With Homecoming around the corner, Village businesses are preparing for the influx of Ball State University students, alumni and fans that will make up their crowds next weekend. In contrast, some downtown businesses said they are not expecting more business than usual.
CHARLIE'S LIBRARY
Kyrie Wolfe, general manager of Charlie's Library, said she expects to see thousands of students going through the doors of the new bar throughout Homecoming Week.
"[Homecoming] is amazing, the best time for businesses in the Village," she said. "It's a great place to be."
Woolf said she is also looking to start a new Ball State tradition called "Wake Up, Drink Up," or W.U.D.U., which would take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 3.
She said Purdue University has a "breakfast club" and Indiana University has "kegs and eggs," so she wanted Ball State to have a tradition.
MUGLEY'S
Chris Fitzgarrald of Mugley's Pub and Eatery said that the bar will be offering specials Wednesday through Friday.
Students can expect $5 mugs of mixed-well drinks on Wednesday, $3 mixed-well drinks on Thursday, and a $5 special of burgers, fries and beer on Friday.
Mugley's also wants to see lots of business throughout Homecoming Week, Fitzgarrald said. He said that they will be maximizing as many mugs as possible and creating a prime seating arrangement by bringing in more tables and chairs.
"We will be maxed out Wednesday through Friday, easily," Fitzgarrald said.
Mugley's is excited about Homecoming and will be working with the Madhatter, MoTini's and Charlie's Library to bring a diverse crowd to their businesses during Homecoming Week, he said.
THE LOCKER ROOM
Bartender Angie Busch said The Locker Room hopes to repeat last year's success.
"Our sales tripled last Homecoming," she said.
The Locker Room will be doing a breakfast club starting at 7 a.m. and the bar will remain open until 3:30 a.m., Busch said.
The bar will also be offering several specials, including $5.95 biscuits and gravy for its breakfast club event and, on Saturday, Cruzan cheesecake buckets and raspberry lemonade buckets for $9, she said.
BLUE BOTTLE
Tom Green, owner of the Blue Bottle, said it often seems that business during Homecoming Week is slower than usual, though sometimes the dinner service picks up a bit.
"When the weather's really good, it seems like people do picnics," he said. "It also depends on what time the game ends."
Green said because this year's game starts at noon, Saturday's dinner service may be busier.
Although the Blue Bottle didn't do anything different for Homecoming last year, Green said he is planning to book live music acts and offer menu specials for Friday and Saturday nights.
FICKLE PEACH
Chris Piche, co-owner of Fickle Peach Inc., said the Fickle Peach will show Ball State's Homecoming game on TV and offer its usual draft specials.
"We don't see as many students as we see locals," he said.
Piche said alumni are more likely to celebrate Homecoming in the Village because those are the bars they remember from when they were at Ball State. The Fickle Peach has only been open for four years, he said.
Andrea Zeek contributed to this story.
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