Email your business news to Jana Wiersema at jwiersema@news-gazette.com.
Sign up for our daily newsletter here
After more than 45 years in business at 102 W. University Ave. in Urbana, the family-owned auto repair shop has shifted gears.
Red's Muffler Shop is currently located at 2001 N. Kenyon Rd., formerly the home of Pro-Tech Motors.
The University Avenue property is listed on Crexi and LoopNet as a “redevelopment property” for sale.
“We plan to demolish the Red building and sell the site for $625,000,” said John Kaiser, managing broker with Birch Kaiser Real Estate.
Red's owner Wayne Shaw said he feels the new store is more accessible than the previous one, adding there is more parking.
“I found out from a friend that the people who worked at this location, the new location, wanted to retire at the beginning of this year. So I talked to them and made a deal and bought this place,” he said. said.
His mother, Nelda Shaw, said in a previous interview that she and her husband, Don, moved to Urbana in 1976. The couple worked at a muffler shop owned by Don's older brother, which was named Red after the shape of his hair. The business was acquired in 1978.
Wayne said the family has been renting the University Avenue property ever since.
“I've been working in the old store since I was 15 in my high school work program,” he said. “Even before that, I would go there after school and spend time with my parents when they were working there.”
Still, despite spending many years in the old store, he said he's not sad about the move and is happy to own the new store instead of renting.
Wayne's son, Hunter, was at the store on Monday and said he wanted to be at the new location from day one.
When asked if Hunter would like to take over the business, Wayne replied, “He certainly would. …Who knows? He's 12 years old. He probably would.”
“He's a carbon copy of that,” Neruda said.
KFC is closed
KFC at 2201 W. Springfield Ave. in Champaign has permanently closed. A notice posted on the store's door says it's still available at 410 E. University Ave. in Urbana or 1321 N. Dunlap Ave. in Savoy.
Media representatives for the chain did not respond to requests for comment.
Toy and game retailer holds inventory sale ahead of closure
Adventure Awaits Toys & Games, located at 137 N. Vermilion St. in Danville, is having a huge sale until May 25, the store's last day of business. The store is offering up to 50% off all remaining inventory during the sale.
Co-owner Jeff Hurley announced on the company's social media in March that he and his wife, Brandi, had decided not to renew their lease.
“While business has been good in recent months, albeit a little slower than usual, our hearts are no longer there,” he wrote. “I realized that my favorite part of any business I've ever been in is talking to customers, teaching them about products, and explaining them in an easy-to-understand way. There are other jobs I can do.” Me too. I've thought many times about wanting to do that full-time, and this country needs more of us as teachers. ”
Adventure Awaits is located in a building owned by Fred & Ma LLC. Ashton Greer, who is listed as one of the LLC's registered managers, said a new tenant for the space has not yet been found.
The site of the chicken coop awaits construction start.
Brooks Marsh, managing partner of Eastwood Commercial, LLC, said the company aims to break ground on a new mixed-use building in Mahomet in late June. However, he added that they were still working to get an accurate estimate of when construction could begin.
He added that he had received letters of intent from “some potential tenants” but could not make any announcements yet.
“Everyone has an NDA and wants to announce it in their own time,” he said.
The development will be built on a site along Lombard Street near the I-74 interchange in Mahomet. The site previously housed a restaurant, Hen House, which was demolished in April.
Marsh said in a previous interview that the site will have three to four tenants.
“We think it will be a good addition,” he said. “It’s not the same old thing.”
Promise plans dedication to Rantoul Clinic
Promise Healthcare welcomes the community to its new Rantoul location on Tuesday, May 21st.
Community members are invited to meet staff over coffee at the open house at 424 East Wabash Avenue starting at 7 a.m. The dedication ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes presentations, tours, and refreshments.
RSVPs are welcome but not required. To RSVP, please email info@promisehealth.org or call 217-356-1558, ext. 263.
According to Promise officials, Promise Healthcare Rantoul is a certified school-based health center. This was made possible in part through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
“This location has room for future expansion,” said Jennifer Henry, CEO of Promise Healthcare. “Our partnership with Rantoul City School District 137, having a clinic on the JW Eater Middle School campus, and our proximity to Rantoul Township High School will improve access to care for our students and their families.”
The clinic will be open to all community members and will be staffed by family physician Dr. Sonya Hansen, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, and psychiatric nurse Jessica Mandrell, Promise officials said.