City of Hobart welcomes The Dugout on 4th to downtown with ribbon cutting ceremony

The City of Hobart welcomed its newest locally owned family-friendly restaurant at a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Dugout on 4th on August 4. The ribbon cutting included plenty of opportunities to get to know The Dugout on 4th’s owner – Hobart native Erica McCoy – as well as check out everything the restaurant has in store for the city.

As someone who calls Hobart home, McCoy wanted to honor Hobart’s local traditions as well as provide a space for her community to gather and connect. The Dugout on 4th does both while also offering a selection of comfort foods and hometown favorites like gyros, hot dogs, and pizza, among other dining options. The restaurant opened in January of 2026 and has continued to grow in popularity throughout the year.

“We’re having our grand opening a little later than our opening in January, but we’ve had great support from the community so far,” McCoy said.

In addition to McCoy, Hobart Economic Development Director Marcos Rodriguez was at the ceremony to welcome attendees to The Dugout on 4th. The city is committed to helping its locally owned businesses flourish because it’s these businesses that help Hobart succeed.

“We’re absolutely ecstatic to be here in partnership with The Dugout on 4th to celebrate their ongoing and future success here in the city,” Rodriguez said. “Small, local businesses are really the heartbeat of downtown, and we’re absolutely honored to be here to see the revitalization of our downtown corridor and the advantages small businesses bring.”

Attendees of the ribbon cutting had a chance to meet some special guests, including SouthShore RailCats mascot Rusty the RailCat. They could also enter a free giveaway for prizes ranging from gift baskets to all-inclusive tickets to see the Chicago Cubs. Samples of gyros, hot dogs, and burgers were free for the taking throughout the event.

Despite being open for less than a year, The Dugout on 4th has quickly made a name for itself in the city as both a hangout spot and a community partner. Programs like Wiener Wednesdays help make dinner affordable every week, while Gyros for Heroes offers a 25% discount to uniformed first responders who visit the restaurant.

Businesses like The Dugout on 4th are a key part of the city’s economic and social strategy.

“The Dugout on 4th is not just a small local business in Hobart; they’re great community partners,” Rodriguez said. “They support organizations like the Little League, and they have some great programs here. They’re contributing to the absolutely fantastic community and cultural fabric of the city itself.”

The Dugout on 4th is located at 438 E. 4th St, across from City Hall. Make sure to follow the restaurant on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest deals, specials, and events!

The Dugout on 4th is just one of the many exciting additions and renovations happening in the City of Hobart this year. From renovations in Festival Park to downtown revitalization efforts, work in the city is in full swing. Visit cityofhobart.org to learn more.