Around town roundup
Find out about a new Latin market and tapas bar, plans to renovate the Apple Store and post office closings.
Retail
Articles
HHGregg promotes three executives
Indianapolis-based electronics retailer HHGregg Inc. announced the promotions of three executives this morning, including
the appointment of a new chief financial officer.
Liquor stores fear push for Sunday alcohol sales
Some Indiana liquor store owners worry that a push to allow Sunday alcohol sales in the state could hurt their businesses
if lawmakers were also to permit grocery stores to sell cold beer.
Soft sales plague furniture retailers
Furniture is one of the easiest big-ticket purchases for consumers to defer when money is tight. Couple
that with a housing bust that left demand for new couches on the curb, and tight credit markets that
continue to prevent retailers from financing customers without perfect credit, and you’ve got the
worst market for furniture since the Great Depression.
Retailers report expected sales declines for August
Retailers today posted sales declines for August as shoppers held back on back-to-school purchases and continued to focus
on necessities, but overall results came in ahead of analyst predictions.
Kilroy’s will soon be here
The former home of Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill at 201 S. Meridian St. is getting a new tenant after sitting vacant for
more than two years. The Bloomington institution Kilroy’s plans to open a new location in the 8,700-square-foot space.
Steak n Shake chief snaps up more shares
Steak n Shake Co. CEO Sardar Biglari revealed in regulatory filings this week that he spent $1.1 million buying shares in
the locally based burger chain, an apparent vote of confidence in his own turnaround plans.
Shoe Carnival’s profit flat in second quarter
Evansville-based Shoe Carnival Inc. today reported flat profit and declining same-stores sales in its fiscal second quarter.
Bloomington’s Kilroy’s opening downtown Indianapolis outpost
Restaurateur Paul Murzyn has signed a lease for the 8,700-square-foot, first-floor
space at 201 S. Meridian St., a historic building with luxury condos upstairs.
MainGate Inc. racks up revenue with NFL deals
When Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings Aug. 18, cheers could be heard at MainGate Inc.’s 7900 Rockville
Road headquarters. Predictably, Favre jerseys went flying off the shelves—about 6,000 in the first 72 hours—and
MainGate gets to keep a portion of those sales. The Vikings are one of six teams the Indianapolis-based merchandising
specialist has signed deals with in 2-1/2 years, making MainGate one of the biggest retail players in the goliath of professional
sports leagues.
HHGregg, other retailers await stimulus jolt
Appliance retailers are poised to take a page from the car dealership playbook in promoting a new government program offering
rebates on energy-efficient washers, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Kahn’s wine emporium plans store on 86th Street
Kahn’s Fine Wine & Spirits plans to open a second location in a former O’Malia Food Market at the northeast
corner of 86th Street and Township Line Road.
Clunkers program a jolt for car sales, not a fix
Now comes the hard part for the auto industry – luring customers without big Cash for Clunkers discounts.
Barrington Jewels sparkles despite economic downturn
The recession has put the squeeze on many retailers, but fine jewelry is an exception, at least at Barrington
Jewels. Owners Goel and Mitra Ahdoot are seeing their business flourish.
Kmart closing Martinsville store
Kmart Corp. has notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development that its Martinsville store will close Nov. 30, costing
48 employees their jobs.
Deal returns Steak n Shake to steakhouse biz
The Steak n Shake Co.’s announcement this morning that it plans to purchase Western Sizzlin Corp. for about $23 million
puts the Indianapolis restaurant company back in the steakhouse business for the first time since exiting it nearly a decade
ago.
Daytime-only eatery eyeing Indianapolis
The Bradenton, Fla.-based First Watch restaurant chain is scoping Indianapolis for franchisees to open as many as a half-dozen
restaurants, a company spokesman said today.
Kahn’s taking former O’Malia store
Kahn’s Fine Wine & Spirits plans to open a second location in a former O’Malia Food Market at the northeast corner of 86th
Street and Township Line Road.
Handmade chocolates shop opens location in Chase Tower
Best Chocolate in Town is expanding beyond its original store on Massachusetts Ave.
Biglari consolidates power, as Steak n Shake rebounds
The Texas investor running the chain doesn’t seem like such a champion of transparency these days.