1402 S Harrison Street, Street View photo from Google Maps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowersHamburgers/.
- Powers Hamburgers (1933), front view, Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana at The Library of Congress
- Powers Hamburgers posted January 20, 2012 by Kayleen R. on the Visit Fort Wayne blog.
- The Powers family, four brothers: Leo, Clell, Harold "Jim", and Dale Powers opened their first restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan in 1935. By 1938 Dale Powers had moved to Port Huron, Michigan and opened a second Powers. Leo moved back to Northeast Indiana where the brothers grew up, and in 1940 opened the Fort Wayne location. In 1947, Leo opened a second Fort Wayne store in an industrial area. In 1980, Leo's son Rolin purchased the business, and Rolin opened a third location on a busy commercial strip in 1983. That store closed in 1989, at which time Rolin was diagnosed with cancer. Rolin died in 1990, and in 2004 the second location closed, leaving the iconic downtown restaurant as the only surviving Powers Hamburgers. The business was sold outside the family in 1999 to Mike Hall. Copied from Powers Hamburgers: A Fort Wayne, Indiana, Treasure (Just Like Major Frank Burns) with photos published August 27, 2008 on SeriousEats.com now only on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine .
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The Powers' Family History by Don Henderson has many photographs but never mentions Fort Wayne. One of their photos in shown on the October 3, 2015 show Greensburg and Decatur County history under a subheading labeled Roadtrip - Historic eateries in Fort Wayne on the Archives of Hoosier History Live podcast on Saturdays, noon to 1 p.m. ET on WICR 88.7 FM . The photo above is captioned: Powers Hamburgers has operated in Fort Wayne, Ind. since 1940. Shown here are Big Daddy, Mamma Powers and Auntie Cozette. This same photo was posted April 19, 2024 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
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Here's a cartoon I did that is dedicated to all my downtown worker friends in Fort Wayne :)
Posted by Steve Smeltzer on Monday, June 11, 2018June 11, 2018 post by Steve Smeltzer on Facebook:
Here's a cartoon I did that is dedicated to all my downtown worker friends in Fort Wayne
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And this is our hermetically sealed break room for employees who choose to bring back food from Power's or Coney Island.
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July 5, 2022 post by Indiana Landmarks on Facebook:
We’re often told to “appreciate the little things.” It’s good advice in architecture, too, where even small landmarks offer history worth noting. Join us this month as we explore several places around Indiana where little goes a long way.
This year, George Motz, author of Hamburger America and a filmmaker The New York Times called the “foremost authority on hamburgers,” named Fort Wayne’s Powers Hamburgers as one of his top five places in the country to get a classic hamburger made just as they were a century ago. Locals, who have been flocking to the small Art Deco building on Harrison Street since 1940, would agree.
The Powers brothers—Leo, Clell, Harold, and Dale—started Powers Hamburgers in 1935 in Dearborn, Michigan, eventually expanding their burger dynasty into Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Though Fort Wayne once boasted three locations, today only the original 20-seat diner started by Leo Powers remains, the only restaurant from the original enterprise to still carry the Powers name. Diners sit at a small wrap-around counter with padded stools and order slider-style burgers from menu on the wall above.
Originally sold for a nickel apiece, today burgers sold at Powers are still light on the wallet: single burgers cost $1.60, and doubles cost $2.40. “It’s a good quality product at a good quality price,” says owner Michael Hall, who purchased the business from the Powers family in 1999. The ground beef is locally sourced from Fort Wayne’s Tim Didier Meats, and the burgers’ small size encourages most patrons to order three or four.
: Lee Lewellen#indianalandmarks #historicrestaurant #indianapreservation
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December 27, 2023 post by 21Alive on Facebook:
After over 80 years of serving up their beloved sliders to customers in downtown Fort Wayne, Powers Hamburgers is up for sale.
Fort Wayne staple, Powers Hamburgers, up for sale
A legendary eatery in The Fort is now up for sale. A listing from NAI Hanning & Bean shows the asking price for Powers Hamburgers is $695,000. For over 80 years, Powers has been serving up their beloved sliders to customers in downtown Fort Wayne who pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The restaurant makes fresh sliders with beef from Tim Didier Meats with grilled onions and cheese on a dinner roll. The diner has been a fan-favorite in downtown Fort Wayne since 1940, located off South Harrison Street. 21Alive’s Julian Teekaram visited the restaurant for a feature back in 2019, you can watch it below.
Powers Hamburgers Owner speaks on the future of the diner Kara Porzuczek December 28, 2023
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Salvatori’s Hospitality group acquires historic Powers Hamburgers in downtown Fort Wayne! Powers has a rich history...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Wednesday, April 10, 2024Wednesday, April 10, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
Salvatori’s Hospitality group acquires historic Powers Hamburgers in downtown Fort Wayne!
Powers has a rich history dating back to the1940’s and is nationally known for their signature slider hamburger which has had guests frequenting the restaurant for over 80 years! Founded by the Powers Brothers, this iconic restaurant has been a mainstay downtown! Mike and Gloria acquired Powers in 1999 and have continued the Powers legacy for the past 25 years!
Mike and Gloria Hall said, “We’re honored to have served the community for over 25 years as owners of Powers Hamburgers. We’re proud of the legacy we’ve built and excited to pass the torch to Salvatori’s Hospitality Group and Alex Richardson. We are glad we were able to train them for several weeks to continue the same quality food the community craves. We know they’ll not only continue Powers’ tradition for years to come, but also preserve it as a historic landmark.”
Salvatori’s, along with Managing Partner Alex Richardson, intends to continue to build upon the rich history of Powers and plans to continue to offer the same great Powers experience for generations to come!
“We are beyond humbled and incredibly excited Mike and Gloria have chosen us to carry on the legacy of Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne! We will continue to focus on quality, service, and engaging with the community as we strive to uphold the tradition of excellence that has defined Powers hamburgers for the past 84 years! We look forward to serving this community for many generations to come!” said Alex Richardson.
Powers will be closed briefly during the transition to staff and train, but customers are encouraged to visit and share in the excitement of this new chapter in the restaurant’s history in the coming weeks! Follow Powers on Facebook for more updates and information
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Thursday, April 11, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024 comment by Powers Hamburgers to an ACGSI share April 11, 2024 of their ownership change post shown above:
Wow, thank you! We love the legacy of this property.
Quiz: what's the name of the tall skinny building to the right of Powers from this photo?
[ notice the brick Harrison Street - see Hotel Keenan ]
Similar position shows Street View photo from Baker Street near The Baker Street Station on Google Maps.
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📢📢Attention Powers Hamburgers Fans!📢📢 We're proud to announce that we'll continue serving the same high-quality, fresh...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Thursday, April 11, 2024Thursday, April 11, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
Attention Powers Hamburgers Fans!We're proud to announce that we'll continue serving the same high-quality, fresh Didier Meats you've loved for over 60 years! Didier Meats have been a staple in our burgers since the beginning, and we're committed to using the freshest ingredients to create the delicious classics you know and crave.
Fun fact: Didier Meats has supplied Powers Hamburgers with over 5 million pounds of beef! That's a lot of delicious sliders.
Stop by Powers Hamburgers soon and taste the difference Didier Meats make!
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We are thankful for the opportunity to learn from Elten and Carolyn Powers, who shared the rich history of the Powers'...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Monday, April 15, 2024Monday, April 15, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
We are thankful for the opportunity to learn from Elten and Carolyn Powers, who shared the rich history of the Powers' family. We are devoted to honoring their legacy as we aim to make the restaurant a continued success for generations to come.
Thank you for taking the time and sharing your stories.
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A return to the traditional bun that Powers Hamburgers used for nearly 80 years became a priority to us when we began to...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Wednesday, April 17, 2024Wednesday, April 17, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
A return to the traditional bun that Powers Hamburgers used for nearly 80 years became a priority to us when we began to explore the feedback about what makes Powers unique. The overwhelming feedback that this bun is part of the magic of our sliders that so many people crave.
Thank you to Aunt Millie's for partnering with us to help make this happen and we look forward to working with you for decades to come. This is part of our commitment to quality products and our goal to stay true to traditions.
Please be sure to follow us in order to get the latest news for upcoming re-opening dates and hours. Don't miss an update!
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🍔 **Exciting News! We're Re-Opening April 23rd with Extended Hours!** 🍔 We're thrilled to announce that Powers...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Thursday, April 18, 2024Thursday, April 18, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
**Exciting News! We're Re-Opening April 23rd with Extended Hours!** We're thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers will be reopening Tuesday, April 23rd, with expanded hours to serve you better! Here's our updated schedule:
**Opening Hours:**
- **Tuesday & Wednesday:** 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- **Thursday, Friday, & Saturday:** 10:00 AM - 11:00 PMWhether it's a midday burger fix or a late-night craving, we'll be here to satisfy your hunger with our legendary sliders!
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🌙 **Exciting News! Introducing "Powers After Hours"** 🌙 We're thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers is extending...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Sunday, April 21, 2024Sunday, April 21, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
**Exciting News! Introducing "Powers After Hours"** We're thrilled to announce that Powers Hamburgers is extending our hours to serve you even later!
To celebrate our new late-night hours, we're offering a special promotion:
The first 25 customers after 8:00 PM on Tuesday will receive a FREE Powers Hamburgers coffee mug! 
Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy a legendary meal and snag a limited-edition mug!
**New Late Night Hours:**- **Monday (starting April 29th), Tuesday, & Wednesday:** 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- **Thursday, Friday, & Saturday:** 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM -
📲 **Exciting News! Online Ordering Now Available at Powers Hamburgers!** 🍔🎉 Hungry for a taste of Powers Hamburgers and...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Monday, April 29, 2024Monday, April 29, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
**Exciting News! Online Ordering Now Available at Powers Hamburgers!** Hungry for a taste of Powers Hamburgers and want to skip the wait? We've got you covered! We're thrilled to announce that online ordering is now available at Powers Hamburgers, hold your place in line before you even leave your door!
**Order Online:** https://shorturl.at/gmG47Whether you're craving our iconic sliders for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack, ordering is now easier than ever. Simply visit our website, browse our mouthwatering menu, and place your order from the comfort of your own home.
Tag your friends and spread the word—online ordering at Powers Hamburgers is officially here!
Happy ordering,
The Powers Hamburgers Team -
It's a beautiful day to enjoy a Powers burger! Our classic burger is waiting for you—simple, delicious, and just what you need. We hope to see you today! 🍔☀️ #PowersBurgers #Powers #GreatDay
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Tuesday, April 30, 2024Tuesday, April 30, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
It's a beautiful day to enjoy a Powers burger! Our classic burger is waiting for you—simple, delicious, and just what you need. We hope to see you today!
#PowersBurgers #Powers #GreatDay -
Skip the chocolates and the flowers for Mom this year. Give her what she really wants.... Onions. Happy Mother's day to all our Mom's and the Mom's that you love! See you tomorrow, we're open on Mondays!
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Sunday, May 12, 2024Sunday, May 12, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
Skip the chocolates and the flowers for Mom this year. Give her what she really wants.... Onions.
Happy Mother's day to all our Mom's and the Mom's that you love!
See you tomorrow, we're open on Mondays!
[ This post brings tears to the eyes and a desire to revisit the Steve Smeltzer cartoon! ]
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Next time you stop in, plan to take a few moments to check out the history and Powers' memorabilia! Some photos of...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Monday, May 20, 2024Monday, May 20, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
Next time you stop in, plan to take a few moments to check out the history and Powers' memorabilia! Some photos of historic downtown Fort Wayne and the story of Powers' Hamburgers.
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We love when we get to see a new historic photo of the building inside or out! Noting the differences in the...
Posted by Powers Hamburgers on Friday, June 14, 2024Friday, June 14, 2024 post by Powers Hamburgers on Facebook:
We love when we get to see a new historic photo of the building inside or out! Noting the differences in the surroundings and environment then and now is thought-provoking. What do you find interesting in the 50 year old photo?
If you find yourself with extra time to dig through your old albums or shoeboxes of photos and happen to stumble upon a photo of Powers, we would be excited to see it!
Source for this one: Michael Martone from the cover of *At A Loss".