Year's end to see end of Fletcher's

Indy.com Staff

December 04, 2007 by Indy.com Staff

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End of year will see end of popular Fletcher's of Atlanta restaurant in Hamilton County

For nearly 15 years, Fletcher Boyd has been serving up good food and good times at his restaurant on Main Street in northern Hamilton County's smallest town.

Renowned for the food he's served at Fletcher's of Atlanta, the chef will hang up his white overcoat on Dec. 31 and use his culinary skills only in the kitchen of his Cicero home.

"I've been in the restaurant business for 30 some years," he said. "I've always said that the restaurant business is a mean mistress and takes a lot of your time."

Fletcher's is among stops on a dinner train ride offered by the Indiana Transportation Museum. Art Hall, ITM board president, said the museum has had difficulty collecting fees from Fletcher's for passengers who ride the train to go to Boyd's restaurant.

"We're looking to collect $15,000 for previous Hamiltonian rides," Hall said. "We can't run up there for free."

Diners who board the Hamiltonian Dinner Express at the Fishers Train Station ride to the restaurant of their choice, which includes Fletcher's and Cicero restaurants Anvil Inn and Bleeker Street, and The Artist's Vineyard in Noblesville.

The cost per person to ride the train and eat at Fletcher's is $70, and Boyd is responsible for paying $22.50 of that price to the museum.

"Just because Fletcher's is going away doesn't mean the Hamiltonian is," Hall noted, adding that the board is looking into ways to improve the dinner train and provide more options for riders.

Boyd, 57, said his business with the museum has been an issue, and he's in the process of paying back about $15,000. But, that debt is not the reason he's closing the restaurant.

He said he'd like to go back to school and possibly teach. His wife, Gloria Boyd, is an art teacher for Sheridan Community Schools. The couple have two sons.

"I could probably teach culinary without going to school, but I've always been interested in math and have thought about teaching mathematics," he said.

The restaurant will be open beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through the end of the year. On Dec. 28 and 31, Boyd will entertain his guests with his show "Let's Play with Our Food," an eight-course meal that incorporates magic and cooking and how they're related.

And what of Fletcher's after that?

"I hope someone would want to continue with the tradition and take over the restaurant, and I'm willing to help them," he said, adding that his nine employees have been informed of the restaurant's closing.

"I will miss the people in Atlanta and our guests," Boyd said. "It was always like inviting people into your own home."

Katie Merlie / Star Correspondent

Forum: Restaurants & Dining

Tags: 

restaurant business, atlanta, hamilton county

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4 comments

Jolene@foodiemom.com
Jolene@foodiemom.com, December 4, 2007
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Hate to see him close; Fletcher has always offered great food, creative yet not fussy, with an emphasis on local/regional ingredients. But honestly, it's rare that I'd make plans to go; it's not a spur-of-the-moment location.

archetype
archetype, December 5, 2007
0 votes

Haven't eaten there in forever, perhaps a decade, as I'm located pretty far from Atlanta. Remember it as excellent, properly-prepared food. Obviously someone took pride in all aspects of dining. Last time it was late in the evening, things were winding down, Fletcher sat down at an empty table, invited me over, and we toasted life with a shot of whiskey. Somehow I don't seem to get this kind of food and experience at chain resturants. Good life and good luck, Fletcher.

tracy20
tracy20, December 6, 2007
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I am very sad to see Fletchers close! I have been eating at Fletchers since he had his place in downtown Indy! What a great guy and the food never dissapoints. We will miss you and I wish you the best in your new career. Will also miss you at Deer Creek, the best food they ever had out there.......Good Luck and Thanks for all your years of great food!

alex_davies
alex_davies, December 6, 2007
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It's very sad that Fletcher's is going away. I always hoped that this part of the world would become a destination for dining so that we wouldn't have to drive so far for good food. We've already lost the Waterfront and the Levee, and now Fletchers (not that I am in ANY way comparing those two to Fletchers...). I hope that Bleecker Street keeps going strong, and thank god the "new" Anvil Inn rocks. At least we have those. Hopefully someone will step up and keep the Fletcher's location going.

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