Leeds Public House is putting history front and center as the new restaurant honors the early pioneer family.

“We really want to respect and pay homage to Michigan City and its history,” said Denise Burns, who owns the restaurant with her husband, John. “Leeds is stamped on the building at the top and when we found out they were a founding family … the name was a natural fit.”

The eatery at 401 Franklin St. opens July 31. Mishawaka native Mark Sabbe is Leeds executive chef and is bringing his background at Marchesa and Mercat a la planxa back to Indiana.

“My entire professional cooking career has been in Chicago,” Sabbe said. “We want to bring in upscale pub food.”

The long-standing building has gone through many transformations, housing a bank and Ryan’s Irish Pub until spring 2018. The space has been remodeled to showcase a sense of comfort along with the latest in technology and restaurant environmental standards, while embracing the past.

“There has been much thought and careful planning in building this restaurant,” Burns said. “We have taken care to respect the integrity of the building and the historic district of Michigan City.”