Retro Diner, featured on 'Restaurant Impossible,' closes, GG's Family Restaurant takes over

MUNCIE, Ind. — Now that many restaurants have opened for dine-in, Muncie residents have started to flock back to McGalliard Road and downtown to enjoy their favorite eateries.

However, as some open up, they might look a little different. A popular chain restaurant has a completely new look and a local diner has closed, but its head cook is looking to create something new.

Here are a couple changes to Muncie's restaurant scene:

Roadhouse opens new location

As the old Texas Roadhouse on McGalliard Road was being torn down on Tuesday afternoon, guests were already enjoying meals at the new location,

All part of a plan to rearrange the businesses at the northwest corner of McGalliard Road and Walnut Street, they didn’t have to go far, as it was right next door.

Back when the building was being constructed in January, Mark Horton, managing partner of the Muncie location, told The Star Press that the eatery had outgrown the building.

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“We’ve had a lot of years in this building,” Horton said. “The efficiency and the volume exceed the building itself, so we’re excited to put this new building in and update everything for our community, guests and employees as well.”

The new building resembles the look and layout of the Anderson location, and is slightly larger with more seating.

One of the newest features is a to-go room, which Megan Smith, part of Texas Roadhouse’s marketing team, said will be a big convenience for guests.

“They won’t have to try and come through all the guests on a Friday and Saturday night to come to the other side of the bar,” Smith said. “They’ll have their own entrance and to-go room.”

Currently, the new location is allowing both dine-in and carry-out.

Retro Diner closes its doors

After being featured on an episode of "Restaurant Impossible," things were going well for Retro Diner.

The reality series follows chef Robert Irvine as he helps struggling restaurants, giving them a $10,000 budget and two days to turn things around.

Melissa Buckler, who took-over the restaurant for her mother in 2019, said the restaurant was working on paying off its debt, which were around $145,000 in back-taxes. While Buckler said the State of Indiana wanted the money in full, she was making monthly payments, getting the debt down to $20,000.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and Retro Diner wasn't able to make the last payments, she said. The State decided to move forward with seizing property.

"It stinks to have to close something that you worked so hard to save," Buckler said. "At the same time, the relief to not have to deal with that anymore is immense."

While her mother wanted it to be a place where people could spend time with their family and get home-cooked food, it turned into much more than that, Buckler said. She and the Retro Diner staff appreciate the support from the community.

Despite Retro Diner closing its doors, the restaurant's head cook has purchased the former Byrd Landing Bar & Grill location at 2819 S. Walnut St. Most, if not all, previous employees will return to their positions.

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The new restaurant will be called GG's, standing for Games and Grubs. Many favorites from Retro Diner will appear on the menu, but there will be new items as well, Buckler said. Once coronavirus restrictions have lifted even more, the restaurant will also include an arcade.

There is no official opening date yet, but Buckler is hopeful the eatery will open in mid or late July.

GG's will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and on 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

"When one door shuts, another door opens," Buckler said.

Charlotte Stefanski is a reporter at the Star Press. Contact her at 765-283-5543, cstefanski@muncie.gannett.com or follow her on twitter @CharStefanski.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie's Retro Diner, featured on 'Restaurant Impossible,' closes