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.”
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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.
New owner of Giorgio’s Pizza hopes to sling slices beyond downtown
Elif Ozdemir purchased the eatery at 9 E. Market Street in November with the goal of keeping the existing pizzeria largely as is—although she plans to add a food truck.
Upscale steakhouse with Indiana pedigree to open downtown
It will be the third Indiana location for Fort Wayne-based Eddie Merlot’s, which plans to take over space in one of downtown’s oldest buildings vacated last year by Red the Steakhouse.
Champagne and shoes: Luxury stores adapt to changing shopper
New entrants have disrupted the luxury sector by creating different channels to attain the seemingly unattainable. For luxury department stores that once had a lock on where the well-heeled could shop, that has forced them to reimagine their approach.