A former Marsh transformed into a library

Did you know the first Marsh opened in 1922 in North Salem, IN? | Photo by INDYtoday team

At the height of their reign in the early 1990s, Marsh Supermarkets staked claim to 30% of the Indianapolis market and employed more than 4,000 Hoosiers in Indy alone. The old one-stop-shopping spot had everything from groceries, to a pharmacy, to video rentals (remember when those were a thing?) and it also stocked regional faves like Roselyn Bakery goods.

Although the supermarkets dominated the state for years, the company went out of business in 2017, due to an increasing amount of competition from chains like Kroger and Meijer. Now, they’re either being re-purposed, demolished, or gathering dust across the Indy area.

Here are some of the ways central Indiana has moved on from the bygone business.

📚 A library

While its current location was being renovated, Carmel Clay Public Library booked it over to the former Marsh location at 2140 E. 116th St. Where you could once find milk and cheese, you were able to find the latest fiction and audiobooks lined the cooler section. The location now has plans to become Academy Sports + Outdoors.

🏘️ Apartments

In spring 2021, NEXUS Noblesville broke ground on a $52.8 million residential and office project on the grounds of a former Marsh Supermarket at State Road 32 and River Road. It officially opened last summer and currently has one- and two-bedroom pet-friendly apartments available for rent.

🏁 A motorsports headquarters

Just last week, it was announced that HMD Motorsports, which competes in the IndyCar series, would be racing over to the former Marsh in Brownsburg to move into its new headquarters. The 65,000-sqft building — vacant since 2017 — will be renovated with an expected move-in date this summer.

At this time, more than 50% of the vacant Marsh’s have been transformed to serve other purposes. In an interview with FOX59, executive director at Cushman & Wakefield Bill French said that he expects only two or three will remain vacant by the end of the year in the Indy area.

As far as we know, there still are no plans for the former Marsh in Greenwood (2904 S. State Road 135). We’re curious: what would you do with the space? Let us know below.

QUESTION

Give us your ideas for the former Marsh location in Greenwood.

LET'S GET CREATIVE

EVENTS

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Monday, Jan. 23

Queer + Trans Climbing Night | Monday, Jan. 23-Monday, June 12 | Times vary | North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave., Indianapolis | Pay what you can | Come meet up with other individuals from the queer and trans community to climb, hang out, and hold discussions every second and fourth Monday of the month.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Tuesday, Jan. 24-Wednesday, Feb. 8 | Times vary | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | $9-$214 | See if the Pacers can continue to defy season predictions.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Real Estate Trends 2023 | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 3:30-6:45 p.m. | Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis | $25-$105 | Explore best bets for investment and development with local and national industry leaders.

Friday, Jan. 27

Creative Mornings: Jingo M. de la Rosa | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis | Free | Listen to Jingo talk about his process and initiatives, such as the Indy chapter of Urban Sketchers.
Mid-Winter Triple Gong Immersion with Diane Hancock | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7:30-9 p.m. | CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health, 2442 Central Ave., Indianapolis | $35 | Bring a sleeping bag to this beginner-friendly class to unravel your energetic knots.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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Traffic

Lawrence hopes to address the high crash rate in the Pendleton Pike corridor. According to INDOT, angle crashes, which occur when a car hits the side of another car, account for 45% of all crashes in that area. Proposals include medians to curb left turns and a reconfigured intersection. 🚗 (WISH)

Real Estate

Several high dollar houses were sold in 2022, with all of them together totaling $35 million. Coming in as the most expensive home was the Linden House at $14.5 million, followed by a $9 million Carmel estate, and Indy’s $4.1 million Crows Nest. Learn about the other two. 🏡 (IndyStar)

Number

$280,000. That’s how much grant money the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to 15 nonprofit arts organizations across the state. This will be the first round of fiscal 2023 grants to give Hoosier communities an opportunity “to live more artful lives.” See the list. 🎨 (Inside Indiana Business)

Featured

Drum roll, please. According to IMDB, the most filmed location in Indiana is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Believe it or not, 12 movies have filmed there, including “Speedway” (1929) and “An American Romance” (1944). Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward even stopped by to film “Winning” (1969). 🎥 (FOX59)

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. Hurry — this offer ends tomorrow, Jan. 24. ✈️*

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GAME

Crossword: Businesses with Hoosier roots

We were surprised to learn that Marsh Supermarkets Inc. was established in North Salem — just west of Indianapolis. It got us thinking... what other major companies got their start here?

If you’re a proud Hoosier, take a crack at this puzzle and if you get stumped, there might be a few hints in our story about Indy’s top industries.

Across

3. The largest bulk popcorn producer in the world

Down

1. If you work remote, you probably use this company’s services — it owns Slack
2. It’s one of the biggest health benefits providers in the US
4. This company is almost 150 years old and is best known for making Prozac
5. This manufacturing company is based in Columbus

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: On Thursday, I asked readers to “Be the Broker” and let us know what business they’d like to see move Scotty’s Brewhouse old spot in the newly renamed One Virginia building, and Miles H. recommended Ale Emporium as a good fit. He reasoned that there are three locations near Indy but nothing close to downtown. Miles, we like the way you think. With arguably some of the best wings in the area, we wouldn’t hate to have another Ale Emporium location nearby.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Check out these new and coming-soon businesses.

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Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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