Craig Huse on St. Elmo, Growth and Stewarding an Iconic Brand

In this special episode of Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks on stage with Huse Culinary CEO Craig Huse, winner of the third annual Mickey Maurer Entrepreneur Award at IBJ’s Fast 25 event. Huse reflects on his path from washing dishes in Bloomington at age 14 to leading a hospitality company with nine restaurants, including the iconic downtown St. Elmo Steak House, Harry & Izzy’s and the 1933 Lounge, along with a consumer products business now sold in 40 states. He discusses growing an 84-year-old brand without compromising its standards, the decision to bottle St. Elmo’s famous cocktail sauce, why Harry & Izzy’s first location outside Indiana is opening in Scottsdale, Arizona and what it means to steward a brand he sees as part of Indianapolis.