simeri’s Old Town Tap for about 40 years before it was purchased by the Dorbins, who already had made numerous upgrades to the venue.
On its Facebook page, Dorbin’s Old Town Tap had offers from the public to help with the work. “We will keep you all updated as we address the damages,” the business responded.
Revelers enjoy the live music on the patio at Dorbin’s Old Town Tap on the south side of South Bend. The venue, which was run by the Simeri family for more than four decades, recently switched ownership.
Known for its affordable fare and year-round activities, the venue is best known for the live music on its expansive patio in the warmer-weather months.
Dorbin said it’s too early to provide more details because insurance adjusters and investigators are still doing their work.
Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend venue, formerly Sumeri’s Old Town Tap, damaged by fire