Mall giant Simon chops corporate staff as COVID-19 wreaks havoc
The company is cutting more than 100 employees and furloughing others as it weathers the temporary shutdown of much of the retail industry.
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Retailers furlough 500,000 despite stimulus; more expected
Millions more are in danger of being furloughed or fired as chains reel from nationwide closures that started about two weeks ago and have totaled nearly 50,000 locations.
Sushi restaurant opens in former Milano Inn
The restaurant, part of Holladay Properties’ LaGrotte Square development, opened on the same day that a coronavirus-related prohibition on in-house restaurant dining took effect. The owners say they’ve seen good support from neighbors who have come for take-out orders in the restaurant’s first week.
Musk restaurant group closes Indy locations, won’t reopen one after virus scare
Upscale restaurant Hedge Row and the more casual Next Door both opened in Indianapolis in 2018. Both are part of The Kitchen Restaurant Group founded by Kimbal Musk.
Social distancing shifts many small businesses into survival mode
Concerns about the spread of COVID-19 have put in peril thousands of businesses, from restaurants and hotels to airlines and manufacturers of consumer goods.
Walmart hiring 150,000, starting parking lot virus testing
While retailers such as Macy’s Inc., Kohl’s Corp. and J.C. Penney have been forced to temporarily close their stores, others like Walmart and Costco Wholesale Corp. are experiencing a surge in sales normally seen around the holiday peak.
Gouging complaints surge across nation amid pandemic
Across a country where lines are long, some shelves are empty and patience is thin, authorities are receiving a surge of reports about merchants trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, phony cures and other scams.
Local high-end restaurants adapting to in-house dining restrictions
Some are switching their menus to carryout-friendly fare and redeploying servers as delivery drivers.
Ikea temporarily shutting down all U.S. stores
The international retailer opened its Fishers store in October 2017.
Panic buying leaves retailers scrambling to restock
Grocers big and small are hiring more workers, paying overtime and limiting purchases on certain high demand items as they scramble to restock shelves that have been wiped out in response to the global viral pandemic.
U.S. retail sales fell in February ahead of virus impact
The report suggests consumers had already begun to scale back on spending before the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. began accelerating.
Amazon to hire 100,000 in U.S., raise pay by $2 per hour to keep up with demand
Raises will go to workers at Amazon’s warehouses, delivery centers and Whole Foods grocery stores, all of whom make at least $15 an hour.
Hogsett closes gyms, entertainment venues and nightclubs—and warns against local travel
The order will be in effect for at least seven days. Hogsett plans to seek permission from the Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday night to extend the order to April 5.
Handcrafted gift shop Artisans set to open on Mass Ave
The shop, which will sell handmade items from artisans in the United States and abroad, is taking the space formerly occupied by the gift shop Pumkinfish. Also this week: MAC Cosmetics, Burlington Stores, Aldi.
Louie’s Wine Dive closes Mass Ave location
The closure marks Louie’s Wine Dive’s exit from Indianapolis. The company closed its Broad Ripple location in September.
Greenwood entrepreneur turning Franklin church into commercial venue
It will add to a mix of new businesses in the town center. Also this week: Dave & Buster’s, VetIQ, Jiffy Lube, Ross Dress for Less, Sears Outlet and more.
McCammon’s Irish Market acquires Brownsburg garden center
Greg and Lisa Frazee, who opened Frazee Gardens in 2008, will continue to own and operate Brownsburg Landscape Co., which they founded in 1987.
Best Chocolate in Town acquired, closes Mass Ave store
Longtime local candy company The Best Chocolate in Town has been acquired by Indianapolis-based Newfangled Confections, which is known for it popular signature Frittle candy.
Historic downtown building up for sale
The building, at 42 E. Washington St., houses Gallery Forty Two art gallery and is believed to be the city’s oldest commercial structure.
Simon, other new Forever 21 owners in talks to keep most U.S. stores open
Authentic Brands Group, Simon Property Group Inc. and Brookfield Property Partners LP have finalized their $81 million acquisition of the struggling retailer, they announced Wednesday.