The biggest changes for the Muncie business scene in 2017

MUNCIE, Ind. – This year was a busy one for businesses in Muncie as coming, going and updating left a changed business landscape as we go into 2018. Here is a quick breakdown of what happened.

Goodbye to these businesses

One of the biggest loses this year was the closure of all four Marsh grocery stores in the area after the company filed for bankruptcy in May. 

Marsh was founded in Muncie in 1931 and for decades maintained warehouse space in Yorktown. At the first round of closures, they operated 72 supermarkets in Indiana and Ohio. Kroger, a rival grocer, quickly stepped in and bought the Tillotson and McGalliard locations about a month after they closed.

Several long-standing businesses closed their doors for the final time this year.

One business in the downtown sector that closed this year was The Towne Boutique.

Mattie Coleman, the owner who turned 90 this year, had been ill since spring, according to her daughter, Equilla Wainwright. The Towne Boutique sold a style of dressy clothing especially popular in church settings, including stylish hats that could be seen on display in the windows of the downtown storefront.

The family said Coleman, who was discharged from a rehabilitation facility in August, might continue to sell apparel, but not from the Walnut Street storefront.

Brinkman's Children's Shoes footwear closed on the city’s north side after 42 years in business.

The store announced its closing on Facebook in November, citing the owner's retirement as the reason. The post prompted almost 200 comments from people around the community, saddened by the soon-to-be loss

Frank Brinkman Sr. opened the shop and then passed the reins to his son, Tony Brinkman, who ultimately made the decision to retire and close the business. Since its start, Brinkman's has been in three different Muncie locations, the most recent at 720 W. McGalliard Road.

Ashcraft Jewelers also said goodbye after 43 years following the retirement of Joe Ashcraft. The inventory of the store was sold off right prior to their doors closing in late April.

From Meridian Health Services' annual Rialzo fundraiser to local church organization events, Ashcraft Jewelers had created a reputation of giving back.

A few relatively new businesses closed their doors this year as well.

This year the Muncie community lost the Firehouse Subs along McGalliard Road, marking and end to a boom of sandwich shops along the shopping corridor. Another new sandwich spot a block away, Jersey Mike’s, closed its doors in the fall of 2016.

At the time it opened, Firehouse Subs was one of 15 sandwich shops along McGalliard Road.

Another store, Let's Spoon Froyo, in the Village Promenade also closed. The announcement came two years after Ball State grad Trake Carpenter opened in March 2015 in the Village Promenade complex near Ball State University.

The brought up questions about the Promenade’s business outlook. Brothers restaurant and bar is currently the only open business occupant of the first-floor retail space along University Avenue.

Village Promenade was part of a public/private partnership between Investment Property Advisors, with offices in Valparaiso and Louisville, and the city of Muncie, which built a city-owned parking garage inside the larger, western-most Village Promenade building.

Hello to the new

As much as the loss of the four Marsh stores was a blow for the business sector and for area residents in 2017, gaining new grocery stores in the area was one of the biggest wins.

Hundreds of shoppers flooded Kroger's new Muncie Pay Less along McGalliard on Dec. 14 for the grand opening of the store. It is the first of two stores set to open in Muncie. The former Marsh store along Tillotson should open in the spring.

Brewery fans won big this year as well when it came to getting more variety in their favorite spots to eat, relax and enjoy a craft beer.

Elm Street Brewing added to its options by opening full food service at the end of the year, nearly doubling the size of the crowds you could find there on an average night.

The full menu, which can be found on the restaurant’s Facebook page, has been in place since Nov. 27.

The owners have quadrupled the staff (which used to be just a few bartenders) to better accommodate the increase in business.

One of the other breweries in Muncie also saw a huge change, as Guardian Brewing moved from its old location at White River Landing to downtown’s Madjax.

The owners announced over the summer that their brewery would be one of the first commercial tenants in the newly rebranded building at Jackson and Madison streets.

The new space allowed the brewery a new look and a massive 15-barrel brewing system. That system added a huge change to the look and the amount of beer the brewery can produce.

One of the other additions to Muncie’s hangout and beer scenes changed up the brew pub model by focusing on the three things you’ll see on their sign: Read. Drink. Converse.

Books & Brews, which opened Sept. 29, is a family-friendly styled brew pub that takes on the vibe of a coffee shop, restaurant, brewery and living room all at the same time. When you first walk into the restaurant at 2100 W. White River Blvd, Suite B you’ll see shelf after shelf of books and board games.

Beyond the food and the beer, the restaurant is trying to establish a place for people to come and relax, study, read and meet new people.

In order to cash in on the beer trend across the city, a new storefront in the Muncie Mall even joined in. Redemption Alewerks, a brew pub that announced in July its plans to open a beer kiosk in Muncie Mall, opened up its taps less than a week before Black Friday.

Redemption Alewerks partnered with Muncie catering company Once Upon A Plate, which will sell food for sit-in dining and to-go options at the kiosk. The restaurant has family seating, as well as a designated area for those age 21 and older.

A new coat of paint can go a long way, but some businesses did extensive remodels that changed the way they operate.

After a rapid tear down and reconstruction in 90 days of renovation, the McDonald's restaurant on Chadam Lane held a grand re-opening on Aug. 17.

In addition to a new look, renovations added indoor and outdoor digital ordering kiosks. Customers now have the option of placing an order via a touchscreen menu and having their food brought to their table.

Another local business to get a brand new look was the AMC Showplace Muncie 12. While the outside might look the same, the next time you catch a move it it might feel more like you're lounging at home.

The movie theater announced in November that its multi-million dollar theater renovation had been completed, with new amenities such as recliner seating, ticketless entry, a revamped concession area with new menu options — including alcoholic beverages — and a new IMAX theater.

There were several new businesses that caught a lot of attention from the public when they opened this year too.

Ninja of Japan, which also has a restaurant in Anderson, opened at 831 S. Tillotson Avenue, in a storefront formerly occupied by Great Steak & Potato.

Owner Tom Hua compared his restaurant to fast casual eateries like Chipotle, where patrons order at the counter and either take their food home or eat at tables inside.

When Burger King closed on Tillotson Avenue on July 16, the Kokomo-based owners of Muncie Burger King franchises wouldn't respond to questions from The Star Press about the fast food chain's future in the Muncie area, specifically about a rumored Nebo Road and Kilgore Avenue location in Yorktown.

But with work beginning at the corner, across from a longtime McDonald's location, Yorktown Building Commissioner Matt Ray confirmed that the site is being developed for a new Burger King.

MT’s Smokin Barbecue opened up this year at 1700 Wheeling Ave., moving from a trailer to the brick-and-mortar location. Mandy and Travis Thorrington have focused their efforts on two things: fresh smoked meat and a friendly face to go along with it.

The Red Apple Cafe opened in late September in the Oakwood Avenue building that was formerly home to Beef O'Brady's and Bambooda.

The Harmony Cafe opened in late summer in the 100 block of West Jackson Street.

What is next in 2018?

Going into 2018 there will be more businesses opening.

Crew Carwash is still under construction along McGalliard Road. The addition will be the company's 31st location in Muncie. The car wash is being built on a site formerly occupied by a liquor store and an auto parts store.

Construction continues on the Fresh Thyme supermarket along McGalliard Road not far from the Crew Carwash site. Company officials told The Star Press in August that the store should open in April or May.

Belle Tire, based in Allen Park, Michigan, is building its first Muncie location off McGalliard Road near Marleon Drive and Best Buy.

Kroger told The Star Press in September that it expected renovations of the Tillotson Avenue store will be complete in early 2018.