top of page

ABOUT

Copper Spoon opened up in March of 2015 under the name Wine Down but got its new name in October of 2018.  Over the first few years, Wine Down evolved into so much more than owners Gary and Kelly Skeel could have imagined.  The restaurant & bar is still 100% locally owned and developed by Gary and Kelly, who wanted to create a destination where people from all-walks could escape for a bit and feel as though they’ve been transported somewhere else.   The name, Copper Spoon came from then Beverage Director, Trevor Scovel, who had the name picked out as a possibility for his own bar someday.  But while under the direction of Gary and Kelly, Trevor was able to transform the bar inside Wine Down into that reality, and the two ideas merged.  Copper Spoon's bar has long been recognized as paving the way for some of the best cocktails & drinks in the midwest. in 2020 we were nominated for Best American Bar Team and Worlds Best Cocktail Menu by the Tales of The Cocktail Foundation's annual Spirited Awards. 

 

In 2018 as we rebranded to Copper Spoon, almost just as exciting as the rebrand itself, we brought on chef Aaron Butts. Twice nominated as a James Beard "Best Chefs in America" semifinalist, Chef Aaron brings a new level of excellence in food quality, taste, and presentation to our diners.  His experience and ideas are sure to make Copper Spoon's kitchen impress both Fort Wayne locals and out-of-town foodies. Aaron has been a pioneer in the local food scene establishing & maintaining relationships with many local food suppliers & farmers. 

Copper Spoon's menu would not be possible without the help from these wonderful local farms & producers: Wood FarmsFischer Farms, Hoffman OrganicsHawkins Farm, Gunthrop Farm, Berry Hill FarmWindrose Learning Farm, GK Baked Goods, and Zinnia's Bakehouse, and more, who are all located here in Indiana.  

 

Nominated "Best American Bar Team" -2020 Spirited Awards

 Nominated "Worlds Best Cocktail Menu - Top 100" -2020 Spirited Awards

"Best place in the city for a cocktail" -FORT WAYNE MAGAZINE

"Award of excellence" -WINE SPECTATOR

"Best fine-dining restaurant"-FW READERS CHOICE  

"Best downtown restaurant"-FW READERS CHOICE

"Best Steak" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best locally owned restaurant" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best cocktail garnishes" -FORT WAYNE MAGAZINE

"Best Chef" Aaron Butts -FWN READERS CHOICE

"Best martini" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best margaritas" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best cocktails" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best downtown bar" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best happy hour" -FW READERS CHOICE

"Best wait staff" -FW READERS CHOICE

bottom of page