Fishers Do-It Center getting name change, renovation after acquisition
Steve White, owner of White’s Ace Hardware, purchased the longtime Fishers business in December and is making big changes to the store.
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Indiana considers tougher retailer penalties with smoking age change
Congress’ decision last month to raise the legal age to 21 has made opposing it on a state level moot, and Republican leaders of the Indiana House and Senate are endorsing proposals with tougher penalties.
Macy’s sees some improvement but still closing nearly 30 stores
Macy’s sales at stores opened at least a year fell 0.6% during the November and December period, which was not as bad as most industry analysts had anticipated.
Hostel planned for former church, event center in Fountain Square
Plans for the hostel have been recommended for approval by city staff, because it “would be appropriate and would recognize [the building’s] historical and architectural value.”
Pier 1 Imports to close half its stores as sales falter
Pier 1 Imports, which is led by the former CEO of defunct retailer HHGregg, plans to shut down hundreds of stores as it struggles to draw consumers and compete online.
Cash-strapped Indy Parks seeks creative financing for community center
A deal to build a new family center at Broad Ripple Park could be just the first of several privately funded projects considered by the park system.
Bankrupt Celadon plans to sell 102-acre campus
Most of Celadon’s real estate holdings in Indianapolis are on the east side, where available industrial land is in short supply. So, observers say, the anticipated divestiture should attract plenty of attention.
Memory Bank: White River bridge collapses in 1902
The city finished repairs and upgrades to an 1870 bridge over the White River on Jan. 15, 1902. The next day, the middle section collapsed.
Wine bar, bistro extends lease in Conrad, readies for renovation
To expedite the top-to-bottom transformation, owner Ross Bailey plans to close the 3,500-square-foot establishment in the Conrad Indianapolis’ lobby for at least six weeks.
Washington Square Mall losing two more anchor stores
The closings this month will be the biggest blow to the mall since Sears shuttered its store there in 2014.
Fast-growing Office360 acquires Kentucky office-supply firm
The acquisition of 65-year-old Cardinal Workplace Solutions is the 10th for Office360 since its launch in 2008 and will help the company expand its footprint in Kentucky and Ohio.
Local developer proposes 195-unit apartment complex near Methodist Hospital
Arrow Street Development hopes to build two five-story buildings—each with ground-floor parking garages—as a single complex called Wesley Place on North Illinois Street.
Expect department stores, apparel retailers to continue to retrench in 2020
More than 7,600 stores closed this year through October, a record for that point in the year, according to Credit Suisse. And the outlook for 2020 doesn’t look any brighter.
Big Woods in Nashville closing for updates to menu, decor
The new menu will feature new twists on old dishes, such as meatloaf and fried chicken, and the decor will get a freshening-up, although there are no plans to expand seating.
As robots take over warehousing, workers pushed to adapt
While fears that robots will replace human workers haven’t come to fruition, there are growing concerns that keeping up with the pace of the latest artificial intelligence technology is taking a toll on human workers’ health, safety and morale.
ISU’s Dreiser Hall to get $18M renovation
The project will improve the 70-year-old building’s HVAC and plumbing systems, its fire suppression system and electrical needs and also bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
IBJ Podcast: The top Indianapolis-area stories of 2019
Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ Managing Editor Lesley Weidenbener and reporter Anthony Schoettle about Penske Corp.’s acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Eli Lilly and Co.’s biggest acquisition ever, trucking giant Celadon’s demise, Ambrose’s decision to pull back from the GM stamping plant site and more.
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: Ambrose pulls out of GM stamping plant project
Ambrose had detailed plans in 2018 for a $1.4 billion, mixed-use development called Waterside—and said construction would start in 2019. But on Sept. 27, Ambrose said it planned to reposition its business and move away from mixed-use and office projects, including Waterside.
2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: Scotty’s Brewhouse, Palomino, Granite City among 2019’s biggest restaurant closures
When Scotty’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2018, it had 19 locations, including seven Indianapolis-area Scotty’s Brewhouses and a Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Co. in Broad Ripple. By the middle of this year, most of those had closed, including all the Indianapolis-area sites.
10 news events that changed central Indiana in 2019
There was no shortage of huge news stories in central Indiana this year—with Roger Penske’s purchase of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the launching of the Red Line and the closing of trucking giant Celadon.