Chuck Surack at it again.

https://i.redd.it/e4kn9datkhne1.jpeg

created by Cyclejunky21 on 08/03/2025 at 15:43 UTC

364 upvotes, 21 top-level comments (showing 21)

Looks like Chuck bought the Bell Mansion. Thoughts?

Comments

Comment by FewConversation569 at 08/03/2025 at 19:45 UTC

43 upvotes, 0 direct replies

In an interview with Indiana Business Journal (I think), Chuck mentioned wanting to make Fort Wayne for art, what Indianapolis is for sports. Since he owns the USF Arts Center right there he probably has his eye on the entire block.

Comment by E__Rock at 08/03/2025 at 16:41 UTC

163 upvotes, 4 direct replies

He's a friend of the family and I will say though some of his business practice is cut throat, he honestly just wants the best for Fort Wayne. There are so many others taking town money out of town but he has doubled down on helping the town.

Comment by crousscor3 at 08/03/2025 at 16:07 UTC

17 upvotes, 0 direct replies

https://www.21alivenews.com/2025/03/07/bell-mansion-transition-new-ownership-under-surack-enterprises/

Comment by MegaBusKillsPeople at 08/03/2025 at 16:11 UTC

128 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Chuck could have abandoned this city years ago, but he chose to stick around. He's poured more money into it than anyone in the city's history.

Comment by Reasonable-Two-9872 at 08/03/2025 at 15:47 UTC

84 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Dude just wants people to eat, drink, and be merry

Comment by AdSudden3941 at 08/03/2025 at 15:58 UTC

27 upvotes, 1 direct replies

No dog in this fight , but I think he has plans for that side of the city

Comment by mahlerlieber at 08/03/2025 at 17:17 UTC

29 upvotes, 0 direct replies

The Surack foundation does a lot for underprivileged people, especially kids. The Pearl Arts Academy is an amazing building that spruces up an otherwise messy part of town, but it offers all kinds a musical and theater arts for kids who can’t afford lessons.

While his holdings are usually arts based (and he is a musician), they are not vanity projects at all.

Well…maybe the Italian restaurant and Sweet Cars…the helicopter thing is just a smart business decision.

Comment by pathmaker3 at 08/03/2025 at 23:22 UTC

17 upvotes, 1 direct replies

All I know, if your kid is currently in an FWCS music program playing an instrument you have not paid a dime for, you can thank him. Kids getting instruments handed to them for free as long as they stay involved.

Comment by ResearcherNo6820 at 08/03/2025 at 20:00 UTC

14 upvotes, 1 direct replies

If he shows up for a charity event, he will usually write a $5K check.

Comment by BMJTFB at 09/03/2025 at 16:02 UTC

9 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Fort Wayners don’t notice when a local millionaire gets rich and then takes their wealth and their leadership to a warmer climate. The business people who stay and reinvest like Foellinger, Wells, Freiman, Franke, Sweeney, Shoaff—and now Surack—are subject to all kinds of scrutiny. Attend just about any community event, and you'll see Surack Enterprises and/or Sweetwater have given and given and given to help make them possible. I know two people who have worked closely with Chuck for most of their careers, one of which who knew him pretty intimately, and they said he was always fair, driven, FW-focused and trying to do the right thing. If Chuck is staying in Fort Wayne and breathing life into our hospitality, aviation and performing arts community (and just about every nonprofit in town,) l'm all for it.

Comment by Mediocre-Catch9580 at 08/03/2025 at 17:57 UTC

4 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Ok now I like that meme 🤣🤣

He doesn’t own Sweetwater anymore does he? I thought he sold that to a buying group out of Chicago??

Comment by VintageVanShop at 09/03/2025 at 02:03 UTC

4 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Don’t know much about the dude, but be happy he is investing in the city.

Columbus has Les Wexner who does donate money to hospitals, but built a creepy town outside of the city instead of investing in the downtown. He is a creep though, so maybe it’s for the best.

Comment by Impressive_Ice6970 at 08/03/2025 at 18:43 UTC

23 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Fort Wayne is lucky to have Chuck. I gotta believe most people who hate him haven't met him. I've seen him do so many generous things. He loses money on some of the things you all are complaining about, but he does it for the city. He's received literally dozens of awards for his over the top philanthropy. He's about as good a billionaire as you could have. I trade him for Cuban but that's about it.

Comment by beerdudebrah at 08/03/2025 at 19:21 UTC

6 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Sweet Mansion

Comment by CountryRoads2020 at 08/03/2025 at 15:51 UTC

2 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Really? I thought it was bought by a local woman, young. I heard her interviewed on KGRA Radio last year.

Comment by Equivalent_Tea8061 at 08/03/2025 at 18:29 UTC

0 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Chuck is one of the good ones!

Comment by PrizzaPruppets at 08/03/2025 at 21:48 UTC

1 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I said hello to him when I was working at Sweetwater. He was standing in the lobby, I walked up and said "hello". He looked at me, turned, and walked away.

I'm happy that he invests in Fort Wayne though.

Comment by [deleted] at 09/03/2025 at 04:00 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

[deleted]

Comment by Tumorhead at 08/03/2025 at 18:24 UTC

-18 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Uhg Surack sucks he ruined the Clyde. We could've gotten cool bands to come to town finally with a mid size venue but now it's shitty dad rock only.