The second-largest company in the movie-rental business behind Blockbuster Inc. is immediately closing 760 locations. The
chain operates 14 stores in central Indiana,
according to its Web site.
The Mystery Co. in the Arts & Design District plans to host a farewell party Jan. 30, and close for good a few
days later.
The bill would require pet stores to put information about the dog or cat on its cage in the store, including the animal’s
medical history, the name of the breeder and any congenital disorders.
Airport concessionaires stung by a 10-percent drop in passenger traffic have asked the Indianapolis Airport Authority to ease
a policy that was implemented more than 10 years ago to keep prices in line with what consumers pay outside
the airport.
Two key employees of the recently closed store in downtown Bloomington have opened their own venture,
Melody Music Shop.
Like zombies coming to life in a low-budget horror flick, the Halloween specialty shops that invade empty store fronts are
groaning with activity.
Phony going-out-of-business sales long have plagued Oriental rug retailing here and across the country, dealers say. The industry
is susceptible because Oriental rugs can cost thousands of dollars, and many consumers lack the expertise to judge whether
a rug’s quality matches its price.
Retired Olympic distance runner Bob Kennedy and his business partner, Ashley Johnson, have expanded their Running Co. to four
stores. The most recent expansion is their boldest yet, pitting them against mall giants Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Finish
Line and Foot Locker for supremacy among south-side runners and walkers.
Local-toy-store veteran Natalie Canull is now operating a bustling store on Massachusetts Avenue that’s narrowly focused on
upscale toys–a niche that keeps her out of the path of mass-market heavyweights like Toys “R” Us and Wal-Mart.
Convenience store stalwart Village Pantry has launched a $15 million plan to renovate 146 stores and is eyeing acquisitions
that could double the chain’s size in three years. The moves come as Village Pantry separates from parent Marsh Supermarkets
Inc., a company that for years treated the convenience-store division as a redheaded stepchild.
Americans are spending more than ever on their four-legged friends, and savvy central Indiana entrepreneurs are among those
cashing in.
Randy Ibey, owner of Randy’s Toy Shop in Noblesville, is legendary among antique toy collectors and dealers worldwide. Ibey
can fix more kinds of toys than an elf in Santa's workshop–from a German tin soldier created in the 1850s to a remote-control
Pluto made a century later.
Over the last seven years, Starbucks has inundated virtually every corner of the Hoosier landscape. And the company has no
plans to slow down. Several Indiana towns–from Gas City to Angola, Batesville to Bluffton–will get their first Starbucks
in 2007.
When Jim Carpenter opened the first Wild Birds Unlimited in Indianapolis 25 years ago, his goal was to bring people and nature together–a combination that has brought him "unimaginable" success.
