Happy Friday, Lafayette!

The time has come.

We’re launching something new in Lafayette: the Lafayette Lookout Dinner Club.

Six people. One table. A great meal and meaningful conversation.

📍Lafayette

🗓️ Wednesday, February 25th at 6:30 pm

🍽️ Book your seat

Can’t make this one? Sign up to get updates on future dinners!

If you go to the next segment in the newsletter, you will see a discount code for the first 5 people who sign up for the dinner and use it.

Hope to see you there!

Here’s what’s in Friday’s edition:

If you’re looking for a discount code for the first Dinner Club, you’ve come to the right place.

The code is: FIRST

Only the first 5 people who use it will get the discount. Make sure you apply the code when you check out at the end. Thank you for signing up!

If you've been craving something beyond the usual treats around town, let me introduce you to Choccotini Bakery, just across the bridge in West Lafayette (yes, I’m writing about more sweets and desserts. What of it?).

Choccotini is run by Anika, a Purdue student who has turned her little bakery into a weekly destination for seriously creative desserts.

What started as childhood magic in the U.K., watching simple batter transform into golden treats, has evolved into a full-blown passion for fusion baking. Anika brings together her British upbringing and Indian heritage to create desserts that tell stories through flavor, bridging cultures one bite at a time.

Here's how it works: Every Monday at 6:00 PM, Anika drops her latest creation on Instagram and email. Creations like Tiramisu Brownies, Strawberry Ube Matcha treats, Brown Sugar Milk Tea Bundt Cakes, Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding, Mango Lassi Cupcakes, and Ube & Black Sesame Cinnamon Rolls. Each week features a unique baked good paired with a handcrafted latte.

The menu is always changing, which keeps things exciting. Once you order through her form, you simply pick up your treats at a time slot that works for you. It's local and it's bringing flavors to the Lafayette area that you won't find anywhere else in town.

If you're looking to support a local student entrepreneur and treat yourself to something truly unique, follow Choccotini Bakery on Instagram and keep an eye out for those Monday drops. I was able to get my hands on one of this week’s cookies, and trust me. You won’t regret it.

Here are a couple of her links to get you started ⬇️

Mailing list to stay in the loop

Order Link

Website

In 1919, Harry’s Chocolate Shop was founded as a place to get fountain sodas and ice cream (So if you answered “speakeasy” for Tuesday’s trivia, you would be wrong!). The incorrect rumor that I mentioned in Tuesday’s edition is that “Go Ugly Early” was used as a speakeasy password during the Prohibition to get into the shop. It sounds cool, but it’s only a legend.

It wasn’t until after the Prohibition, in 1933, that Harry’s started serving beer. The beer replaced the ice cream and the rest is history. In 1967, the shop started serving alcohol for the first time.

Today, Harry’s stands as one of the oldest continuously operating establishments in the area. The building can still be found with “Chocolate Shop” painted on the side, not as evidence of a Prohibition era secret but as an honest label from when the shop originally opened.

Mayor Tony Roswarski delivered an optimistic State of the City address Monday, highlighting Lafayette's strong fiscal position and declining crime rates.

The city maintains nearly $18 million in reserves while lowering its tax rate 9.26% over four years. Part 1 crimes have been cut in half since 2002, with police arrest rates for gun crimes jumping from 30% to 65% thanks to new technology and the Public Safety Building.

Major economic wins include Caterpillar's $725 million expansion currently under construction, Subaru's first hybrid Forester rolling off the line this week, and a $400 million Sustainia biomanufacturing facility advancing through approvals.

Infrastructure projects dominate 2026: the John T. Myers Bridge closes this summer for rehabilitation, South Street sees major improvements, and the new carousel opens Memorial Day weekend. The 300-acre Gateway 65 Business Park near Subaru begins development this spring.

Downtown continues its revival with a retail popup program at Sixth and Main helping local entrepreneurs test business concepts with short-term leases.

Oregon at 12 Purdue

2/7 | 1 pm tip-off (Game is on CBS)

12 Purdue at 9 Nebraska

2/10 | 7 pm tip-off (Game is on FS1)

Purdue at Indiana

2/8 | 2 pm tip-off (Game is on B1G+)

Friday

36🌡️20 | 🌨️ | 50% | 💨9 mph

Saturday

21🌡️11 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨4 mph

Sunday

31🌡️12 | 🌨️ | 10% | 💨6 mph

Monday

39🌡️19 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨4 mph

Tuesday

44🌡️28 | 🌦️ | 10% | 💨5 mph

Dare to Bare

Riverside Skating Center | 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Lollipop Family Concert (Get Tickets)

Long Center for the Performing Arts | 7 pm

The Arts Federation Exhibits Opening Reception

The Arts Federation | 6 pm to 8 pm

Lafayette Winter Market

Bistro 501 Atrium at the Lahr | 8 am to 12 pm

Saturday Night Lafayette Comedy Gala (Get Tickets)

The Stables Event Center | 6 pm

Science Saturday

Imagination Station | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm

Upcycled Valentine’s Card Making Station

Golden Avenue Vintage | 12 pm to 3 pm

Howl Nights

Wolf Park | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Super Bowl Party

Imagination Station | 12 pm to 2:30 pm

Seed Starting Workshop 101 (Get Tickets)

Bennett’s Greenhouse | 1 pm

First Annual Super Bowl Watch Party

Digby’s Pub and Patio | 4:30 pm to 12 am

Photo Editing Workshop (Get Tickets)

Trackside Camera Supply | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Monday All Star Karaoke w/ JWOW

Knickerbocker Saloon | 9 pm to 1 am

Nat Myers (Get Tickets)

People’s Brewing Company & Taproom | 5 pm to 8 pm

Rom-Com Trivia

Madmushroom | 7 pm

TICT Tuesday

Battlefield Park | 10 am to 12 pm

Thank you for taking the time to read this far! If you have any suggestions for stories, restaurants to try, events going on, or cool things people are doing in the community, send them over!

Enjoy the weekend,

Blake | Publisher, Lafayette Lookout

P.S. Be on the lookout for an adoptable pet in next Tuesday’s edition👀