Life’s Better Here in Adams County

DECATUR, Ind. (WPTA) - From Berne to Decatur, you’ll find plenty of history and marks of the past in Adams county. But a few local spots are hoping to both keep members of the community around and bring in new visitors and residents.

One of those spots: Famous Monster Pizza. Famous Monster Pizza went viral after a TikTok gathered nearly half a million views. So we had to stop by and see what all the hype is about.

Max Miller says he’s been collecting monster memorabilia since he was about 12 years old. He decided to use his hobby to create a themed restaurant. The result: Famous Monster Pizza, which has been in business since 2018. The restaurant has turned into a destination for horror movie fans.

Since going viral a few weeks ago, business has really picked up. Max says people have been driving two to three hours just for a slice and to check out the memorabilia. Wait times can be several hours long.

As a Decatur native, Max is happy to play a part in bringing more people to town. That goal is also shared by Mayor Dan Rickord.

The Decatur Sculpture Tour began ten years ago. Mayor Rickord says the sculpture tour has brought people to town from all over the Midwest, leading them to local restaurants and downtown shops.

Since then, downtown businesses have updated their facades, and new sidewalks are going in downtown. The new Madison Street Plaza has allowed for concerts and festivals to also take place in the heart of Decatur.

While new building facades and sidewalks help, Mayor Rickord says it’s the people that play a key part in improving the community.

He hopes to keep that momentum going. He’s starting a new mayor’s youth council with high school students to get fresh ideas on how to make life even better in Adams county in the future.

So from horror-themed pizza parlors to places that let you express or admire your inner artist, those in Adams county remain committed to making and keeping life better here.