Retail – Page 192 – Indianapolis Business Journal

Struggling Noble Roman’s takes over franchisee’s 6 units

March 24, 2008

Noble Roman’s Inc. has taken over the operation of six franchised restaurants in Indianapolis in a bid to prove its concept
can be executed profitably. The move–which comes amid a chorus of discontent from franchisees and as the company explores
the possibility of selling itself–could help the 1,000-restaurant chain avoid the embarrassment of store failures in its
own back yard.

Farm Fresh clients pay a premium to support local growers, organics

March 24, 2008

Matt Ewer and his wife, Elizabeth Blessing, launched Farm Fresh Delivery LLC in July. With nearly 500 subscribers already,
the organically- and locally-grown-groceries delivery business is blooming in a segment where many large, mass-market retailers
failed during the dotcom bust.

Texas investor wins over Steak n Shake shareholders, aims for chairmanship

March 17, 2008

Texas investor Sardar Biglari rode a wave of shareholder anger to a landslide victory in his quest for Steak n Shake Co. board
seats. Now, the dissident 30-year-old investor who models his approach after Warren Buffett’s is hoping to deliver on his
promise to turn around the Indianapolis-based chain, with or without the chairmanship he covets.

Mall getting go-karts and golf

March 14, 2008

The new owners of Lafayette Square Mall are plotting a $12-million redevelopment that would add a go-kart track and PC gaming area to the former Lazarus. New York-based…

Rendering for Mass Ave project

March 7, 2008

What do you think of the proposed replacement for a one-story, township-owned structure on Mass Ave? (Click for a larger version.) The $9 million plan, proposed by…

Cultural Trail wins national kudos

March 5, 2008

A couple of topics to discuss:

More praise for Trail
In its March newsletter, New York-based Project for Public Spaces named Indianapolis one of five “Great Cities” thanks to the…

Newsstand could be history

March 4, 2008

The owners of Delaware News Co., one of the city’s last remaining old-school newsstands, are getting out of the business after more than a dozen years. Phil…

Rug dealers’ going-out-of-business sales aren’t always what they seem

March 3, 2008

Phony going-out-of-business sales long have plagued Oriental rug retailing here and across the country, dealers say. The industry
is susceptible because Oriental rugs can cost thousands of dollars, and many consumers lack the expertise to judge whether
a rug’s quality matches its price.

Fabric, French food and fillings

February 27, 2008

Today’s collection of retail and restaurant nuggets are brought to you by the letter F.

Eastside institution closing
Circle Fabric, a staple at 30th Street and Shadeland Avenue for more…

What’s old is new again

February 22, 2008

On this nasty Friday, I’ve got a few updates on previous posts. Hope everyone has a nice weekend. Here goes:

What was Flagstar thinking?
Flagstar Bank has added yet…

Circle Centre anchor struggles

February 21, 2008

The parent company of Circle Centre Mall anchor Carson Pirie Scott has joined a growing list of retailers struggling to stay afloat after disappointing fourth-quarter sales. About half…

Is mall’s sign a billboard?

February 20, 2008

The city waived several zoning requirements in allowing Simon Property Group to install a giant electronic sign at the entrance to Castleton Square Mall. The electronic portion of…

Latest real estate headlines

February 19, 2008

It’s a busy week for real estate news. Here are a few headlines:

Circuit City closes Clay Terrace store
Carmel’s high-end lifestyle center Clay Terrace has an empty big box. Virginia-based Circuit…

Retail woes continue with Cabela’s

February 1, 2008

Banking on the regional draw of outdoor retail giant Cabela’s, developers have been planning more than 100 acres of hotels, a water park, restaurants and other retail space for the southwest corner of…

Firm that sells sunglasses for large heads lands Wal-Mart deal

January 28, 2008

In March 2006, USA Today picked up a local newspaper’s profile of Indianapolis-based Fatheadz Inc., the company Rico Elmore
and two partners founded in 2005 to sell eyeglass frames for larger heads. That eventually led to the company’s big break:
A Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive read the article and ordered buyers to track down Fatheadz to make a deal.

Condo building nears completion

January 18, 2008

Workers are putting finishing touches on the exterior of a new 17-unit condo building dubbed 707 East North on the eastern edge of downtown. The $20 million…

Running Co. takes aim at sporting-goods giants

January 7, 2008

Retired Olympic distance runner Bob Kennedy and his business partner, Ashley Johnson, have expanded their Running Co. to four
stores. The most recent expansion is their boldest yet, pitting them against mall giants Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Finish
Line and Foot Locker for supremacy among south-side runners and walkers.

Going out of business

January 3, 2008

Several stores are calling it quits at local malls. The highest profile is the Macy’s at Washington Square. Other closings include Gap stores, a Limited Too and The Walking Co. Have…

Finale underway for Piano Merchant

December 26, 2007

The Piano Merchant is closing after almost 22 years in business at the corner of 54th Street and College Avenue. One of the three partners is ill and another…

Failing Noble Roman’s franchisees say chain doesn’t deliver on promises

December 24, 2007

Noble Roman's Inc. wrote an impressive comeback story by selling its home-grown pizza and subs concepts to hundreds of
gas stations, bowling alleys and food courts. But the Indianapolis company’s push to add stand-alone restaurants across the
country isn’t going as smoothly.

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