Consider this your local catch-up! There’s new faces, new places, and plenty of things to check out across Delaware County. Here are a few updates worth knowing about.
New Shops
201 W State St., Albany | Wed-Thu 10am-5pm | Fri 12pm-6pm | Sat 10am-2pm
Albany has a new spot to browse this fall. Willow Creek Boutique & Shop opened in September with a mix of women’s and girls’ clothing, home goods, and a little something sweet. The shelves are filled with hand-picked pieces like sweaters, jeans, and purses that make it easy to pull together your fall favorites. Enjoy shopping in person or online!
📸 Creds: Willow Creek Boutique & Shop
418 East McGalliard Rd., Muncie | Tues-Sat 11am-6pm | Sun 1pm-5pm
Rock Daddy made a big move earlier this year, now calling McGalliard Square home. Inside, you’ll find collections of gems, fossils, metals, and minerals, plus a few unexpected treasures. Founded by lifelong collector Brent Allred, Rock Daddy grew out of a family tradition of hunting for stones and shells. Today, it continues that love for natural beauty with pieces sourced from around the world and custom jewelry made to order.
📸 Creds: Rock Daddy
125 E Charles St. Suite 110, Muncie | Tue-Sat 11am-6pm
Music lovers have a place to dig for hidden gems in downtown Muncie. Record Parlor of Muncie, located in the historic Rose Court Building, sells new and used vinyl, CDs, and tapes, along with local art. Come flip through the bins and maybe rediscover an old favorite album!
📸 Creds: Record Parlor of Muncie
New Food & Drink
1712 W University Ave., Muncie | Mon-Sat 10:30am-8:30pm | Sun 12pm-6pm
A new kind of pick-me-up just arrived in The Village, just steps away from Ball State’s campus. Twisters Soda Bar lets you build your own drink. Start by picking any soda and top it off with syrups, purees, creams, candies, or even a little glitter. They’ve also got tea and coffee options, making it an easy stop for something sweet, fizzy, or caffeinated.
📸 Creds: Twisters Soda Bar
14501 West Commerce Rd., Daleville | Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Crossroads Butcher & Market recently opened in Daleville, offering a local source for fresh Indiana beef and pork. The shop also serves made-to-order deli sandwiches and carries a variety of specialty foods and products from around the state.
📸 Creds: Crossroads Butcher & Market
1529 W University Ave., Muncie | Wed-Mon 11am-2:30pm & 4pm-9:30pm
A taste of India has arrived in The Village. Bayleaf Indian Restaurant offers authentic dishes made with fresh ingredients and heartfelt care. Order classic biryanis, naan, flavorful vegetarian options, and more. The restaurant serves dine-in guests and also offers to-go and catering services.
📸 Creds: Bayleaf Indian Restaurant
New Place to Stay
4400 W Bethel Ave., Muncie
Travelers coming to Muncie have a new home base. Home2 Suites by Hilton opened in September, offering spacious suites and modern amenities designed for comfort and convenience. Located near Ball State University and Yorktown Sports Park, it’s a great option for families in town for games, campus visits, or weekends away. The hotel also features pet-friendly rooms, EV charging, and an extended patio complete with a gas fire pit.
📸 Creds: Home2 Suites by Hilton Muncie
New Attractions
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Minnetrista recently celebrated the arrival of the Freedom Bus with a ribbon-cutting alongside the Martin Luther King Dream Team. This former Muncie Transit System bus has been transformed into a mobile civil rights museum, sharing the powerful stories of local individuals who stood up for equality and highlighting East Central Indiana’s role in the movement.
Visitors can experience the Freedom Bus by request during regular museum hours, just check in at Minnetrista’s Center Building.
📸 Creds: Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Bob Ross Experience – Nestled Cabins
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens in Bob Ross Gallery | Wed-Sat 9am-5pm | Sun 12pm-5pm
The Bob Ross Experience at Minnetrista is getting a refresh this fall. Beginning October 25, the gallery’s new exhibit, Nestled Cabins, highlights a collection of Bob Ross’s beloved cabin paintings — offering the few glimpses of human life that appear in his work. The exhibit is included with general admission, making it an easy addition to your next visit.
Art in Downtown Muncie
Downtown Muncie just got a little more colorful. Muncie Downtown Development Partnership has collaborated with local artisan Aaron Nicholson to design and cast two custom metal manhole covers, turning everyday sidewalks into miniature works of art for anyone walking by. Find the covers along S Walnut St just steps away from Canan Commons and Destination: Muncie.
📸 Creds: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership
In addition, the Institute for Digital Intermedia Art (IDIA Lab) at Ball State University has brought augmented reality to the streets. Visitors can use their phones to transform locations like Dave’s Alley (available to view here) and intersections at Main/Walnut and Jackson/Mulberry into immersive, virtual art experiences. Just scan the QR codes on the street banners and see downtown in a whole new way.
📸 Creds: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership
If you’ve ever spotted one of Muncie’s colorful Garfield statues and wondered about the story behind them, now there’s a fun new way to explore them all. Destination: Muncie recently launched the Garfield Trail Passport, a free mobile experience that guides you to each of the four-foot-tall Garfield statues around town.
How it works:
- Sign up online to receive your mobile passport (no app download necessary!)
- Check in at each statue as you go to earn points
- Enter for a chance to win a Garfield prize pack
Learn more and start your adventure: https://destinationmuncie.org/garfield/
