The future home of Crumbl Cookies at 2005 S. Neil St. in Champaign on Wednesday.
Email business news to Jana Wiersema at jwiersema@news-gazette.com.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter here
Renovations began Tuesday for the new Crumbl Cookies in the former Smallcakes space at 2005 S. Neil St.
Managing partner Deb Platon, who owns the local franchise with her husband, Steven, said the plan is to finish construction by the end of July and would like to open before the University of Illinois begins its fall semester (Aug. 26). . , for those who scored at home).
“We’re doing a full buildout,” she said. “Crumbl has specific requirements, equipment, etc., so we will start from scratch and build the site according to Crumbl guidelines.”
Other than exterior signage, the work is largely interior, she said.
Platon and her husband have owned a Crumbl store in La Grange since September 2022.
She said when they were discussing where to open their next store, Champaign was her husband’s first choice.
In addition to having family in Savoy, Platon said they like the fact that Champaign is a big city with “a small town feel” and appreciate the support they have received from the community.
“We’re so excited, I can’t tell you,” she said. “This has been a year-long journey, but we are so excited to share cookies.”
Andy Wagner (left) and Luke Saathoff (right), co-owners of Andy’s Barbershop in Champaign. The business recently moved to 471 Devonshire Drive.
Packing your scissors
After nearly 20 years at 2036 S. Neil St., Andy’s Barbershop has moved to a new location not far from its original location.
On Tuesday, the Champaign barbershop opened in its new location at 471 Devonshire Drive in the Devonshire Commons shopping center on Fox Drive.
“We actually downsized,” said owner Andy Wagner. “We’ve lost a few barbers over the years and thought it would be a good time to move.”
One exception is Luke Saathoff, a longtime employee who recently became co-owner of the store.
“He and I have worked together for the last 15 years,” Saathoff said. “And when we decided to make the change, we thought it would be better, I think, to do it together. It’s more than likely, as time goes on, that he and I will be here for the long haul. Getting other barbers seems to be very difficult.”
The company’s new headquarters used to be a lawyer’s office, he said. Some of the changes they made in preparation for opening included removing carpet and taking down temporary walls to make the space one big room.
“It’s just a nice upgrade compared to what we had,” he said.
“The old store we would probably have to renovate as well,” Wagner said. “It’s been, what, 10 years since we’ve done anything with it. So that was another deciding factor.”
Walter Pierce shows off some of the more than 100 different types of soda that will be available at the 2022 Mahomet Soda Festival.
Excitement bubbling
The fourth annual Mahomet Soda Festival will be held from 10am to 5pm on June 8 in the village center, and organizers say this year’s event will feature more than 100 different sodas from across the country.
According to the Mahomet Chamber of Commerce, the event will “bring people together with great music, great food and a wide variety of crazy soda flavors.”
A card for 10 soda tastings costs $5, and a wristband for unlimited tastings costs $25. A family pack of two wristbands and two cards costs $50.
There will also be several vendors and activities for children. More information about the festival is available at visitmahomet.com.
An inside look at 114 E. University Ave. in Champaign, which will be renovated to serve as a cat cafe.
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty
The Scratching Post — a combination cat lounge and board game cafe coming to 114 E. University Ave. in downtown Champaign — is almost at the end of a very successful fundraising campaign.
So far, the coffee’s Kickstarter — which had an initial goal of $10,000 — has raised more than $20,000. As a reward for reaching the latest goal, all supporters can nominate one of the cafe’s cats.
“The construction of The Scratching Post alone will cost us over $100,000,” wrote owner Rebecca Minick. “We know. It’s crazy. We’re sharing this because we want you to know that even though we’ve already surpassed our initial funding goal, your additional contributions are still greatly appreciated and will still go toward building The Scratching Post. So, your generosity continuous payment will not be spent on pizza and cat toys.”
An inside look at 114 E. University Ave. in Champaign, which will be renovated to serve as a cat cafe.
The campaign ends Sunday afternoon.
Minick said he still expects the cafe to open in the fall and hopes to begin renovations on the building soon.
“The architects are still doing their work,” she said. “They hope to be completed in the next few weeks so construction can begin in June.”
Accelerated job opening
The Champaign County Economic Development Corp. is looking for a director for its new Illinois APEX Accelerator Center.
The agency recently received a $90,000 grant from the Illinois APEX Accelerator program to help small businesses secure government contracts at the local, state and federal level.
“The director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator Center is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of APEX, including consulting services to clients, oversight of budget activities, required reporting to the DCEO, and more,” officials said. “The Illinois APEX Accelerator Center Director will represent the APEX program at the local and regional level in the economic and business development communities and collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout Champaign County and central Illinois.”
Support for the local facility comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the county economic development agency and the University of Illinois. The program is provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.
“While continuation of this position is anticipated for years to come, all APEX positions are dependent on continued grant funding,” officials said.
More information is available at champaigncountyedc.org/careers.
