Best Buy to close its small-format mobile phone stores
The consumer electronics retailer is shutting down 250 small-format mobile phone stores in the United States, including two in the Indianapolis area.
Retail
Articles
Biglari works his critics into an uproar—again
Sardar Biglari might talk a good game about being a champion of shareholders, but his biggest critics view him as a hypocrite—thanks to a series of moves that furthered his control over the business, the latest of which has spurred one lawsuit and seems sure to spark others.
Dick’s ending sales of assault-style rifles in stores
Dick's Sporting Goods, a major U.S. retailer with eight stores in the Indianapolis area, said it will immediately halt sales of assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines at all stores and ban the sale of all guns to anyone under 21.
Starbucks says empty storefronts are leading to lower rents
Starbucks Corp. Chairman Howard Schultz said he sees a blessing in all the retail vacancies across the United States—landlords are beginning to reduce rents.
Papa John’s to end NFL deal as new CEO confronts sluggish sales
The NFL partnership has been strained since Papa John’s founder John Schnatter slammed the league in November, saying that declining ratings had hurt sales. He also said that Commissioner Roger Goodell mishandled the national anthem controversy.
Macy’s breaks out of slump with better-than-expected holiday sales
The department store chain, which has three stores in the Indianapolis area, reported a healthy sales gain for the holiday period as it benefited from an improving economy and its own initiatives, like an overhauled customer loyalty program.
Brown closes Mass Ave eatery, plans new restaurant project with Oesterle
One day after shutting down his upscale southern European eatery in the Mass Ave district, local restaurateur and chef Neal Brown disclosed he was moving on to an even bigger project in partnership with former Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle.
After contamination hiatus, Blue Bell ice cream returning to Indiana
The iconic Texas-based brand has been unavailable locally since 2015, when the company recalled all of its products nationwide to deal with a listeria outbreak. In addition to reappearing in stores, Blue Bell is reopening a distribution center in Indianapolis.
Community theater group losing Clay Terrace performance venue
The group has been putting on plays at a space in Carmel’s Clay Terrace shopping center for more than eight years, thanks in large part to the largesse of the landlord. Now it needs to find a new home.
Is fast-growing rival of Lids frontrunner to buy chain?
Some analysts say the logical buyer for Zionsville-based Lids Sports Group is Fanatics Inc., an online-only rival that has been on a tear while Lids has struggled.
Taco Bell overtakes Burger King as fourth-largest U.S. chain
The Mexican-themed chain eclipsed its burger rival in U.S. sales last year, becoming the fourth-largest domestic restaurant brand. The top three brands held on to their spots.
Simon to spiff up struggling Circle Centre with long-awaited renovation
Plans for the “multimillion-dollar” renovation include transforming the food court into a dining pavilion and upgrading lighting and finishes. But the plans don’t address the long-term viability of the struggling mall.
Beer, wine sales at Purdue football games top $500,000
Purdue found a fountain of new revenue last fall at Ross-Ade Stadium, after alcohol sales were expanded to the entire stadium.
Noblesville fine-dining fixture closing its doors
The Hamilton Restaurant, which husband-and-wife-team Clyde Worley and Vanita Clements opened in 2002, will stop serving by the end of the month.
UPDATE: Cookie shop latest tenant to desert Circle Centre
The cookie and ice cream shop’s closure is the latest in a string of recent tenant departures from the downtown Indianapolis mall. The mall recently filed suit against the shop
Themed trivia draws super fans to show off pop-culture knowledge
Bars have begun offering trivia nights focused on a particular pop-culture topic, instead of general trivia, which draws devoted teams of super fans.
Circle Centre not only option for downtown Target
If the Minneapolis-based retail giant finally takes the plunge downtown, it might be at another site that almost no one is talking about.
Bill alleviates liquor-permit scramble in suburbs
A state Senate bill aims to provide additional alcohol permits to a handful of municipalities, and even a major mixed-use development in downtown Indianapolis.
Wolfie’s Grill acquires longtime restaurant site on Geist Reservoir
Restaurateurs Scott and Nyla Wolf plan to open their fifth Wolfie’s Grill on the property, which has been home to several waterside restaurants over the past three decades.
High-end chocolate retailer latest to abandon Circle Centre
One of Circle Centre’s original tenants is preparing to close, more than 22 years after entering the Indianapolis market with the downtown store.