An entrepreneur new to Muncie plans to give the Village a face-lift before Fall Semester.
Mark Myers, who opened The Collegian last week in the Warehouse's former location, said he plans to expand his business ventures by renting out the remaining business spaces in University Square, which is home to BoRic's Family Haircare Center, Sen. Barack Obama's Muncie campaign office and the former El Camino's location. Myers said he also wants to open a business where TJ's once was.
"We're looking to get through summer when the kids come back," Myers said. "Structurally, there's not going to be too much to change right now."
Myers said he has been speaking with building owner Miles Ogea about obtaining leases for the other business locations.
Staff at BoRic's and Obama's office said Tuesday they were unaware of locations changing management.
Ogea could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
Once the bar expands in size, Myers said, he will also purchase additional pool tables.
Myers said business during the first weekend for The Collegian went well. The bar has been distributing flyers throughout the area, and it will feature disc jockeys from WCRD this weekend, he said.
The Collegian will double as a restaurant during days and a bar during nights, Myers said.
The bar and grill will serve food during day-time hours, Myers said, and after about 10 p.m., staff will move tables to clear room for a dance floor.
"It's going to get Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde up in here," he said.
Myers said he is not new to the bar business.
He said he owned a successful bar in Connersville, but he moved because he lost a lot of business after the town's Visteon Corp. factory closed in December. Myers said he decided to open a bar in a college town after leaving Connersville.
"I just wanted to open a place where you can get a sandwich and not break the bank," he said. "We want people to sit here with their girlfriend and get out of here without spending more than $20."
The bar is also going to market itself to staff from Ball Memorial Hospital in the future to draw in a lunch-time crowd, Myers said.
-- Joe Cermak Contributed to this report.
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