It's Your Business

Sunday, November 15, 2009

It's Your Business: Po' Boys adds food, fun offerings

Po' Boys, 1901 S. High Cross Road, U, which officially opened in May, has been gradually adding items to its menu and revamping the southeast Urbana building that used to house The Brickhouse and TK Wendls.

Most recently, the restaurant began offering ribs and installed a "quick window" that let customers walk up and order barbecue if they don't want to stay and eat in, said Jean Rasner, who runs the restaurant with her father, Jim Rasner; her brother, Andy Rasner; and his wife, Lindsay Lamanna.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

It's Your Business: Urbana co-op to be 'hub of creativity'

A "retail-focused art cooperative" called Shared Space is planned for downtown Urbana.

Local jewelry maker Marlene Mahon, who sells her work at Urbana's Market at the Square, would like to open a place where artists can work and sell their creations, such as jewelry, ceramics, fabric art and photographs.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

It's Your Business: More than a taste of food news

All right, foodies. Today's column is devoted to businesses that cater to those of us who love to eat.

Got a hankering for a falafel sandwich? Holy land Mediterranean Grill, 705 N. Neil St., C, opened last week in what was previously known as Jack's Grill.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

It's Your Business: Popcorn shop is bursting in flavors

Kettle corn in the wintertime?

Somebody hide this column from my son.

Popped Bliss, a new popcorn shop that opened last week in Champaign, sells kettle corn, caramel popcorn and other treats. The owners, Ajza Anderson and her husband, Alven Allison, are the same folks behind Cool Bliss, the seasonal Hawaiian Ice cart that was set up on South Neil Street.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It's Your Business: Nutrition store is new mall tenant

One of the newest tenants planned for Market Place Mall in Champaign is a nutritional supplement store.

Complete Nutrition will sell weight-loss and sports medicine products and general health items such as vitamins.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

It's Your Business: Women's clothing store to open

This fall, downtown Urbana will welcome a new business.

And it's not a lawyer's office or yoga studio.

The Wooden Hanger will feature new women's clothing made with fabrics such as organic cotton and bamboo.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

It's Your Business: Studio Helix a new shape of gym

After several months of a "soft opening," the new Studio Helix has debuted in downtown Champaign.

A grand opening was held last weekend in the building that once stored drapes and before that housed a Sears store.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

It's Your Business: Wines at the Pines plans October opening

The most recent addition to The Pines shopping and dining complex at Windsor and Philo roads in southeast Urbana will be a wine and coffee bar.

Wines at the Pines, 2860 S. Philo Road, is planning an Oct. 23 opening. They'll brew Metropolis coffee, a brand from Chicago, and they'll sell wines by the bottle and the glass, as well as offering wine tastings.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

It's Your Business: Taxi/charter firm taking new route

Thomas Parker of Champaign has started a new taxi and charter business called Green Transport.

For those of you keeping track of your carbon footprint, he offers rides in-town and out-of-town in a flex-fuel-converted Chevrolet Astro Van. That means he can fill up the tank with E85, fuel that contains 85 percent ethanol.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

It's Your Business: Leisure Time sets sale for closing

After decades in the pet-supply and hobby business, Steve Gast has decided to close his Champaign store.

Leisure Time Pet and Hobby, 807 N. Mattis Ave., will hold a liquidation sale beginning 9 a.m. Wednesday. The store will be open today but closed Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the sale.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

It's Your Business: Divine Consign a time to buy, sell

Ladies, I don't know about you, but this is the time of year I tend to clean out my closets and drawers and pull out the sweater boxes from the attic.

Inevitably I donate much of the clothing that's been following me around for several years. That skirt I wore once. The jeans I wore pre-children. The shoes that didn't go with anything.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

It's Your Business: Thorntons plans station in Champaign

Thorntons is planning to open another gas station and convenience store in the Champaign-Urbana area.

A building permit was recently issued in Champaign for $750,000 of work at the site of the former Kirby Tire & Service Center at 101 S. Mattis Ave.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

It's Your Business: Firms in Tuscola, Monticello moving

For today's column, we will highlight a hodgepodge of business news from around East Central Illinois.

– Bee Active Toys, previously located at 204 W. Washington St. in Monticello, has reopened in the Tanger Outlet Center in Tuscola.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

It's Your Business: Sheep play role in composting venture

Becky Weber of Urbana has collaborated with Charles Bedinger, who raises grass-fed sheep outside Catlin, to form a new composting venture, Ewe Poo Compost.

They're selling the compost in 20-pound bags at the Second Saturday sales in downturn Urbana and the Wednesday farmers' market in Danville. The bags sell for $4 apiece, or three bags for $10, Weber said.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

It's Your Business: BoBo's Barbecue open on South Neil

After running bars and restaurants in Champaign-Urbana for two decades, George Dries was ready for a change.

He still wanted to be in the food business, but he didn't want to manage a restaurant seven days a week anymore.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

It's Your Business: Bow Sheep has bevy of bows for kids

Attention, moms who like to gussy up their babies.

Three women from Champaign have started a company that sells handmade bows for children. Bow Sheep offers intricate bows, from standard pastel pinks to zebra-stripe designs, decorated with buttons, pearls and other embellishments.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

It's Your Business: An Sun to blend Chinese, U.S. cuisine

With several restaurants located there now, from Billy Barooz to Mezzaluna, the southwest Champaign shopping center Village at the Crossing is looking more and more like restaurant row.

The newcomer on the block is An Sun, a "half-Chinese, half-American" restaurant slated to open in mid-November in the northern portion of the Ace Hardware space, 2411 Village Green Place.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

It's Your Business: Bone Appetit to offer pet treats, clothing

If you're the kind of pet owner who likes to treat your pooch by buying him a baked treat or dressing her in an Illini jersey, you'll want to visit a new pet boutique and bakery.

Bone Appetit Pet Boutique and Bakery in the Round Barn Centre in Champaign will open Aug. 1.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

It's Your Business: East Coast pizza to star at Vinny's

When you think of New York-style pizza, what do you think of?

Big, round, cheesy pies with bubbles at the edge of a crispy, lightly charred crust? Slices large enough to fold in half and eat while walking down the sidewalk?

Sunday, July 5, 2009

It's Your Business: Bar planned in ex-Lox, Stock and Bagel

Finally.

After more than a decade vacant, the former Lox, Stock and Bagel space in downtown Champaign will be remodeled, and a new business is expected to open there by the end of the year.

Two native Watseka brothers are planning to open a bar, called Quality Beer, in the space.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

It's Your Business: Market Place's J. Jill to close in July

J. Jill, the women's clothing store in Champaign's Market Place Mall, will close next month.

Merchandise is now 50 to 70 percent off, and all fixtures are for sale, said store manager Laurie Widner. She said the closing will happen around July 12 to July 15.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

It's Your Business: Remodeling to help market ex-Rhodes site

After noticing some construction activity at the former Rhodes Furniture store in Champaign, a reader e-mailed The News-Gazette wondering if we might find out what's happening there.

Here's the scoop.

We called building owner Tim Harrington, and he reports that he and other investors are remodeling the building at 912 W. Anthony Drive to help market it to potential tenants or buyers.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

It's Your Business: Ex-Smokey Bones site to be Old Chicago

The Smokey Bones restaurant building at Market Place Mall – vacant since May 2007 – is getting a new occupant.

Old Chicago, a restaurant featuring pizza, pasta and beer, plans to open in the space at 1910 N. Neil St., C, on Sept. 14, according to Tom Connelly, who already operates an Old Chicago in Merrillville, Ind., with Mike Ruben.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

It's Your Business: Arthur gallery to showcase area art

Looking for local art to display in your home or office?

You've got one more place to visit. A new gallery in downtown Arthur, Villa Galleries, 132 S. Vine St., will feature paintings, photographs and other work by artists who hail from central Illinois or artists whose work is about central Illinois.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

It's Your Business: C-Plus a place to upgrade wardrobes

Frustrated with the difficulty of finding trendy, plus-size women's clothing in the Champaign area, Carrie Freeze decided to open a store of her own.

C-Plus, Etc., at 71 Chester St., C, will sell new and nearly new clothing in sizes 12 through 30.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

It's Your Business: Frogs & Fairies jumping into kids' clothing market

Frogs & Fairies, a "new and nearly new" children's clothing store, is expected to open this September in Urbana.

The shop will sell infant through children's size 12 clothing, plus maternity clothes, in a storefront within The Pines shopping center at the southeast corner of Windsor and Philo roads.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

It's Your Business: Ethnic grocery to open in Campustown

A new ethnic grocery store is slated to open soon in Champaign's Campustown.

Mirch Masala ("mirch" means chili, and "masala" is a mix of spices), at 49-A E. Green St., C, will feature fresh and frozen foods from the Indian subcontinent.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

It's Your Business: Clybourne reopens after remake

Campus bar The Clybourne, 706 S. Sixth St., C, opened last week after a remodeling and reinvention of the space.

The front of the building now holds a coffee bar called the Toasted Bean. In addition to espresso drinks, the shop will feature breakfast sandwiches and goodies like butter horns, said owner Scott Cochrane.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

It's Your Business: This Is It Furniture celebrates move to megastore

Love them or hate them, you've got to admit the "Downer! Downer! Downer!" commercials are memorable, said Big Mike, a.k.a. Mike Namoff, the excitable owner of This Is It Furniture in Champaign.

You can expect to start seeing a lot more of the commercials featuring Namoff and his children this week as Namoff celebrates the opening of his new, larger store in Champaign.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

It's Your Business: Yogurt shop among signs of spring

It's beginning to look a lot like spring around here.

A new frozen-yogurt shop has opened in Campustown. Kickapoo Landing in Vermilion County has opened for the season, and Urbana's Market at the Square will soon begin.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

It's Your Business: Mexican restaurant plans May opening

Brothers Rafael and David Fuentes have purchased the former Real Hacienda restaurant at 912 W. Bloomington Road, C, and plan to open a new restaurant there in May.

The brothers, both of whom hail from Guadalajara, Mexico, have named the restaurant Guadalajara, and it will feature Mexican food.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

It's Your Business: Yoga shop opening with art show

In conjunction with the Boneyard Arts Festival this coming weekend, the new Amara Yoga & Arts will debut with an art show in its new space on the east of Lincoln Square Village in Urbana.

Amara aims to showcase work by local artists, offer art workshops and art therapy for kids and adults. Yoga classes also will be offered. Yoga begins in May. The owners plan to have a variety of different yoga classes available, including classes for children, plus Pilates and meditation courses.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

It's Your Business: T. Kelly Jewelers planning to close

Longtime jeweler Tim Twedt is closing his Champaign store, T. Kelly Jewelers, later this spring or early summer.

The closing comes a few months after one of the most profitable years he's had, but due to health reasons, Twedt, 60, said he needed to close the store.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

It's Your Business: Delbert's also catering to women

Finding tailored business clothing for women is about to get a little easier.

Delbert's in downtown Arthur, which has focused on selling custom clothing for men for decades, has branched out and is now offering custom clothing for women.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

It's Your Business: Wienerschnitzel seeks franchisee

If your dream is to run a hot dog joint, here's your chance.

The Galardi Group, which runs the California-based hot-dog chain Wienerschnitzel, is looking for a local franchisee for the restaurant in west Champaign.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

It's Your Business: Outdoor gear shop moving a bit north

Steve Smith always figured the retail spaces on Champaign's North Prospect Avenue were just too pricey for his family-owned store.

But the recession had a silver lining in it for him: A vacant space became available at an affordable leasing rate – and right between two big chain retailers, Lowes and Target.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

It's Your Business: Project on raw vegan dishes expanding

It's been eight years since Patrick Tanner stopped cooking and started eating all his foods raw.

But he'd like to see other people get the health benefits of eating more whole, unprocessed or minimally processed foods by expanding his sideline – Patrick's Fresh Raw Vegan Creations – beyond Champaign-Urbana.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

It's Your Business: Champaign florist closing after 10 years

The recession has done in another local business, Upsie Daisy Florist.

The floral shop at 307 S. Locust St., C, will close after a decade in business at the end of the day Friday, said owner Deb Hummel.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

It's Your Business: Cactus Grill back with its Southwest fare

Here's your chance to sample what's cooking at the new Cactus Grill, 1405 S. Neil St., C.

The owners, Rick and Linda Lau, plan to serve free chicken burritos from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

It's Your Business: Flower shop/art gallery open in Urbana

A friend told Sarah Compratt she'd flourish in a flower shop of her own in downtown Urbana.

And voila! She had the name of her new shop at 110 S. Race St.: Fleurish.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

It's Your Business: Illini Photo Booth delivers fun keepsakes

Remember those goofy pictures you used to take with your best friend inside photo booths?

A new local venture, Illini Photo Booth, is bringing that concept to weddings, class reunions, school dances and other events to add more fun and send everybody home with picture souvenirs.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

It's Your Business: New version of Fat City is now open

Regan Phillips had a sentimental attachment to the former Fat City Saloon left over from her days of working there while she was a University of Illinois student.

She hated to see it close a year and a half ago – so much that she and a partner decided to lease the building at 505 S. Chestnut St., C, and reopen it last month under a slightly different name, Fat City Bar & Grill.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

It's Your Business: Champaign music school doubles space

The Champaign School of Music has moved to a new, larger location in Champaign.

The school was formerly at 1006 W. Anthony Drive, inside Samuel Music, and is now at 27 E. Marketview Drive, right next to The Music Shoppe and near the TJ Maxx store.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

It's Your Business: Ants in Pants closing; Lifelines moving

Ants in Their Pants, the children's play facility at Champaign's Country Fair Shopping Center, is closing for good. Today is its last day, according to Terri Mason, program director.

Also closing at Country Fair will be the gymnastics academy and rock climbing wall operated by the owner of Ants in Their Pants and Lifelines Health, Laura Kalman. The gymnastics team and pre-team will practice through the end of the month, Mason said.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

It's Your Business: Pages for All Ages offering used books

Pages for All Ages Bookstore in Savoy has started buying and selling used books along with the new ones.

The idea appealed to the store's employees, because they're all big readers who wind up with more books on their home shelves than they want to keep, said Robin Hayden, one of the managers.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It's Your Business: Champaign to get new sandwich shop

A new sandwich shop will open in downtown Champaign later this winter.

To be called Fatboys Philly Shack, it will be located at 202 S. Neil St., in the small building where Neil Street splits off to Walnut Street.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Barbecue, ale on tap at former Urbana bar

Like barbecue? If so, downtown Urbana may soon have a place for you.

Mike Cochran and Pedro Heller plan to open the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House in the former Tod & John's tavern space at 201 N. Broadway Ave.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

It's Your Business: Garcia's to return to Campustown in March

Garcia's Pizza-in-a-Pan, which closed its longtime and final Campustown store location last month, should have a new campus-area shop up and running in a few months.

Co-owner Ralph Senn says a new location (to be disclosed soon, he promises) has been lined up and will open in early March.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

It's Your Business: Economy among factors in closing of Kafe K

Natalie Peterson says she doesn't want to blame the economy.

But when supply prices are going up, the economy is in a slump and folks are being advised to save a few bucks by making their own coffee and packing their own lunches, there's going to be an impact on mom-and-pop businesses like Kafe K.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

It's Your Business: Retailers spread word that downtown Champaign still open

Hey holiday shoppers: The downtown Champaign retailers clustered on a section of North Neil Street that was closed after a Nov. 7 fire have a message for you.

WE'RE OPEN!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's Your Business: Chicken, fish to star at new restaurant

A new carryout restaurant called Big JJ Fish & Chicken will open in the former location of Seaboat at 1114 N. Market St., C.

The owner, Hisham "John" Rosoul, looks for it to open before the end of the month.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

It's Your Business: A new twist for Vrinios' holiday tradition

It's nearly candy-cane-making time for Pete Vrinios and his family, and they plan to carry on their 110-year-old tradition in downtown Champaign for the holiday season.

You can see Vrinios candy canes made step by step in the front windows of Jim Gould Restaurant at Neil and Main streets, starting the first weekend in December. Kids can even hook their own candy canes, Vrinios said.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

It's Your Business: New downtown store focuses on ecology

B. Lime, a new store in downtown Champaign focusing on earth-friendly living, is now open.

And, true to the theme of recycle/reuse, owners Wendi and Bart Lindsay chose to place their store in a newly redeveloped building at 12 E. Washington St., at the corner of Hickory and Washington streets.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

It's Your Business: Urbana farmers' market gets ready to heat up

The farmers' market at Urbana's Lincoln Square Village will move indoors for the holiday season, starting Nov. 15.

And it will have more merchants than last year's holiday market, according to Susan Toalson, Urbana Business Association executive director.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

It's Your Business: Danville kids' shop reopens temporarily

Remember Kid Konnection, the children's clothing store in Danville that closed a couple of years ago?

Owner Nanci Latinovich has reopened it, temporarily, to sell out her inventory while she also tries to sell the store buildings – two gray houses.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

It's Your Business: Christian shop open; coffee bar in plans

Gina Myrick first started a Christian bookstore at her church, and now she's in business at a retail store of her own called Gathering Place Christian Bookstore at 308 N. First St., C.

Myrick said she is selling Christian books, gift items and greeting cards and also plans to have a small coffee bar.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

It's Your Business: Antiques store is open in St. Joseph

A new antiques store has opened in St. Joseph, just off Interstate 74.

Precious Antiques & More at 810 N. Third St. has a gift shop up front with candles, food and bath and body products for the season. The rest of the 2,500-square-foot space contains antiques from several periods, said owner Vicki Collins of Urbana.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

It's Your Business: A sweeter strategy for Fithian restaurant

When Tom and Sue Panepinto bought a restaurant in Fithian, they decided it would be out with the alcohol and in with the sweets.

The couple recently bought what used to be the Fithian Main Street Restaurant and Bar at 109 N. Main St., and changed the name to Fithian Main Street Restaurant.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

It's Your Business: El Toro Bravo offers Mexican dining for 374

El Toro Bravo, the new and larger restaurant built by the owners of El Toro restaurants, is open for business at 2561 W. Springfield Ave., C, near Kaufman Lake.

It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, and eventually the bar will be open later, said Victor Fuentes, an owner of the family owned group of Mexican restaurants.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

It's Your Business: Flying Monkey swoops in for season

Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch at 3902 S. Duncan Road, C, has opened its indoor restaurant, the Flying Monkey Cafe, for the fall season.

Debbie Graham, a part-owner who runs the cafe, said there's a new addition to the menu this year: Culver's frozen custard, to scoop up with the homemade pies and cobblers.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

It's Your Business: Estate Sale ready to open new location

The Estate Sale, a home furnishings and antiques shop that opened in downtown Champaign last year, is nearly ready to open at its new location at the former Champaign-Urbana Public Health District headquarters.

The building at 710 N. Neil St. has been under extensive remodeling since store owner Bob Grossman bought it last spring, and the store is set to open there Sept. 27, according to manager Cib Johnson.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

It's Your Business: This Is It banks on megastore appeal

This Is It Furniture is going LARGER LARGER LARGER.

In fact, pretty soon owner Mike Namoff won't even be calling it a store anymore.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

It's Your Business: The Cage all set to play ball

A new indoor baseball and softball training center called The Cage plans to open Oct. 6 in Champaign.

Located at 2815 Hundman Drive, it will offer batting cages, dirt pitcher mounds and open spaces for drills, owner Shawn Tabeling said.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

It's Your Business: 2nd Bombay Indian Grill plans fine dining

Bombay Indian Grill, a restaurant that serves northern Indian food in a casual Campustown setting, will open a second restaurant catering to customers interested in a fine-dining experience.

The owner, Kishan Sharma, has leased the former Basmati Indian Cuisine restaurant at 302 S. First St., C, and plans to open another Bombay Indian Grill there about the second week of September, he said.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

It's Your Business: Fat Sandwich plans Champaign shop

When Cole Lewko and Adam Pearlman say they sell a "fat sandwich," they're not exaggerating.

They stuff 8-inch rolls with a smorgasbord of foods, lots of them fried. Things like cheese sticks, chicken fingers, pizza bites, cheesesteak, eggs, onion rings and burgers. Even the French fries go inside the buns.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

It's Your Business: Discount Gas plans to expand, remodel

Discount Gas, 102 S. Mattis Ave., C, is planning to start a remodeling project toward the end of this month.

The Chicago-based owner, Salim Patel, said his plans include removing the old repair service bays and expanding the convenience store. A new liquor license courtesy of the city will allow him to begin package sales.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Furniture Lounge to open second store in downtown Urbana

Furniture Lounge, the retro furniture store in downtown Champaign, will add a second store in downtown Urbana next month.

The Urbana store will be at 126 W. Main St., with owners Scott Schaub and Amanda McWilliams shooting for an Aug. 15 opening.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

It's Your Business: Computer businesses offering systems, services

If the cost of a new computer system sends you into sticker shock, Allison Payne may be able to find what you're looking for in an older model and save you money in the bargain.

"Basically I think every computer is at least as useful as it was the day you bought it. People shouldn't have to pay a lot of money to get a computer that works just fine," she said.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

It's your business: Owner looks at options for the Art

David Kraft figures it's going to take some time to find the right person to take over his historic downtown Champaign movie theater.

So he's starting his search early.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

It's your business: New owners of pie shop cooking up additions

There are more than 40 kinds of pie made at Pies by Inge in Monticello.

But the new owners, Jennifer Johns and her mother, Redda Lively, can think of a few more kinds they'd like to add to the menu, starting with buttermilk and raisin cream pie.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

It's your buiness: T.J. Maxx remodeling to deliver improvements

Expect to see changes at the T.J. Maxx store in Champaign, if you haven't been there in a while. A full remodeling job has been under way at the store at 21 E. Marketview Drive, and was nearly done as of late last week, the company said.

Some of the changes: A new checkout area designed to be faster, new dressing rooms and an expanded home department to add more furniture, according to Thea Houghton, a spokeswoman for the Framingham, Mass.-based chain.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

It's your business: B&B plans Sweet Dreams in Pesotum

When Cheryl and Fred Smitley retired and decided to return to Fred's native central Illinois, they also took on a second career as innkeepers.

The Smitleys are now the proprietors of Sweet Dreams Bed & Breakfast, which opened recently in a restored 1902 Queen Anne-style home at 300 E. Adams St., Pesotum.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

It's your business: Nine-hole Legends golf course now open

The Legends of Champaign, a new nine-hole executive golf course at 4551 Nicklaus Drive, C, is now open.

Located near the intersection of Staley and Curtis roads, it has seven par-3s and two par-4s and three tees catering to kids, average golfers and those looking for more of a challenge.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

It's your business: Gregory Place East done ahead of schedule

Another big new apartment/retail development in the University of Illinois campus area, Gregory Place East, is finished two months ahead of schedule.

"We started moving some residential tenants in on May 10," said Jill Guth, director of development for JSM Development.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

It's your business: Board Boutique is ready to roll

If you skateboard, or have kids who do, the Board Boutique might be your kind of store.

A new skateboard shop at 702 S. Neil St., C, it sells colorful skateboards from about 40 companies, plus urban streetwear (clothes for the young and hip) and shoes.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

It's your business: Shop for babies, moms-to-be opens soon

Bella Bambini, a new store featuring baby and maternity clothes and gift items, will open this week at 2213 S. Neil St., C, in the Shoppes of Knollwood.

The store is taking over the space recently vacated by Rubens Chocolates.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

It's your business: Pia's site to house Mexican restaurant

The former Pia's Sports Bar property on U.S. 136 East in Rantoul will be put to use as a Mexican restaurant.

Victor Fuentes, one of the owners of El Toro and El Torero restaurants in Champaign-Urbana and St. Joseph, said he plans to open a new El Toro at the former Pia's by the end of June.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

It's your business: Apparel store to target teens, 20s

A national apparel chain catering to teenage girls and women in their 20s is coming to Champaign's Market Place Mall.

California-based Charlotte Russe is building a store in two recently vacated mall spaces that were combined to provide enough room for the new tenant, according to Dennis Robertson, the mall's general manager. The store will open in the Bergner's wing, he said.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

It's your business: Mommy Mixer helps moms, sitters connect

Ask any hard-working mom, and she'll tell you finding just the right baby sitter is a challenge.

Texas-based Mommy Mixer aims to make it easier for moms and college-age baby sitters to find each other at a series of networking events, and it's coming to Champaign-Urbana.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

It's your business: Warming up to more signs of the season

A sign of summer inching closer: more garden center and ice cream news.

Just opened in Paxton is the new Ivy Garden Center & Landscaping at 632 S. Market St.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

It's your business: Mexican restaurant headed to Champaign

Taco Loco, a fast-food Mexican restaurant in Mahomet, is expanding to Champaign.

Owner Sandro Cuellar said the new restaurant will open in June at 523 Town Center Blvd., next to the Regency Beauty Institute.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

It's your business: Personnel service changing hands

After 15 years of operating the Express Personnel Services office in Champaign, Del and Elaine Angelo are turning over the reins to a former employee and retiring in Florida.

The Angelos have sold their franchised agency to Lynn and Richard Yoerk, who will be taking over at the end of March.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

It's your business: New boutique on its way to Old Farm Shops

A women's clothing store called Findings Boutique will open at Old Farm Shops, at the corner of Kirby and Mattis avenues in Champaign, next month.

The owner, Ali Simpson, is a 2004 University of Illinois graduate in consumer and textile marketing who formerly worked for Bella Mia Boutique in Champaign.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

It's your business: Ham shop franchise has its eye on C-U

The HoneyBaked Ham Co. wants to open a shop with a cafe in Champaign-Urbana.

The Atlanta-based chain known for its spiral-sliced, smoked hams with a sweet/crunchy glaze already has some company-owned shops in and around Chicago.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It's your business: Baker cooks up world of treats

Rick Lau grew up in the bakery business and is returning to his roots with a new international bakery at 1405 S. Neil St., C, called La Panaderia.

Named for the Spanish word for bakery, La Panaderia specializes in sweet rolls, breads, cakes, pastries such as eclairs and cream puffs, apple turnovers and cookies.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

It's your business: Mahomet facility welcomes seniors

A new assisted-living community will open in Mahomet next month.

And the 55-and-older adults it's catering to can move in with their pets.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

It's your business: 1-day sale to feature formal dresses

For any parent who wonders, "Why did we spend a fortune on a prom dress she wore only once?", Donna Pepper has planned her new sideline just for you.

Pepper, an owner of One Week Boutique – the business that holds giant consignment sales of children's clothing, toys and baby equipment – will launch a new consignment sale later this month called Dresses and Dreams.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

It's your business: Little Gym has big plans for kid fitness

Do your kids need a little activity?

The Little Gym at the Savoy Plaza along U.S. 45 will be starting classes soon to get them moving.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

It's your business: Market Place to host oral health fair for kids

Here's something even grumpy shoppers (guys, toddlers, you know who you are) can smile about: Free dental exams for all kids who stop by an oral health fair at Market Place Mall next Saturday.

Dentists will be on hand to provide free exams and screenings in the Macy's court area of the mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 2.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

It's your business: Maurices moving from mall to plaza

Maurices, a moderate-price clothing store catering to teens and young women, plans to move from a space inside Market Place Mall to outside the mall at Market Place Plaza.

The store plans to open in its new 5,134-square-foot space between Fashion Bug and Gordmans in mid-March.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

It's your business: Subs out, gyros in at Neil Street shop

Silver Mine Subs has closed one of its two shops in Champaign, the one at 905 S. Neil St. But the space won't be vacant for long, because Niro's Gyros is moving in.

The new Niro's should be open in less than two weeks, owner Mike Naser said.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

It's your business: Dena's Hallmark moving to new spot

The Dena's Hallmark store at 27 E. Marketview Drive, C, will be closing soon for a move to another space at the same shopping center.

And when it reopens later this month, it will have a whole new look, says owner Dena Gaudio.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

It's your business: Chick-fil-A spreading its wings to campus

One of the nation's largest fast-food chains is coming to roost on the University of Illinois campus.

Chick-fil-A, which credits its founder with inventing the boneless breast of chicken sandwich many decades ago, plans to open a location at the Illini Union next month.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

It's your business: Shop has more than Two Loose Screws

A new store selling crafts and collectible items has opened in Monticello.

Located at 101 N. Market St., the store is called Two Loose Screws – a name one of the owners, Ruth Manint of Bement, said her husband humorously suggested after hearing she and co-owner Linda Morenz of Monticello were setting up shop.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

It's your business: A harvest of art at Farmers Market

Diane and Brian Farmer are putting their artistic sides to work in a brand new store they've opened in Rantoul called The Farmers Market.

The merchandise includes Diane Farmer's lotions, perfumes and massage oils which she also custom-blends for customers from more than 300 scents she has available.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

It's your business: Family restaurant opens in Mahomet

Donna and Alex Garduno, the owners of a family-style restaurant in Bement, have opened a second restaurant in Mahomet.

Their new place, Mahomet Square Family Restaurant, is at 804 Eastwood Center, where Esmeralda's Pancake House used to be.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

It's your business: Holiday stores open; apparel shop coming

A new store selling urban-style apparel will open at Market Place Mall next month.

To be called All Access Fashion, it will be a venture of Hassan Washington, a Champaign native who went to Centennial High School and formerly operated another apparel store on Bradley Avenue in Champaign.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

It's your business: Record Swap settling in at bigger site

Record Swap – a locally owned, independent record shop – has swapped locations and is now up and running in its new home in downtown Champaign.

The new store at 114 E. University Ave. (the former Ye Olde Furniture store) is larger than the old shop in downtown Urbana and also has an upstairs space for budget albums, said owner Bob Diener.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

It's your business: The Little Gym goes for big impact

The Little Gym, an Arizona-based chain that offers motor skills development programs for children, is coming to Savoy.

It will open at the Savoy Plaza off U.S. 45 in mid-February, according to the local franchisee, Giles Austin.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

It's your business: Hot Wok getting new look, operator

Hot Wok Express in Urbana has closed, but only temporarily.

The restaurant at 1102 W. University Ave. is undergoing some remodeling and should reopen by the end of November, said owner Greg D'Amico.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

It's your business: El Toro's 'charity table' aids causes

If you've dined at El Toro in Champaign in the past couple of months, you may have noticed the new "charity table" established by the Fuentes family that owns the restaurant.

The table benefits a different charity every week, because the Fuentes family donates every dollar customers spend on meals at that table to the featured charity.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

It's your business: Toppers Pizza back with new concept

Remember Toppers Pizza?

Toppers, which got its start in Champaign in 1991, plans to return to Champaign-Urbana with a new shop. But today's Toppers has a completely different concept from the original, the company says.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

It's your business: Scrapbook store gets new look, owners

D&P Scrapbooking will open Monday at 901-B S. Neil St. in Champaign.

If that address rings a scrapbook bell, it's because Scrap and Stamp Art used to be there. It was sold to Diane Pittman of Urbana and Pam Harrison of rural Thomasboro, who have remodeled and renamed the store.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

It's your business: Scrapbook business expands into shop

Is the scrapbook-making craze dying down anytime soon? Not the way Donna Gonzales sees it.

She's expanded her home-based business to open a retail store called Blessed 2 Scrapbook at Royal Plaza, 505 S. Neil St., C.