Input Fort Wayne

This story was made possible by support from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. Mya Yee Nadar performs during the World Refugee Day celebration at Franke Park’s McMillen Family Pavilion on Friday, June 19, 2026. Photo by Rachel Von Art LLC.

Nestled behind Rise Skateshop on Spy Run Avenue sits a compact but expertly packed shop. End tables are stacked atop a chest of drawers, and chairs perch on table tops. Artwork covers the walls, and almost every flat space is occupied by something – a clock, a magazine, a set of mugs. From floor to ceiling, The 6040’s is packed with midcentury furniture and furnishings. “My store is really small, but it’s worked out so far. I’ve had no hang-ups with it,” says Owner Lee Bender.

This story is part of Moving Fort Wayne Forward, a year-long reporting effort to engage residents, employers, and community leaders of Greater Fort Wayne around the possibility of a more modern, multimodal transportation system. Read the full series here. The history of Fort Wayne is the story of efficient and convenient transportation.

On a snowy Monday morning last winter, Dane Leitch awoke, dreading the piles of snow he’d need to shovel in front of his business. Leitch, owner of Aaron’s Fine Rug Gallery, had grown accustomed to the drudgery of winter snow removal over the years. But on this particular morning, he arrived to find the sidewalk already cleared, thanks to the services of Downtown Fort Wayne’s Clean & Safe program. Aaron’s Fine Rug Gallery, 1217 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

For 25 years, Mary Lou Leonard has been a resident of Bullerman Park Forest, a neighborhood of more than 200 homes located between Stellhorn and Trier Road. By her account, the neighborhood previously had an active association, offering garage sales twice a year, dumpster days, lawn-edging days, and more. Leonard had even served on the board for a couple of years. But four or five years ago, it “just kind of dissipated,” although it was not officially dissolved.

The Rotary Impact Club needs the help of Fort Wayne community members to help them gather data to revitalize Little Free Libraries all across Allen County and beyond. A Free Little Library, Photo by Monica Miller Over a decade ago, Rotary Club of Fort Wayne President Candace Schuler was a strong advocate for literacy.

In this self-titled column for Input Fort Wayne, Thomas Beckman — known online as @SoBrunchBabe – explores the intimacy of modern adulthood through social commentary, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a voice that is equal parts conversational and self-aware, he writes about the evolving identity of Fort Wayne alongside his own, examining relationships, ambition, identity, nightlife, burnout, friendship, and the performances we maintain both online and off.

Nonprofits and organizations working diligently on their mission-critical work within their communities don’t always have the time or resources to upgrade their facilities. Their buildings might be lacking adequate or energy-efficient heating, cooling, or utilize outdated lighting, which can be costly and end up draining their already thin budgets.

With teacher shortages and larger classroom sizes, not every child gets the attention they need to succeed in school. A unique partnership between Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) and local colleges helps to address this gap. Enter the federally funded EACH (Enhancing Access to Comprehensive Health) grant. Through these dollars, FWCS is increasing access to mental health services while creating a pipeline for future professionals in the field.

For 44 years, After Dark Nightclub has existed as a haven for Fort Wayne’s LGBTQ+ community. But it wasn’t always the sole place of its kind. Local advocate and entertainer Della Lish McGee recalls a time when Fort Wayne supported five or six distinct gay bars. Today, After Dark stands alone. This shift, however, isn’t necessarily a sign of a shrinking community. Instead, it reflects a broader societal acceptance.