The face of the Ball State Village changed this summer when Buffalo Wild Wings permanently closed for business.
When Myles Ogea, owner of the mt cup and MoTini's, heard BW-3's was closing its doors, he knew it would be bad for the Village.
So he did something about it.
Ogea leased the space and opened a new restaraunt he calls The Bird.
"I wasn't planning on buying the business," Ogea said, "but I didn't want to see the place close. That's why I'm here."
When it officially opens in September, The Bird will have a fun, Jimmy Buffet-style atmosphere complete with beach motif and a 5 by 7 foot aquarium, Ogea said.
"The menu will reflect the style of the place," Ogea said. "We'll have a new menu quite a bit different than what it was. We're going to get away from everything being fried - we'll have some healthier items."
The new menu takes effect on August 23, the first day of Ball State classes, and will include items like stuffed salmon, steak, Corona-battered fish, homemade potato chips, sandwiches, boneless chicken wings and eight new signature sauces, Ogea said.
"I'm very excited about the fall and looking forward to the new menu items," Ogea said. "I actually like our new wings much better."
Ogea said he plans to use local businesses to help supply finishing touches to The Bird's decor.
"I'm using local vendors for the pool tables and the interior," Ogea said. "I want to keep everything local."
While the theme of the restaraunt is different from BW-3's, Ogea said he still plans to deal directly with local sports and said even the name, "The Bird," comes from the names of sports teams in the area.
Ogea said he doesn't just want to attract Ball State students, but he wants to attract the local crowd that often frequents his other businesses, the mt cup and MoTini's.
"I want a casual, friendly, family atmosphere during the day," Ogea said, "and we'll have some fun at night."
The Bird will be Ogea's second new venture in the Village in a year. Last fall he opened MoTini's, a martini bar on the second floor of the mt cup.
He has been happy with the bar's success, but admits that it is not large enough to fit large crowds.
"I don't want 100 people up there," Ogea said.
Ogea has also been venturing into Muncie's downtown. He opened another mt cup there, but it closed and will be reopened soon as Bella Cafe, a European-style pizza parlor and cafe. Ogea promises pizzas that are different from what is found at other places around town.
The Bird is hiring new employees and will officially open in mid-September; hours will be 11 am to 3 am Monday through Saturday and 12 pm to 12 am Sundays, Ogea said.
Ogea said and he wants to be open to students and wants them to feel ownership in The Bird.
"I have nothing against it," Ogea said, "but this place is not going to be like Hooters."
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