Fort Wayne Restaurant Extends Lease on Wells Street
The city approved a two-year lease extension for Don Chava's Mexican Grill as part of ongoing riverfront redevelopment plans.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Dining Out
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The Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission recently approved a lease extension allowing Don Chava's Mexican Grill to remain at its current location for up to two years. The move follows the city's purchase of the Wells Street property for $1.42 million to support local riverfront projects.
Why it matters
The decision provides stability for the local business while allowing the city to continue its broader strategy of revitalizing the riverfront area. Officials intend to work with the owner to secure a new location for the restaurant before eventually clearing the site.
Don Chava's Mexican Grill currently pays $2,500 in monthly rent at the 1218 to 1234 Wells Street property. The commission also authorized $50,000 for the demolition of the former Sunny Schick Camera Shop building.
The players
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission
This local government body is responsible for managing property acquisitions and urban revitalization projects throughout the city.
Don Chava's Mexican Grill
This restaurant is a local dining establishment currently situated on Wells Street in Fort Wayne.
JGA Properties Inc.
This entity was involved in the city's acquisition of the Wells Street property.
The details
The newly approved lease includes an initial one-year term followed by two optional six-month extensions. Separately, the commission is moving forward with clearing the former Sunny Schick Camera Shop property, which was purchased for $10 earlier this year.
Timeline
The city initially announced its intent to acquire the Wells Street property in 2024.
The commission purchased the former Sunny Schick Camera Shop building in January 2025.
Rent payments for the restaurant's holdover lease began in summer 2026.
The commission approved the new lease agreement on October 19, 2026.
Culture Shift
This site acquisition reflects a broader movement toward aggressive urban redevelopment in Fort Wayne to transform industrial and commercial corridors into riverfront destinations. The strategy aligns with long-term initiatives to centralize leisure and dining hubs near the city's waterways.
Residents can continue to dine at Don Chava's Mexican Grill on Wells Street for at least the next year. Future shifts in local traffic patterns are expected once the city completes the demolition of the nearby camera shop and proceeds with riverfront site preparations.
The takeaway
City planners are balancing immediate business continuity with the long-term goal of total site redevelopment. Patrons should monitor future updates regarding the timeline for the restaurant's eventual relocation as the project progresses.
Further reading
For more on local culinary developments, visit the Fort Wayne Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
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