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Joanna Vaughn has been passionate about the environment for several years. So when she heard that Tara Allen, who had attended nursing school alongside her mother, had opened an eco-friendly shop, stopping by was a no-brainer.

“I just loved all of her selection, the things that she had, and I think we ended up buying one of almost everything in the store at one point,” Vaughn said.

She took it one step further in February and bought the business itself, as Allen is stepping down to focus on other things. 

Vaughn said she’s dreamed of being a business owner since she was 12.

“I had the opportunity to own a business and put all of my sales and management experience into something — it’s a cause that I believe in,” she said. “So I got to kind of combine all of my experience with my passion. So it just seemed like the perfect time to do it.”

Greener Goods Shop and Refillery, located at 110 S. Neil St. in Champaign, includes a station where customers can fill up reusable containers with items such as soap, detergents and bath products, Allen said in a previous interview. The shop also sells everyday items that come in eco-friendly packaging.

Vaughn plans to expand the refillery with more options, while still keeping the houseware products that customers know and love, such as dish brushes and cloth towels. 

Allen said in a newsletter to customers that Vaughn has been a “longtime patron” of the shop.

“I’m excited to watch her take over and infuse some fresh life into Greener Goods,” Allen said, adding that she plans to become a regular customer herself.

“It’s been incredible,” Vaughn said. “I seriously cannot say enough kind things about the other shop owners around me, just the community that we’re a part of, the customers, just everyone I’ve come across has been so welcoming and so excited for me. It’s honestly been overwhelming.”

Mahomet pizzeria to reopen in Urbana

Patricio’s Pizza & More, formerly located in Mahomet, is coming to Lincoln Square Mall’s food court.

The business told The News-Gazette it plans to open in the mall at the end of March.

Patricio’s was previously located at 703 Eastwood Drive in Mahomet but closed the location in September.

Mobile business hopes to ‘floor’ customers

A new business is looking to make home renovations easier by bringing the store to the customer.

Calvin Teubel, co-owner of Floor Coverings International Champaign, explained that he operates a “mobile showroom” van. Once a customer schedules a free consultation, he arrives with flooring samples in tow, allowing the shopper to examine different materials and see how they will look in their home and lighting.

“Obviously, when you go to a store, you can check out samples, but then you have to return them, where we bring them and then take them back with us,” Teubel said.

He added that being able to see the customer’s home firsthand helps the business make recommendations.

Teubel, who co-owns the business with his wife, Bethany, previously worked in local healthcare for over 15 years.

As a father of six, he wanted to switch to a career that would allow him more time with his family, leading him to open the franchise in fall 2024.

FCI Champaign can be reached at 217-687-1356. For more information, including a map of the business’s service area, go to floorcoveringsinternational.com/locations/us/il/champaign/.

The local franchise serves a wide range of communities, including Catlin, Champaign, Danville, Georgetown, Homer, Mahomet, Oakwood, Philo, Saint Joseph, Savoy, Sidney, Tilton, Thomasboro, Tolono, Westville and Urbana.

First Mid names regional president

First Mid Bank & Trust has announced the promotion of John West to regional community bank president for the Decatur region, which includes Sullivan, Arcola, Tuscola, Monticello, Mansfield, Paris, Marshall, Decatur, Forsyth, Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Rantoul and Savoy.

“I am honored to step into this role and continue serving our customers and communities in this capacity,” West said. “Building strong relationships and supporting local businesses has always been a passion of mine, and I look forward to leading our team as we drive growth and make a meaningful impact in Decatur and the surrounding communities.”

West, who earned his bachelor’s in agrifinance from the University of Illinois, has been with First Mid’s commercial banking team for over 20 years and specializes in commercial and ag lending, company officials said. He has received several honors during his time with the bank, including Impact Lender of the Year and the Chairman’s Award for Excellence.

His duties as regional community bank president will include attending to business development, community engagement initiatives, and “supporting and strengthening lending relationships” in the area.

Fairlawn names VP of property management

Fairlawn, a multifamily real estate investment, development and management firm based in Chicago and Champaign, has announced the hire of Gina Fortune-Harmon as vice president of property management.

“I’m thrilled to join Fairlawn and be part of such a dynamic and growing firm,” she said. “The opportunity to collaborate with talented colleagues, build new relationships, and continue growing professionally is something I’ve been eagerly anticipating. I’m excited to dive in, contribute to Fairlawn’s continued success, and embrace the journey that lies ahead!”

Fortune-Harmon will be based in the company’s Chicago office and lead “strategic property management initiatives” across the company’s portfolio, Fairlawn officials said. 

She has over 40 years of experience in property management, including her most recent role as vice president of property management for The Habitat Company. She also serves as president of the Chicagoland Apartment Association’s Board of Directors.