OCTOBER 25-31, 2010
This week, see what Steak n Shake has cooking when it comes to store design and read about how an old-school costume shop helps customers dress to thrill. In Focus, find out how farmland sales are faring in the 'burbs. And get IBJ publisher Greg Morris' take on the economic news of late.
Front PageBack to Top
Bird still has boss’ support, but also plenty of critics
This year might be Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird’s last shot to show that his skill assembling a team is on par with his talent as a player and coach.
Read MoreNew tool shuffles radio ratings
A new method of measuring radio listening habits has shaken up local station ratings, sending radio operators scrambling to re-evaluate formats and ad pricing.
Read MoreTax caps give township reform effort new life
A push to eliminate township government will return to the Statehouse next year—this time with a better shot at success. Township reforms, which have been vigorously debated but never passed, have been touted as a way to make government more cost-effective.
Read MoreTop StoriesBack to Top
Biglari shakes up Steak n Shake building format
The new prototype design for Steak n Shake restaurants will be smaller, featuring sections of floor-to-ceiling glass and an exterior that throws off a retro vibe, its signage attached to a protruding fin.
Read MoreOld-school costume shop survives new competition
Costumes by Margie isn’t a strip mall box store full of packaged—and disposable—costumes for sale. The shop has a variety of clothing and accessories for rent and a staff, including owner Cheryl Harmon, ready to help put together whatever disguise a customer can dream up.
Read MoreMuseum revamping security strategy to save money
A security overhaul at the Indianapolis Museum of Art promises to be more effective while saving the cash-strapped museum $600,000 a year. More than 50 gallery attendants are gone, and so is the front desk, replaced by visitor assistants, most of whom are local college students.
Read MoreFirm that ignored lawsuit now paying a hefty price
Tax-resolution firm JK Harris did not defend itself against a lawsuit and got pummeled as a result. Now, it’s brought in an attorney who’s trying to undo the mess.
Read MoreDeveloper tied to Ponzi slides into bankruptcy
Sydney "Jack" Williams earned commissions by persuading dozens of investors, many with Indiana ties, to lend millions of dollars to a business that turned out to be fake.
Read MoreProspects for City Market brightening at last
New tenants include fresh-item vendors such as a florist and produce shop, in addition to more healthful prepared foods such as juice, crepes and freshly prepared soup.
Read MoreAnalysts grill Lilly execs on strategy after setbacks
Wall Street analysts on Thursday demanded to know what new things Eli Lilly and Co. is planning since the company’s vaunted pipeline has failed to produce a drug that will boost revenue after a wave of patent expirations. The answer: Not much.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Farmland sales go flat in suburban Indianapolis
The real estate bust and a drought in transactions make values all but impossible to gauge.
Read MoreIndianapolis-area experts see bright spots amid ongoing real estate weakness
Health care shows signs of life, and multi-family buildings continue to hold their own, experts said during a recent IBJ Power Breakfast.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: State can’t afford to keep townships
Indiana lawmakers are gearing up for another legislative session, and township government reform will return to the agenda. We hope proponents can finally hit a home run.
Read MoreMORRIS: Not all economic news is bad news
If we listen too much to the financial channels, it will make us want to bury our money in a hole in the yard and get a Rottweiler to guard it.
Read MoreMARCUS: A penny is not worth a cent anymore
Ordinary saving by the ordinary citizen became a self-destructive activity in the 1970s and has shown only little improvement since then.
Read MoreGIGERICH: Education, economy are closely tied
Ten years into the 21st century, most people understand that a strong education system is vital to ensuring long-term economic development success. Where things become fuzzy is in defining what comprises a strong education system and, more important, the required outcomes of that system.
Read MoreALTOM: Can new technology make a toilet cleaner?
In a previous issue of IBJ, another columnist wrote that technology can raise the productivity of toilet cleaners. It wasn’t a central part of his argument, but as you might imagine, it caught my eye. I couldn’t resist looking into bathroom technology.
Read MoreHICKS: Early-childhood education benefits the economy
Plunging into the economics of diapers and pre-literacy programs hardly filled me with gleeful anticipation (though for the record I am a wicked-good diaper changer).
Read MoreHAUKE: Lofty expectations sting some high-profile stocks
Sometimes the inner workings of Wall Street confound the wily and the wise.
Read MoreCity can improve meters itself
You do not have to sell off the parking meters to bring the rates and service hours up to par with other Midwest cities.
Read MoreMaurer columns hit home
I want to express how much I’ve enjoyed reading [Mickey Maurer’s] commentaries the last few weeks.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
New ‘Superman’ fellowship hoping to start local charter schools
Playing off the new education reform documentary “Waiting for ‘Superman,’” the GEO Foundation is using a $100,000 grant to fund a fellowship to launch charter schools in Indianapolis.
Read MoreISO chooses young maestro Urbanski as director
Krzysztof Urbanski, 28, has been named the seventh music director in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s 80-year-history.
Read MoreSome Lilly-paid docs sport spotty records
Eli Lilly and Co. paid more than $102 million last year and early this year to physicians for talking up Lilly drugs to other doctors. Yet 88 of the doctors Lilly pays have been sanctioned by state medical boards.
Read MoreInternational Center of Indianapolis hires Hetrick to retool branding
The communications firm will develop a branding campaign and work on the center’s website.
Read MoreBlack-lit mini-golf course opens on Circle Centre’s fourth floor
Wichita, Kan.-based Opry GlowGolf LLC, which operates 20 similar courses around the country, took 6,500 square feet just up the escalator from the food court.
Read MoreMainGate signs merchandising deal with U.S. Golf Association
The local firm will operate the USGA’s catalog and online merchandise programs.
Read MoreNFP of NOTE: The Lawrence Township School Foundation
The Lawrence Township School Foundation ignites the power of community, connecting philanthropy and education to provide the resources needed for all children to excel.
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