History of White River Landing

The owners of White River Landing are Mike and Marcia Thompson. Originally from Michigan, the Thompsons migrated to Muncie in November of 1993 to open a pizza place called Mancino's Grinders and Pizza which beat all records in the Mancino chain of restaurants for it's first five years.  Still running as smoothly as ever, Mancino's was sold in 2006 so Marcia and Mike could begin planning for retirement.  But long before they sold Mancino's, Mike had this other idea floating around in his head, and that was to own a restaurant that reminded him of Northern Michigan.  All he needed was the perfect spot.  As it turns out, that "spot" was located in downtown Muncie which, over the years, had become quite void of restaurants or retail stores.  Except for one clothing shop and a few jewelry stores, there were only law offices and a couple of banks doing business downtown.  However, Mike could see the possibilities of turning things around if only someone would take a chance. That line of thinking led the Thompson's to an old historic building owned by Bill and Phoebe Reid that was home to their jewelry shop, aptly named The Jewel Shop. At one end and next to an alley, there was one space available.  It needed a lot of work but was just what Mike and Marcia were looking for.  This is where Alley OOPS, a new sandwich shop concept born from a trip to France where the Thompsons ate panni wraps while strolling the streets of Paris, would be created.

Not knowing what kind of reception to expect, Mike and Marcia decided to start small.  In 1998, Alley OOPS, with soups, salads and grilled sandwiches called "Panni", was put to the test.  This little cafe was a hit right off the bat, and continued to thrive.  However, Mike still kept thinking about the northwoods thing, and when the Reids decided to close The Jewel Shop and sell the whole building, that was the ticket.  The Thompson's decided to take the plunge and began renovating the large old building at 117 W Charles St. in downtown Muncie.

The White River Landing opened for business on March 13, 2000 and was the only non-smoking restaurant and pub in Muncie at that time.  Much to the surprise of many nay sayers The Landing, as it is known to regular customers, has continued to surprise old as well as new patrons with it's ever-evolving and thought provoking decor.  True to its name, a visit to White River Landing is like stepping into another world, one that begs for nostalgic conversations and discoveries of fishing and hunting artifacts found in almost every nook and cranny.  When you ask Marcia are Mike where everything came from, they will tell you that most of the treasures were purchased at flea markets and "good" junk shops.  Pictures on the walls are ones of familiar faces (family) and others were bestowed upon them by their customers.  The Landing encourages its customers to bring in their own fish pictures.  In fact the owners, who both come from big families, love to see people bring their children in for lunch or dinner and don't mind answering questions about "the stuff" hanging on the walls.

One of the best kept secrets of The Landing, though, is the outdoor patio which takes over the length of the building and is; well, right out the back door.  This plant filled, vine covered wooden deck is partially shaded by the second story deck on the back of the building, and is the perfect place to guzzle a cold beer or sip a glass of wine at the end of a long work day.  Live music, private parties, and weekly specials on "the Bar-B" are just a few of the extras offered by The Landing crew. The umbrella clad tables seat up to five, and not to worry because there also are long wooden tables that seat eight people.  Evenings bring muted lighting and fresh, cool breezes for relief from hot summer days.

Finally it wouldn't be right not to mention the staff at The Landing, because without them the place would cease to operate.  Consisting mostly of college students, the employees are an eclectic bunch who make their work look easy, and give new meaning to the word "friendly."  You'll see what we mean when you debark for lunch or dinner.

Mike's dream has truly come to fruition, and he and Marcia are very happy with the results, as White River Landing Family Restaurant & Pub is not only a labor of love, but also an establishment any business owner would be proud of.