Benefactors Donate Building to Teachers’ Store

Three Former Muncie Siblings Want to Help Teachers 

MUNCIE, IN - The three children of Rolland E. Stephens, developer of the former Muncie Meadows shopping center in the 1950’s, have donated a building to the Back to School Teachers’ Store.  The 9000 square feet building, most recently housing Bio Life, at 1318 South Madison Street, will soon be filled with classroom supplies, reading books, and teacher aids to be given free to county teachers. 

   Dream Come True

   The teachers’ store, now located at 1803 W. Purdue off North Wheeling in the former Ross Pharmacy building, owned by Marsh Supermarkets, will move this summer to its newly donated building. Volunteer director Jackie Johnston said, “It’s a dream come true.  We always knew we were in a temporary location, but we appreciated Marsh lending it to us rent and utility free. But owning  our own building will allow us to set roots and grow as an important charity in Muncie. The South Madison location  puts us closer to the center of town, nearest the teachers who need us the most.” 

   Like Father, Like Children

   The donors are Beverly J. Stephens-Hubbell, Rolland R. Stephens, and Mark B. Stephens, all of California, but children of the late Rolland E. Stephens, a local grocer and shopping center developer.  “Our father always made an effort to help hard-working families with small children by donating food from his grocery store.  This is why we know he would be happy with the donation of this building to Back to School Teachers’ Store,” said  Rolland Stephens, speaking for his sister and brother. All three siblings were born in Muncie, attended Royerton schools, and graduated from Indiana University. “Even though tough economic times caused our father to leave high school during the ninth grade, he encouraged each of his children to go through college,” said Stephens. Both Rolland and Mark are commercial real estate appraisers in the Los Angeles area. Beverly is active in music, dance, and  theater.  They live within a few miles of each other. 

            Location History

   The store location on Madison Street originally housed a high-producing Haag Drug Store in the early 1950s. The property was then occupied as a blood plasma collection center run by Cutter Laboratories, then Bayer Inc. and finally Bio Life, which has since opened a new location in northwest Muncie. Local commercial realtor Monte Brown and attorney Mark Ervin of Beasley & Gilkinson LLP introduced the idea of the teachers store to the Stephens family  and made possible the donation.   

   Current Store Still Open

   Soon teachers from Muncie and Delaware County’s south side  will have a shorter distance to travel to find free reading, writing, art supplies, science equipment, and classroom decorations. The Back To School Teachers’ Store takes donations from businesses and the public of items useful to teachers for their classrooms.  The store is open for donations from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday at the current location at 1803 W. Purdue Avenue.  Cash donations and volunteers are needed for the upcoming move and on a regular basis during store shopping hours. Call 765-381-3625 for more information.