New Burger King coming, plus more business news

MUNCIE, Ind. — A few months after Burger King closed on Tillotson Avenue, a new home of the Whopper is being built a little further west.

Several business developments, including Crew Carwash and Belle Tire, are underway locally, and new restaurants have opened.

When Burger King closed on Tillotson Avenue on July 16, the Kokomo-based owners of Muncie Burger King franchises wouldn't respond to questions from The Star Press about the fast food chain's future in the Muncie area, specifically about a rumored Nebo Road and Kilgore Avenue location in Yorktown.

But with work beginning at the corner, across from a longtime McDonald's location, Yorktown Building Commissioner Matt Ray confirmed to The Star Press on Tuesday that the site is being developed for a new Burger King. 

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Ray said he has not yet issued the building permit for the project since state approval is still to come.

In other local business news:

• Crew Carwash is under construction along McGalliard Road. Sally Grant, executive vice president of the Indianapolis-based company, said, "Our goal is to be open by the end of the year." Founded in 1948, Crew Carwash will open the company's 31st location in Muncie. "We're excited to be opening," Grant said. "We can't wait to get there in Muncie." The car wash is being built on a site formerly occupied by a liquor store and auto parts store.
• Construction continues on the Fresh Thyme supermarket along McGalliard Road not far from the Crew Carwash site. Company officials told The Star Press in August that the store should open in April or May.
• Belle Tire, based in Allen Park, Michigan, is building its first Muncie location off McGalliard Road near Marleon Drive and Best Buy. 
• Kroger told The Star Press in September that it expected renovations to the former Marsh Supermarkets store at Wheeling Avenue and McGalliard Road to be complete in December, with the Pay Less store opening to follow. Renovations of the Tillotson Avenue store will be complete in early 2018.
• The Red Apple Cafe opened in late September in the Oakwood Avenue building that was formerly home to Beef O'Brady's and Bambooda. 
• The Harmony Cafe opened in late summer in the 100 block of West Jackson Street. 

Keith Roysdon is the government watchdog reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5828 and kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com.