In 1966, Marsh Supermarkets caused a stir across the Midwest by venturing into the rapidly expanding convenience store market. By the time it was acquired by a private equity firm four decades later, Marsh owned 154 Village Pantries spanning across Indiana and Ohio! Some of the original locations have been repurposed, and I take a photo when I find one.

The second-ever Village Pantry stands at 2808 West Jackson Street, catty-corner from the old Marsh Supermarket #69. Designed by architect George Cox¹, the 2,500-square-foot store cost $42,000 to build, employed seven people, and stocked 3,000 items including a limited grocery line². 

Marsh’s second Village Pantry closed in 1980 after the company opened a new store with gas pumps at 3821 W. Jackson Street³. The became home to Huddleston’s fruit market and, later, Stars and Stripes video rental. Today, it’s home to a nail spa. 

Sources Cited
1 Marsh to Build in Southeast Muncie (1966, October 5). The Muncie Evening Press. p. 23.
2 Marsh Plans New Division (1966, September 19). The Muncie Evening Press. p. 14.
3 Parcel 12-06-35-329-001.000-018 (2024). Office of the Assessor. Delaware County [Muncie]. Web. Retrieved March 10, 2024.