A cat lounge and board game café that’s been in development for over a year hopes to open next month.
“We still have one more big inspection to get through and a lot of odds and ends with setup,” said Rebecca Minick, owner of The Scratching Post in downtown Champaign. “Assuming we can get through the inspection this month, we’ll start moving in the rescue cats the first week in June.”
She would then hope to open to the public during the third week of June.
The Scratching Post, located at 114 E. University Ave., will include a cat lounge and a board game café that are completely separate from each other, per its website. However, café patrons will be able to see the cats through a viewing window.
The café will have its own HVAC system and sell food and drinks that are either pre-packaged or made offsite by other local businesses, with 20 percent of profits going to nonprofit cat rescues.
Minick will partner with the Champaign Area Trap, Spay, Neuter and Adoption Program to bring in adoptable cats.
“We should be able to have at least 30 cats in our lounge,” she said. “We’ll introduce smaller groups at a time slowly to see how they do and make sure it doesn’t feel like you’re stepping on cats.”
She also hopes to display local artwork on the café side. Anyone interested in displaying or selling their art in The Scratching Post can reach out to info@scratchingpostcafe.com.
Corn Crib to close next month
The Corn Crib of Newman is shutting its doors.
“I must regretfully announce that our Corn Crib era is coming to an end effective June 15. Scott and I have made the incredibly tough decision to close,” co-owner Erica Burris wrote in a Facebook post.
“Owning a business that brought the community together was a job of joy and the idea that we were the background to so many of your memories will fill our hearts with gratitude long after our doors close for good.”
The Corn Crib, located at 107 E. Yates St., has been on the market for nearly two years. The asking price, previously set at a little under $300,000, was recently lowered to $235,000.
More information is available in a listing from Keller Williams The Real Estate Center of Illinois at homesearchil.com.
Burris said in a previous interview that the current business climate for restaurants is challenging, particularly in smaller towns. Additionally, she and her husband, Scott, have three kids to take care of, along with a farm and a hearing aid business Burris helps her mother with.
She wrote in her May 10 announcement that the future of the Corn Crib after June 15 is “still up in the air,” and the couple will provide an update to the community once they have more information.
Starting this week, the business will be closed every Monday and Tuesday. Hours for the other days will be as follows:
- Wednesday: Dining room is open 6 to 10 a.m.; the tavern is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thursday: The dining room is closed; the tavern is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: The dining room is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the tavern is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday: The dining room is closed; the tavern is open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Sunday: The dining room is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the tavern is closed.
The menu will also “look a little different,” the business said.
“BUT.. of course, we couldn’t end this chapter without one final Freedom Festival weekend,” Burris wrote. “We promise our last hurrah will be full of live music, karaoke, cold drinks, your favorite employees and FUN. Maybe a few tears as well.”
Champaign bar reopens with new safety rules
The Park Bar & Grill, 1906 W. Bradley Ave., announced on May 8 that it would “resume regular operations,” albeit with some new policies in place to promote safety.
From now on “all physical altercations, regardless of severity” will be reported to the police, and anyone involved in a fight will be permanently banned from the bar, “regardless of who initiated it.”
“Online threats or attempts to instigate violence via social media will result in denial of entry,” the business added. “We will not tolerate any behavior that compromises the safety and integrity of our community.”
The Park Bar & Grill had previously closed five days earlier due to an order from the city, which cited public-safety concerns related to the establishment “repeatedly failing to report disorderly conduct and/or violations of state and city ordinances occurring on their property.”
The business said it has since had “productive discussions” with the city.
“Our team and ownership have worked tirelessly to maintain a safe, welcoming space for everyone,” The Park Bar & Grill said in its latest post. “If this respect is not returned by the community members we will have no choice but to consider permanently closing our doors. This is our final effort to preserve The Park Bar as a positive and safe environment for all.”
Student entrepreneurs to compete for seed money
Seven Parkland College students from the CobraVenture accelerator will compete in a pitch showcase from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the student union.
Participating students will each have five minutes to pitch to local venture capitalists and startup experts, college officials said.
Prizes include up to $3,000 in monetary awards and the title of Parkland Student Entrepreneur of the Year.
More information about the program, including this year’s participants and their business ideas, is available at parkland.edu/cobrapitch.
Fairlawn buys Champaign strip center
Fairlawn, a firm specializing in real estate investment, management and development, has announced its acquisition of Parkhill Plaza.
This commercial property is located at the corner of South Neil Street and West John Street. Tenants include Dixon Graphics, Anytime Fitness, Little Caesars, Champaign Dental Group, Classic Tan and Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty.
Company officials said Fairlawn is planning improvements to the site, including a roof replacement, parking lot upgrades and “additional repairs to enhance the property’s overall condition and curb appeal.”
Veterinary business celebrates anniversary with discount
All About Animals Pet Clinic, located at 305 S. Prairie View Road in Mahomet, is celebrating its 12-year anniversary with a special promotion.
During the month of May, the exam fee for new veterinary clients will be $12, which is a $63 discount from the regular price. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 217-586-4477.
