Fuquas plan new cafe

Rock and Kathy Fuqua are passionate about Dunkirk and would like to see the downtown area flourish once again. So when they heard their community’s desire for a new place to eat, they decided to take action.

The result will be Dunkirk’s Glass Capital Cafe, which the couple estimates will open sometime in the fall.

“Kathy and I have a great passion for Dunkirk and are on a mission to improve the conditions in our community,” Rock said. “We feel the best way to predict the future is to make it.”

Hearing from community members about the need for a restaurant, Rock and Kathy in March 2015 purchased the former Knights of Columbus building that is across the street from Rock’s car dealership. 

At that time they were in the midst of a renovation of the former fire station so they made some much needed repairs — the roof was removed and replaced, new windows and a glass front installed and the inside gutted. They then let the building sit while working on the fire station, knowing that the restaurant would be their next project.

With the firehouse completed late last year, they have been focusing on the restaurant for the last few months and have had new plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning and siding added.

The next step is to add drywall to the interior, and then the decorating can begin. Kathy also decorated the restored firehouse, which includes hand-painted designs and a Tuscan feel, but she wants a totally different look for Dunkirk’s Glass Capital Cafe.

“I want to use metal and wood and glass to represent the industry of … Dunkirk,” Kathy said. “There’s a lot of industry here.”

Rock said he chose the name as a tribute to the glass industry and the city’s heritage, something he and Kathy agree is important.

“We are the glass capital of Indiana and we need to be proud of our history and our ongoing future with Ardagh,” Rock said of the factory that was formerly known as Armstrong and Kerr. The name was also chosen to honor the former Indiana Glass factory.

Ardagh and Bob Rawlings of the Dunkirk Glass Museum have offered to loan glassware and old photos to display in the restaurant to highlight the history of Dunkirk. 

“Everyone helps each other,” said Kathy, who is still in search of old photos of workers from the glass factories. “That’s really a neat thing.”

The Fuquas also have a chef lined up for the restaurant.

“We’re very, very, blessed to have him,” Rock said, while not revealing his identity. “He’s a wonderful chef.”

“Personality plus,” Kathy added.

The couple said the chef grew up in the restaurant business and it was his dream to run a restaurant in a small community. He has moved specifically to take the position at Dunkirk’s Glass Capital Cafe.

A recent survey Kathy did on Facebook revealed that the community wanted comfort food, such as meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, to be served at the restaurant, so that is the type of fare they are planning to include on the menu. 

“Good-ole home cooking,” Kathy said.  

Plans for now are for the restaurant to be open for breakfast and lunch, but only occasionally for dinner. They noted, however, that the chef will be available for catering parties, weddings and other special occasions. 

The couple estimates the opening of the restaurant will be late September or early October. 

“It will be finished and it will be open for business,” Rock said with certainty.

“With my creativity and his get-’er-doneness, we make a really good team,” Kathy said.