Burkes Outlet, a discount department store, is opening in February in the former Gordmans location at 1505 E. Tipton St., in Seymour. January Rutherford | the tribune

A discount department store, a popular pizza restaurant and a Mexican ice cream shop all are planning to open new locations in Seymour in early 2021.

Burkes Outlet

Burkes Outlet will fill the vacant 23,000-square-foot space left by Gordmans in Village Center at 1505 E. Tipton St.

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Gordmans closed earlier this year after only two years in Seymour. The business’s parent company, Stage Stores Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 but failed to secure financing to continue operations.

According to the Seymour Chamber of Commerce, Burkes is scheduled to open in February. It joins newcomer Ollie’s Bargain Outlet as the newest retail chain store in the city.

Burke’s Outlet offers shoppers the latest trends in name brand clothing, shoes, accessories, home decor and housewares, toys, and beauty products at up to 70% off retail prices.

The outlet chain began in 1987 and was started by E.R. Beall, son of Bealls Department store founder, Robert M. Beall Sr. The chain opened in Florida with three locations and quickly added more across the state and two locations in Arizona.

There are now more than 400 Burkes Outlets in 13 states. The closest one to Seymour is in Bedford.

Chicago’s Pizza

Named after the Chicago-style pizza it’s famous for, Chicago’s Pizza will open a location on the city’s east side in the first quarter of 2021.

The restaurant is currently under construction at 1940 E. Tipton St. in the 2,562 square feet of vacant retail space between Freddy’s Steakburgers and Athletico Physical Therapy.

Chicago’s Pizza was established in 1979 in Beech Grove by Bob McDonald and Ron Epple.

In 1984, Dave Childers joined the business as a manager of a Chicago’s Pizza in Indianapolis. He went on to own and operate a location in French Lick and then became franchiser after McDonald’s retirement.

Now there are 15 Chicago’s Pizza restaurants across the state of Indiana with the closest one being in Columbus.

The menu consists of pizza made from daily handmade dough, freshly made pizza sauce and high-quality cheese and toppings, sandwiches, pasta and sides.

La Michoacana

Mexican ice cream and frozen treats from La Michoacana have been available in the United States for more than 25 years through retail vendors.

But the business is making its debut in Seymour next month with a new 3,200-square foot ice cream shop in the former Sonya’s Party Plus building at 101 W. Tipton St.

It will serve a large dessert menu including fresh homemade ice cream, shakes, smoothies, dairy-free options including frozen fruit bars, popsicles shaved ice and traditional Mexican treats.

One popular menu item is esquite which is corn, mayo, Mexican cheese, lime, chili powder and a secret seasoning to give the corn flavor.

An online menu is available at lamichoacanaicecreamfactories.com/Menuonline.Html.

Based in Modesto, California, the La Michoacana brand is known for prepackaged ice cream bars, popsicles and other frozen treats that are made with fresh cream, fruits, nuts and chocolate.

The Seymour location is independently owned by four partners: Francisco Marin, Fernando Marin, Marco Marin and Marco Antonio Marin. This is the first franchise that they’ve owned.