Read time: 3 min.

Although Ruler Foods began life as JayC’s discount brand, it’s become Kroger’s answer to ALDI after the grocery juggernaut acquired JayC in 2012. At least in Muncie, Ruler’s disguise doesn’t quite hold: the storefront still presents as an old Circuit City.

Muncie’s Morrison Crossing shopping center was built in 1998¹. On opening day the following year, its tenants were Circuit City, PetSmart, and Toys ”R” Us. 

Circuit City was one of seven closed by the national electronics retailer in 2007 as it struggled to find its footing against Best Buy². The building sat empty for six years before Ruler Foods moved in³.

PetSmart opened in 1999 after initially pulling out of the Morrison Crossing project⁴. Today, after twenty-six years, it’s the only original tenant left in the plaza. Is it “Pet Smart,” or “Pet’s Mart?” The world will never know.

Toys “R” Us was a revelation to this millennial when it opened! Unfortunately, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all of its remaining stores the following year. Ashley Furniture took over the vacant building in 2021⁵. Two-thirds of Morrison Crossing has changed since it opened, but it remains a busy part of Muncie’s retail landscape. Still- to think we almost got a Sam’s Club there⁶!

Sources Cited
1 Yencer, R. (1998, February 26). Board of works questions parts of annex plan. The Muncie Star Press. p. 7.
2 Roysdon, K. (2007, February 13). Muncie’s Circuit City among 7 in U.S. closed. The Muncie Star Press. p. 3.
3 Roysdon, K. (2013, September 27). CUSTOMERS CHECK OUT NEW GROCERY. The Muncie Star Press. p. A1.
4 Cheesman, M. (1998, May 16). Petsmart to be found in Muncie after store first thought lost to us. The Muncie Star Press. p. 12.
5 Stefanski, C. (2021, April 5). 2 vacant Muncie storefronts getting closer to re-opening as Old Navy, Ashley Furniture. The Muncie Star Press. Web. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
6 Penticuff, D. (1996, March 1). Sam’s Club officials still looking at Muncie. The Muncie Evening Press. p. 13.