Joint chocolate factory and dinosaur museum coming to Indiana

The owner of South Bend Chocolate Co. has something big in store for St. Joseph County.

Exterior of Monument Circle's South Bend Chocolate Company Cafe

Though the new project won’t be located downtown, it’ll just be a ~2.5-hour drive away.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Soon, Indiana will have a place where 300 million-year-old tortoises and chocolate turtles collide.

South Bend Chocolate Co. owner and paleontology enthusiast Mark Tarner is building an 18,000-sqft dinosaur museum that will include a 60,000-sqft chocolate factory in northwest South Bend. Mark already has plans to display dinosaur bones he found himself on a fossil dig.

The 90-acre complex will also feature a restaurant, farmers market, public house, and hiking trails. Tubing in the winter, a buffalo enclosure, and a lookout point are also planned for outside.

Construction is now underway on the $20 milion agritourism destination and it’s expected to create 144 full-time jobs. Follow along on Facebook for updates on the project, which set to be completed by early 2024.

More from INDYtoday
Directly north, east, south, and west of Indianapolis, cities across the world await.
Stout’s has been owned and operated by the Stout family since 1886. Here’s a quick history lesson on the storied shoe store.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Avoid sending your no-longer-needed items to the landfill and donate them to these local organizations instead.
The Arrows were announced in 1985, but plans for the MLB team’s formation fell through shortly afterward. Here’s what happened.
Avril Lavigne? Check. Keith Urban? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Needlepoint is one of the hottest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where you can learn the craft, pick up supplies, and meet other stitchers in Indianapolis and central Indiana.
Celebrate spring with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and much more at these special Easter brunches from local restaurants.
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting women in Indianapolis making history through their work happening right now.
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Indy’s many beautiful patios.