FORMER YMCA COURTS RETURN WITH A FRESH MISSION & HEART FOR COMMUNITY
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TOWNE
DROP THE NEEDLE
RECORD PARLOR OF MUNCIE SPINS NEW LIFE INTO DOWNTOWN MUSIC SCENE
Downtown Muncie has a new groove. Vinyl enthusiast Derrick McNelly has opened Record Parlor of Muncie inside the Historic Rose Court building.
McNelly says he has envisioned opening a downtown record store for 10 years. A longtime fan of Dan’s Downtown Records, McNelly felt a void when it closed in 2017. The grand opening of Record Parlor of Muncie was July 26 and featured an art gallery, live music and giveaways.
The store is filled with puns and hidden Easter eggs — even the shop’s name is an acronym: RPM.
McNelly’s wife, Sara, encouraged him to drop the needle on opening the shop.
She says McNelly holds a wealth of knowledge and passion for the music world that needed to be shared with the community.
“The vision was always that opening a
record store was rooted in supporting and promoting local,” McNelly says. “Providing a space that celebrates art and music is essential in a community.”
McNelly plans to host intimate, unplugged, NPR “Tiny Desk”-style shows, as well as full shows inside the Historic Rose Court building.
Cheryl Crowder, events director for Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, says the store’s vibe fits the Historic Rose Court, a hub with a variety of businesses including H. Hindman & Co. boutique salon, Illuminate Beauty Boutique and the offices of Red-Tail Land Conservancy.
“We are thrilled to have the new energy the Record Parlor brings to downtown,” Crowder says. “The vinyl scene has been a missing piece since the closure of Dan’s Downtown Records many years ago.”
McNelly has long supported Muncie’s local record shops. As a teen, he mowed the
lawn at the former Village Green Records in exchange for records.
Village Green Records owner Travis Harvey described McNelly as one of the kindest, most sincere customers the store ever had.
“[McNelly] cultivated an ever-expanding taste in music that I’m sure will set him up quite well as the keeper of the Record Parlor,” Harvey says. “With Locked Groove Records and now the Record Parlor, Muncie is so lucky to have two spots keeping the love of music collecting alive.”
VGR was a Muncie music staple for 17 years and relocated to Montgomery, Alabama, in 2022.
“The VGR has been making small steps toward a new reputation as Montgomery, Alabama’s premier record shop,” Harvey adds. “Continuing our live events, our community has been remarkably gracious and supportive.”
Writer / Heather Collins
Photographer / Ethan Snyder
Celeste Outen opened Locked Groove Records in the former VGR building at 519 N. Martin St. in 2022.
“Record store owners are kind of their own little community,” McNelly says. “It’s been really, really nice to be taken into that fold.”
Art and music enthusiast Hannah Stookey attended the Record Parlor of Muncie’s grand opening. She donated copies of indie and emo records by Sleater-Kinney, La Sera and Mae.
Stookey says the shop’s focus on local artists is what drew her in.
“They had paintings, prints and even wellpreserved insect shadowboxes. Just super cool,” Stookey says. “The staff is what will keep me coming back. [McNelly] was very kind and laid back… It’s great to have another reason to go downtown.”
The current art gallery features Ben’s
Betties by Benjamin Barrett—horrorthemed prints and paintings of pop culture icons including Barbie and the Creature from the Black Lagoon—and Artistic Oddities by Taylor Gonzalez.
Beyond a curated selection of albums, CDs and cassette tapes, the shop also sells plants grown by local plant business Hazy Tangerine and by McNelly’s wife.
Other products include a David Bowie coloring book, Prince mug, mini Troll Dolls, concert DVDs and music-themed books. The store also features handmade jewelry by Monarch Moon and exclusive Record Parlor of Muncie earrings designed by McNelly’s mom.
McNelly is a fan of 1960s psychedelic and 1970s garage rock, but keeps the shop stocked with sought-after limited releases — including boutique rap and hip-hop albums by Lil Ugly Mane, Tyler the Creator, and Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist.
Genres include jazz, funk, pop, rock, classical and new releases by Shannon & the Clams, Best Coast and The Murlocs. McNelly plans to partner with artists performing at Canan Commons to offer their albums in-store.
“Much like Wu-Tang, I think record stores are for the children,” McNelly says. He adds that the sonic experience of listening to an album from start to finish can increase attention span, create new neural pathways and provide a more engaging and stimulating music experience.
“Vinyl really is a different fidelity. You’ll hear things on a record that you won’t hear in a digital stream,” McNelly says. “It’s part of that magic.”
Record Parlor of Muncie is located at 125 E. Charles St., Suite 110, in the Historic Rose Court. For more information, follow Record Parlor of Muncie on Facebook and Instagram or call 765-228-2326.
SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Latched, in a way
Rob Roy, et al.
Whistle-blower 30. Ecol. watchdog
Anecdotal history
Assist the waiter
All hands on deck?
Fossey subject
Fee follower
Queens, for example
37. Retired, with “down”
39. For Pete’s ___!
40. Cookbook direction
41. Rich, as foods
44. Naval base?
47. Panache
49. Mad Hatter’s drink
50. Colorful mineral
51. Cheese off
52. Be fallible
53. Glimpse from afar
54. Broke a limit
55. Hibernation spot
DOWN
1. Marching-band burden
2. Difficult duty
3. Recorded (progress)
4. Fading memories
5. Like a good cake
6. Sort
7. Cuts canines
8. Doesn’t fall apart
9. Frequent, to Keats
10. A word with you?
11. When, for an eager beaver
19. Time line inclusion
21. Big galoot
24. Pervaded
25. Tool for a duel
26. Vampire’s curfew
27. Bacon buy
28. Get along
29. French way
32. Sotheby’s patrons
33. Popular pop
35. Bureau member
36. On notice
38. Loiter
39. Cartographer’s concern
42. Scarcely enough
43. Kitten’s plaything
44. Break new ground?
45. Boom periods
46. A place of luxury?
48. Some disrespect
1ST SERVE REVIVAL
FORMER YMCA COURTS RETURN WITH A FRESH MISSION & HEART FOR COMMUNITY
Writer / Lauren Byrd
Photographer / Ethan Snyder
This fall, Muncie welcomes back an old friend with a new name and renewed purpose. The former YMCA facility has been reimagined as 1st Serve Muncie Racquet Club, led by local tennis advocate and coach Jini Goff Morgan. With a focus on community access, youth growth and servant leadership, the new facility is more than a comeback — it’s a catalyst.
For Morgan, the story of 1st Serve began not with grand plans, but with a quiet
moment: a young mother peering through the tennis court windows at the YMCA, watching seasoned players volley back and forth.
“If they can do it, I can do it,” she remembers thinking. It took one invitation to step onto the court — and she was hooked.
What began as curiosity evolved into competition, then community. Morgan progressed from a recreational player to competing in Nationals, serving on a United States Tennis Association (USTA) board, coaching at Yorktown High School and Taylor University, and eventually working with a sports development company in Indianapolis. Yet, her heart never left Muncie — or her passion for making tennis
accessible to everyone.
Reclaiming the Court
The building that once hosted generations of players and friendships closed its doors to the public before the YMCA moved downtown into a brand-new facility. Owned by Ball State University, the building has continued to be used for its Division I tennis programs, but the community it served was left without a place to play. The new YMCA does not have tennis courts.
That changed on July 3, when Morgan officially took the keys to the building, signing a lease to launch 1st Serve — a new name, a new mission, but a familiar heartbeat.
With renovations underway, Morgan reopened the facility in mid-August with a soft launch focused on welcoming back familiar faces. A full grand opening is planned for October, offering a refreshed space for players and the broader community.
Building for Community, Not Just Competition
The facility is open seven days a week, with extended hours until 10 p.m. on select days, ensuring broad access for students, working adults and families. Membership will be offered through an affordable, tiered annual fee structure based on age and family size, along with hourly court usage fees.
The vision for 1st Serve is ambitious. In its initial phase, the plan includes eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts and a revitalized pro shop stocked through a partnership with the Indianapolis Racquet Club. A USTA grant is also in the works to fund lighting and ceiling upgrades, ensuring the facility isn’t just functional — it’s competitive.
But beyond infrastructure, the philosophy is rooted in accessibility and community.
“Tennis is a sport for life,” Morgan says. “Anyone can play, and anyone can come back to it.”
Morgan hopes to develop middle school programs, rehabilitate disused public courts and create coaching pipelines for Northside and Southside middle schools — areas historically underserved in tennis. By leveraging USTA partnerships, she’s securing equipment, training and support to build sustainable programming.
Behind the Name
The name 1st Serve holds a dual meaning: one drawn from tennis, the other from philosophy.
“It’s about service,” Morgan says. “How do we serve our members, our community and the next generation of athletes?” Morgan hopes the club becomes more
than a place to play — a hub for holistic development. Plans are in place to eventually incorporate strength training and nutrition programming for athletes of all ages.
She also envisions a coffee lounge in the front of the facility — “a space that invites conversation, where the community can gather, watch matches or just sit and share stories,” much like the church groups and community meetings once held there when it was the YMCA.
A Community Asset — Past, Present & Future
For Muncie local Neil Behrman, part of a tennis-enthusiast family, the reopening under 1st Serve management is more than welcome news — it’s a revival.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for both the regional tennis community and the broader Muncie community,” he says. Behrman points to the area’s rich tennis history, with schools like Delta, Yorktown and Mississinewa consistently producing state qualifiers and champions over the past two decades.
“The ability to practice year-round, without driving to Indy or paying Indy
prices, is a tremendous asset,” he adds. “This kind of access strengthens local programs and keeps tennis competitive in our region.”
Beyond the sports themselves, Behrman emphasized the facility’s broader economic and cultural potential. He noted that tournaments hosted at 1st Serve could attract hundreds of participants from across the Midwest, benefiting local hotels and restaurants and offering a valuable opportunity to showcase Muncie to families who may be considering Ball State University.
Neil’s father, Steve Behrman, is a wellknown tennis coach and former YMCA tennis director who helped build Muncie’s love of tennis before relocating out of state. For Neil, the project represents a meaningful continuation of that family tradition.
“For our family, 1st Serve presents the opportunity to continue the 40-plus-year history of sharing tennis with Muncie, Delaware County and the greater east central Indiana community,” he says. “The legacy of Steve Behrman is one of training champions, both on and off the court, through a commitment to generosity of spirit, kindness and ‘love.’ No pun
intended. Jini and 1st Serve are set to continue that spirit.”
A Vision Rooted in Legacy, Grown with Intention
Morgan’s focus is on cultivating community first while leaving room for future collaboration.
“There’s potential for great partnerships,” she says. “But right now, it’s about building something that Muncie needs.”
Part of that foundation includes honoring those who built the city’s tennis heritage. A Master Series is in the works to bring elite coaches back to Muncie to train players and future instructors. Morgan’s goal is to be known as a regional hub for quality tennis education and coach development.
Morgan is as energized as ever. She calls herself owner, manager, janitor — and occasionally, gardener.
“This is all I do now,” she laughs. “But I love it. I’ve never been more certain of my purpose.”
For more information, search “1st Serve Muncie” on Facebook.
WINE & WOW
VERA MAE’S EARNS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, ELEVATING MUNCIE’S DINING SCENE
Vera Mae’s Bistro wines and dines on an international level. The bistro has garnered global and local acclaim for their elegant dining experience, fine foods and spectacular wine offerings.
In July, Vera Mae’s Bistro won Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence for the second consecutive year. According to Wine Spectator, award winners are selected by their well-curated wine lists, featuring more than 100 selections, as well as providing patrons with a high-quality, diverse array of wines that compliment the restaurant’s cuisine and price range.
An international recognition, the prestigious award puts Muncie on the map along with winners from more than 80 countries and all 50 states. Vera Mae’s is the only restaurant in East Central Indiana, between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, to be honored with the award.
For more than 40 years, the awards program has been championing excellence in restaurant wine lists. According to Wine Spectator, the awards are designed to elevate wine selection and service around the world.
“We meticulously curate wines from across the globe in order to have a well-rounded selection among our nearly 180 different bottles in the cellar, ” says Dawn Brand Fluhler, Head of House Manager at Vera Mae’s. “To be selected for the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for a second year in a row is an enormous honor that we are excited to have received again.”
According to Wine Spectator, the award heralds restaurants that deliver sufficient choice to satisfy discerning wine lovers.
Vera Mae’s wine list features 180 different selections and more than 1,200 bottles stored in their on-site cellar. Wine offerings include
Walnut Block Collectables Sauvignon Blanc, a zesty wine from New Zealand, Seghesio Angela’s Table Zinfandel, a vibrant wine from Sonoma County, California and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, a unique, Italian rosé.
Vera Mae’s serves upscale fusion cuisine from the rich traditions of Europe, Asia and the New World.
“Vera Mae’s is elevated dining,” Fluhler says. “That doesn’t mean you have to wear your fanciest clothes - jeans and a button down or a sundress are perfectly fitting. But you can definitely anticipate excellent service and delectable sips and eats. If you haven’t been here, and even if you have, we invite folks near and far to make Vera’s a dining tradition.”
Vera Mae’s Happy Hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“Vera Mae’s has a very polished, professional staff,” Fluhler adds. “We love to talk about what’s on the menu and what’s on your mind.”
Jazz guitarist Gary Andry performs live,
instrumental music on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Andry performs well-known songs from The Great American Songbook including “Satin Doll” and “The Girl From Ipanema” as well as contemporary songs including “Wish You Were Here” and “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Andry says guests enjoy the easylistening atmosphere, song familiarity and conversational sound level.
Andry has a Masters in Music and was a guitar instructor at Ball State University.
Vera Mae’s has future plans to have a featured jazz pianist. During the holidays, Vera Mae’s will present dinner theater.
Each month the bistro spotlights one artist from the Muncie Artists Guild.
Cheryl Crowder, events director of Muncie Downtown Development Partnership says the bistro was one of the first downtown business pioneers in the early 2000s.
The bistro side of the restaurant has been
completely renovated with new lighting, fresh paint, updated seating, refinished wood and a welcoming wine wall.
Unique menu offerings include swordfish, crawfish nachos and house-made bourbon pecan pie.
Fluhler says many of the menu items are inspired by the New Orleans French Quarter and noted that the crawfish nachos are a fan favorite.
Menu staples include salads, pastas and burgers.
Fluhler describes the monthly menu feature as a beautifully plated entree with a perfectly paired bottle of wine.
Signature cocktails include: Vinny’s Viper, a blend of coconut rum, peach and citrus juices, Flambé Bitters Old Fashioned and La Riviera, a house-infused cucumber tequila with summer coconut and lime.
“Our featured bartenders are really excellent mixologists,” Fluhler says.
Fluhler adds that cocktails are consistently perfectly balanced and delicious every time. She describes the Blood Orange Habanero Margarita as “a sippable spicy.”
The entire facility, Ballaird Hall and Wine Cellar can be reserved for events. The Wine Cellar, located below street level, can be reserved as a private dining space for events with under 25 guests. The elegant Wine Cellar offers a view of more than 150 carefully curated wine selections at Vera Mae’s.
The Residence, an apartment-style space located above the main dining area, can be reserved for small events with up to 25 guests. For overnight stays and small retreats, The Residence is equipped with four queen beds and two full baths.
Vera Mae’s is located at 209 S. Walnut St. For more information, visit veramaes.com or call 765-767-5544.
SEPTEMBER
Submit Your Events!
2
YAPPY HOUR: PRIORITIZING PLAY
5 - 6PM
CHRIS TAYLOR ART STUDIO, 405 SOUTH WALNUT STREET.
Reconnect with your inner child, talk about how you used to play as a kid, and discuss ways to prioritize play in your daily lives.
4
FIRST THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET!
5 - 8PM
ADAMS & WALNUT IN DOWNTOWN MUNCIE
First Thursdays! Join our local Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun community experience Every Month for First Thursdays in Downtown Muncie! All Outdoors!
6, 13, 20, 27
FARMERS MARKET AT MINNETRISTA: OUTDOOR MARKET
9AM - 12PM
MINNETRISTA MUSEUM & GARDENS, 1200 NORTH MINNETRISTA PARKWAY.
The Farmers Market is the perfect place to discover fresh produce, baked goods, plants, eggs, meats, and more! Connect with local vendors and experience what our community has to offer.
6 MUNCIE CARS & COFFEE
9AM - 12PM
CORNER OF WALNUT & CHARLES STREETS, OLD NATIONAL BANK PARKING LOT 116 W CHARLES ST.
Open to all years, makes and models. Come out, check out the vehicles and talk cars with other gear heads and car enthusiasts. Hosted by the Muncie Volkswagen Club.
MUNCIE THREE TRAILS MUSIC SERIES PRESENTS COLBY T. HELMS & THE VIRGINIA CREEPERS IN CONCERT 7PM
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, 2000 W UNIVERSITY AVE.
Country/bluegrass artist Colby T. Helms and the Virginia Creepers will be performing in a Free, All Ages concert as part of the Muncie Three Trails Music Series.
AFTER HOURS NETWORKING
4:30 - 6:30PM
ECOREHAB OF MUNCIE, INC., 723 S COUNCIL. Join us for an open-house-style After Hours Networking Event at Smith Street Studio in Yorktown!
13
BALL STATE FOOTBALL VS NEW HAMPSHIRE 2PM
SCHEUMANN STADIUM, TILLOTSON AVENUE.
HOG ROAST - BOY SCOUT TROOP
22
11AM - 6PM
DELAWARE COUNTY FAIR, 1210 N. WHEELING AVE.
Boy Scout Troop 22 will be dishing up heaping helpings of BBQ fixings at their 32nd annual Hog Roast fundraiser!
13-14
THE OLD WASHINGTON STREET FESTIVAL
EAST WASHINGTON STREET (715 E WASHINGTON STREET),
Ladies, gents, ragamuffins and rosycheeked rascals of all ages-step right up and lend me your ears, for the most glorious, galliva ntin’, and gaslightglowin’ event of the season is set to return!
18
BALL STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. CINCINNATI
11:30AM
JOHN E WORTHEN ARENA, BETHEL AVE. & MCKINNLEY AVE.
THIRD THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET AT MADJAX!
5 - 8PM
MADJAX MAKERFORCE, 515 E MAIN STREET.
Third Thursdays! Join our local Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun “night market” vibe every month for Third Thursdays at MadJax Maker Force! All indoors!
19
BALL STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. PURDUE
6PM
JOHN E WORTHEN ARENA, BETHEL AVE. & MCKINNLEY AVE.
20
BALL STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY
4PM
JOHN E WORTHEN ARENA, BETHEL AVE. & MCKINNLEY AVE.
MUNCIE THREE TRAILS MUSIC SERIES PRESENTS THE AFRO PERUVIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT
7PM
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, 2000 W UNIVERSITY AVE. Grammy nominees the Afro Peruvian jazz Orchestra will be performing in a Free, All Ages concert as part of the Muncie Three Trails Music Series
23
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
7:30PM
EMENS AUDITORIUM, 1800 W. RIVERSIDE AVE. A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is the magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters.
October 2
FIRST THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET!
5 - 8PM
ADAMS & WALNUT IN DOWNTOWN MUNCIE
FIRST THURSDAYS!
Join our local Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun community experience every month for First Thursdays in Downtown Muncie! All outdoors!
