Trade Success
Tradewinds Restaurant and The Galley Sports Pub Continue to Make Their Mark on Elkhart
Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger
Photographer / Ali Schneider
At first glance, the sprawling complex that houses Tradewinds Restaurant and The Galley Sports Pub on the northern fringe of Elkhart is an impressive sight. Right away, its clear that this is not necessarily a place to grab and go, nor just another ordinary stop along the daily dash.
It is a venue for dining, but the establishments encompass far more than that. It is an immersive experience and a place where every visit becomes a celebration of the good life.
The origin of Tradewinds Restaurant dates back to 1990, when Kelly Nelson took ownership. She eventually handed the reins to her son, Steve Nelson, in 1998, and in 2007 Jason Reynolds was recruited to assume the responsibilities of operating partner.
The frenetic pace and success of the business have only increased since then. Reynolds, an affable and engaging conversationalist, has a full plate these days, in more ways than one.
There have been many changes to the business in recent years, including an expansion that extends to the environment of The Galley as well. Each business has done well with regard to both customer traffic and establishing its own identity and vibe. For example, Reynolds explains, The Galley team is working to entice patrons by touting its spirits bar, soon to include high-end, one-of-a-kind moonshine. The latter has generated such a buzz and excitement among the employees that they are undergoing special training to learn the specificities of the process.
In keeping with the sport-fueled environs, guests can also enjoy the lively tiki bar, gather with friends around the large-screen televisions, enjoy a bit of friendly competition in the game room, and test their precision on the dartboards. There is also a shuffleboard court, sand volleyball leagues, pool tables, and live music every Friday evening. For a grander scale of rambunctious 
rivalry, Reynolds notes that a few popular events include Tuesday-night Friendly Feud games and Queen of Hearts drawings. He is also quick to add that although the season has now passed for sand volleyball, there might be something similar in the works involving snowballs in lieu of volleyballs.
Two of the most appealing aspects of the menu at Tradewinds are all-day breakfast and all-day dinner. Reynolds says customers are very willing to mix and match entrées and drinks, and many late-night workers appreciate the service. If someone wants French toast and beer at 3 in the morning, then thats what well give them, he says. Daily lunch specials are in rotation Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and appetizers and charcuterie boards are available as well.
Another feature that has skyrocketed in popularity, Reynolds says, is the addition of catering. In a fairly short amount of time, he says, Tradewinds has emerged as a preferred caterer for institutions like the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce and Elkhart Community Schools. They have been chosen to provide dishes for everything from wedding receptions to small business meetings to large-scale community affairs. Presently, Reynolds notes, they receive approximately seven to eight jobs per week.
Reynolds says carry-out and delivery requests are also increasing. They partner with DineIn, Uber Eats and DoorDash, and he estimates approximately 10% of their daily business includes these services.
Tradewinds Restaurant and The Galley Sports Pub are located at 3147 Northview Drive in Elkhart. Call 574-333-2020 for more
info, and to view their full menu and see testimonials from satisfied customers, visit tradewindsgalley.com.
