Barnes & Noble uses COVID-19 shutdown to refresh stores
It’s part of a chain-wide move to give store managers more autonomy. Also this week: Apocalypse Burger, Enterprise Car Sales, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
Retail
Articles
Simon Property Group diving into retail ownership
Simon is veering into retailer ownership in a substantial way, emboldened by its successful partnership with two other firms to buy the teen-oriented mall chain Aeropostale out of bankruptcy court in 2016.
Speakeasy-style whiskey bar coming to Mass Ave
The historic Hammond Block building will be the second location for the bar that started in South Bend. Also this week: Fresh Thyme, The Empty Vase, Forever Gallery, Lily & Sparrow, Kits & Kaboodle and more.
Jeans retailer Lucky files for bankruptcy, with Simon-affiliated group bidding to buy company
Lucky said it plans to close 13 stores and could shutter more during the bankruptcy process.
ROUNDUP: JP Parker Flowers vacates Indy store, adds retail truck
The interruption in downtown convention business caused the closure. Also this week: Studio C, Tandoor & Tikka, Peppy Grill, The Fudge Kettle, 21st Amendment Wine & Spirits.
Pandemic shutdown helps local garden centers blossom
Stay-at-home orders led central Indiana homeowners to spend money on their outdoor living spaces, even after a slow start to spring.
Coworking chain taking over former restaurant space in Circle Centre
The lease will be COhatch’s second with Circle Centre landlord Simon Property Group. The firm previously announced plans to open a coworking space at Simon’s Hamilton Town Center in Noblesville.
Macy’s cutting 3,900 corporate jobs as layoffs hit headquarters
The job cuts are in addition to the staff reductions already taking place inside stores, along the Macy’s supply chain and in customer support roles.
Dollar General to bring new urban-concept DGX store to Mass Ave
DGX represents a new direction for Dollar General, which has traditionally focused on small-town and rural locations. Also this week: Quaff ON!, Bru Burger, Jiffy Lube, Tire Discounters, 16 Bit Bar + Arcade.
GNC files bankruptcy, plans to close up to 1,200 stores
The health and wellness company’s Chapter 11 petition filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court allows the retailer to keep operating while it pursues a dual-track process to restructure its balance sheet in a standalone plan or complete a sale
Noblesville game shop set to open store on Mass Ave in July
It will be the second location for Moonshot Games, which opened its Noblesville location in 2018. The company says business is booming despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virus pummels commercial real estate, could end long boom
Office tenants are considering renting less space as more employees work from home, and the trend toward online shopping is accelerating, which could cut already weak demand for retail space in downtown areas and malls.
Pittsburgh-based restaurant-and-bar chain closes last Indy location
Primanti Bros., which is known for serving french fries on its sandwiches, has permanently closed its downtown restaurant in Circle Centre Mall, at 49 W. Maryland St., according to its Facebook page.
Retail real estate scions to battle in court–again
David Simon and Bobby Taubman are battling now in court over whether Simon Property Group is obligated to complete the $3.6 billion purchase of Michigan-based Taubman Centers that it announced in February.
City’s last traditional costume shop closes permanently after 50 years in business
Costumes by Margie, which opened in 1970, almost changed ownership last month, but the pandemic ruined those plans
Fast-casual Mediterranean chain coming to Indy
Up to five more locations could open in the next 16 months. Also this week: The Black Acre Loft, Dave & Buster’s, Gold Leaf Savory & Sweet
Mass Ave Toys closes after 14-year run
The owner, who has operated toy stores for more than 40 years, said she closed the shop so she could retire.
U.S. retail sales increase by record 17.7% in a partial rebound
Sales at non-store retailers, which include internet companies like Amazon and eBay, rose 9% in May after posting growth of 9.5% in April.
5 ways the pandemic is changing fashion and beauty trends
Sales of eye makeup are on the rise as Americans look for ways to express themselves behind face masks while staying six feet apart.
Indianapolis-area Popeyes restaurants under new ownership
The new franchisee for the 16 Popeyes locations is Cincinnati-based Gilligan Co., which operates convenience stores and quick-service restaurants including Subway and Dunkin Donuts.