Editor's note: In honor of the university's centennial year, The Daily News is counting down 100 days to the university's celebration Sept. 6 with 100 of Ball State's most famous traditions and figures. Check back each day to read about Cardinal history.
The Village, located near the south end of Ball State’s campus, offers students dining and shopping without the necessity of a car.
Currently, The Village offers restaurants like Two Cats Café, Scotty’s Brewhouse and The Cup and stores such as Village Green Records, White Rabbit Used Books and Juniper. Additionally, there are housing options for those looking to move out of dorms but not too far off campus.
The Village didn’t always look or thrive the way it does now, though.
In 1989 Chris Karamesines, then-president of the University Village Merchant’s Association, made sure saw sidewalks and gas lights were added to ensure student safety at a $40,000 cost to the property owners.
Additionally, during that time The Village saw immense growth, which Karamesines projected to cost $3 to $4 million.
Those additions didn’t seem to help The Village much, though. A 1992 Daily News article featured an interview with economics professor Stanley Keil who said The Village was “failing” because the businesses at the time didn’t cater to the student clientele.
This image from the June 18, 1992, edition of The Daily News shows what The Village used to look like.
“In order for a Village restaurant to last, it must concentrate on a lunch crowd as opposed to a dinner crowd. Ball state students are not dinner clientele,” Keil said. “If a Village eatery does not acquire a beer/liquor license it will soon fail.”
He also stated that businesses needed to make enough money throughout the year to maintain rent throughout the summer, something he said most business weren’t doing.
In 1998, however, China Express moved into the The Village and was soon joined by a slew of others. Now, students can choose from locally owned and chain restaurants when dining off campus.
Read more centennial content here.
Contact Brynn Mechem with comments at bamechem@bsu.edu or on Twitter @BrynnMechem.
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