By: Stephen McCollum

From construction to cooking, Casey Dick, owner of The Pit Stop, has always liked working with his hands. 

He worked for several years as a general contractor doing home renovations before deciding he wanted to open a business in Hartford City.

After some research, he purchased the lot at the corner of N. Walnut and Kickapoo streets in the summer of 2018. Clearly he learned something as a house turnaround artist, because in nine months he built and opened The Pit Stop.

At least a few people are glad he did.

“Food is delicious and they are really friendly.”

“Amazing service and awesome food.”

Facebook users can keep up with The Pit Stop’s weekly menu offerings and plan in advance of their arrival. 

Dick has parlayed his experience smoking meats on large cookers into a hit with drive-through customers.

“Best burger I’ve ever eaten,” said one recently.

Maybe it was the cheeseburger cooked with a mesquite blend pellet to yield a perfect smoked flavor?

Other customer favorites in the opening weeks have been the flavored drinks—from cotton candy to chocolate cokes. 

Dick and his wife, Jayci, have three children. Maybe that’s why during the fall break for Blackford County Schools they teamed with Community and Family Services to offer more than 250 free meals to children age 16 and under. 

“We really appreciate the support we’ve received so far and we want to be a part of the community we serve,” said Dick. “We’re really impressed by how supportive people are for locally owned businesses.”

His choice of the N. Walnut Street location fits right in with the overall economic development vision for the city to renovate and restore the housing stock and to foster new business development along the two main corridors—Highways 3 and 26.

For someone only ten years out of high school, Casey Dick has demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit that small communities need to sustain themselves. 

Might his first lesson from this new venture be an omen for things to come?

“I’ve learned that this building is not big enough!”