The closing of two area businesses has left many curious about the future of other privately-owned restaurants including Dill Street Bar and Grill, 421 N. Dill St.
The Locker Room at University Avenue and Martin Street, and Benjamin's Restaurant at 2915 W. Bethel Ave. were closed within a month of each other, but the new owner of Dill Street said he plans to keep the bar open.
George Branam and Phill Wills, owners of the two closed establishments said the restaurants closed because they simply did not make money.
Branam said privately-owned businesses are difficult to operate in Muncie.
"Muncie is the home of franchises," Branam said. "We can always argue over if we advertised enough or was the food good enough," Branam said.
The Locker Room is currently for lease. Branam and Wills said they are unsure of future plans for that property or Benjamin's. Wills said both businesses had undergone alterations to menus and expenses before closing.
"It was a constant thing going on to try to make them (Locker Room and Benjamin's) work," Wills said. "The last thing we wanted to do was close a business."
Former Locker Room employee Danny Clemmons said there were hints that the restaurant and bar were about to close.
"The last week it was open, we were hearing rumors," Clemmons said. "We found out Dec. 15, three hours before our Christmas party that we weren't going to open back up."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
