Ben & Ari’s closes in Fishers after 18 years in business
The owners of the popular miniature golf course, arcade and party-hosting facility have sold the property along busy State Road 37 to a buyer who plans to open a used-car business.
Tourism & Hospitality
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City reaps $1.2M from Conrad hotel investment
Here’s a little-known fact: The city of Indianapolis has an ownership stake in two of downtown’s most luxurious hotels and has received nearly $1.2 million so far from one of the investments.
City gives up on stalled 21c hotel, will seek new proposals
City officials are scrapping plans to help finance construction of a long-awaited 21c hotel proposed as part of a $55 million redevelopment of Old City Hall and are putting the property back up for bid.
$15M renovation gives Marriott North first major refresh
The 315-room hotel, built in 1998 at Keystone at the Crossing, now boasts several amenities and improvements that give it a more modern feel.
Indiana University art museum prepares for lengthy renovation
The museum is expected to close to the public for the $30 million renovation May 14. The target for reopening is the fall semester of 2019.
King stepping down as leader of Indiana State Museum
Cathy Ferree, vice president and chief operating officer of Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, was unanimously elected by the museum’s board to succeed King.
Protest group plans to block work on VA’s Crown Hill project
A citizens group is planning a protest Monday morning to prevent construction crews from beginning work on a national cemetery project at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Longtime Lucas Oil Stadium director departing for speedway
Mike Fox, who spent 33 years as stadium director at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Hoosier Dome, will now oversee facility operations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
LOVE sculpture back on display at Indianapolis Museum of Art
The sculpture by Robert Indiana was removed from display for two months of critical conservation treatment.
Colts to hold training camp at Indy training center this year
After spending the past seven years at Anderson University, the team is electing to use its practice facility on the northwest side of Indianapolis for camp. The Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center does not contain seating for spectators, so the practices at the facility will be closed to the public.
Changes to boost NFL Combine’s local impact
Visit Indy projects the launch of the Combine’s first fan activity zone will increase the 30-year-old event’s economic impact 25 percent, to a total of some $10 million.
Hotel hiccup could cost agencies millions
Local hoteliers and hospitality officials are bracing for a soft 2018. And some in the industry are pointing to the fallout from a controversial 2015 law as the culprit responsible for an expected one-year downturn.
Locally based CEDIA sells massive electronics trade show
Visit Indy officials don’t expect the sale to affect the 2021 CEDIA show in Indianapolis and say they are hopeful it won’t have an impact on the city’s bid to host the event in 2024.
Fair Oaks Farms adds chicken, beef adventures
The multi-million dollar projects at the agritourism destination along Interstate 65 will be similar in scale to its dairy, pig and crop adventures, which pull in more than 600,000 visitors a year.
Group business has historic French Lick Resort on a roll
At a time when revenue from its work horse—a casino that opened in late 2006—remains unpredictable, French Lick Resort is rolling the dice on a new strategy: one built on pursuing group sales to increase bookings at the resort and build exposure that will bring guests back for leisure visits. It’s already paying dividends.
Historic downtown building to house new Tapestry hotel brand
Ratio Architects is designing the project for Hilton as part of a redevelopment of One Jackson Place, a 93-year-old former hotel near Union Station.
Fishers considers joining debate on Airbnb usage, regulations
City officials could create a committee to examine the impact of online lodging services. Carmel has come out against them, and state legislators are weighing a bill prohibiting cities from banning them.
Indianapolis visitor spending rises for 4th straight year
Visitors to Indianapolis continue to boost the region’s economy with new levels of spending, according to a study unveiled Tuesday at Visit Indy’s annual meeting at the Indiana Convention Center.
Hilton planning two hotels in Indy under new brand
Called Tapestry, the brand is designed to jump on the bandwagon for individualized and upscale hotels with distinctive local features.
Colts leaving Anderson for new training camp site, source says
The Colts first held camp at Anderson in 1984 and stayed there until leaving for Terre Haute in 1999. The team returned to Anderson in 2010 and has been there since.