Callahan's Family Dining Returns to Elkhart at New Starlight Square Location

ELKHART, Ind., May 27, 2026 — Callahan's Family Dining, an Elkhart institution that served the community for 42 years before closing this past March, will reopen later this summer at a new location roughly a mile north on Cassopolis Street at Starlight Square.

Owner Miranda Lambrou confirmed the plans to WSBT 22, saying renovations to the new building are expected to begin soon with a target opening date set for late July. The news has already drawn an outpouring of support from longtime customers across the Elkhart area.

The return of Callahan's ends a months-long absence that began when the restaurant's founder retired after more than four decades of operating the original Cassopolis Street location.

Why Callahan's Family Dining Closed Earlier This Year

The original Callahan's location on Cassopolis Street shut its doors in March 2026 after 42 years in business. The closure came when Lambrou's father decided to retire, a transition that required him to sell the property.

Lambrou said she had long intended to take over the restaurant from her father and the opportunity to reopen under a new roof gave her the path she had been looking for.

"We're getting such positive feedback, that we are just getting excited, and we're definitely ready to reopen," said Miranda Lambrou, owner of Callahan's Restaurant.

New Callahan's Location at Starlight Square on Cassopolis Street

The new Callahan's will occupy a space that previously housed Bruno's Pizza at Starlight Square, a commercial area located approximately one mile north of the restaurant's original address. Lambrou said the proximity to the former location was a deliberate choice to retain the loyal customer base built over four decades.

"That location is close to the previous location. We didn't want to be real far away. And it was a restaurant before. It has a good amount of seating — it may look small from the outside, but we are looking probably to seat 80 to 100 customers," said Miranda Lambrou, owner of Callahan's Restaurant.

Neighboring business owners expressed enthusiasm about the return, speaking to the restaurant's standing as a trusted community anchor rather than simply another dining option.

Hours and Menu Focus at the New Location

When the new Callahan's opens, the focus will remain on breakfast and lunch service. The restaurant plans to operate daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., staying true to the format that made it a morning destination for Elkhart residents for generations.

No significant menu changes have been announced. Lambrou indicated the goal is continuity — preserving the recipes and atmosphere customers associate with the Callahan's name.

City of Elkhart Responds to Reopening News

City officials welcomed the announcement publicly, framing Callahan's as an example of the family-run businesses that define Elkhart's commercial character.

"We were all bummed out when Callahan's announced that it was closing. We're very happy to hear that they will be reopening under the same family leadership. Family legacy businesses are very special. And we are blessed to have so many here in the City of Elkhart," the city said in a statement.

For Lambrou, the community response has reinforced her decision to carry the business forward rather than let the name fade with her father's retirement.

"It means a lot, and that gives me a lot of strength and encouragement that when we open up we'll do well and keep it going, because it has been a staple," said Miranda Lambrou, owner of Callahan's Restaurant.

Metro Diner is expected to take over the original Callahan's site on Cassopolis Street. Renovations at the new Starlight Square location are set to begin shortly, with a late July opening targeted for the returning family dining landmark.

Source: WSBT 22, Miranda Lambrou statements, City of Elkhart statement, May 26, 2026.