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While over 13,000 households have invested in Common Ground Food Co-op since its inception 50 years ago, marketing manager Sarah Buckman said the co-op's origins were modest.
A group of local volunteers formed a buyer's club in 1974 so they could collectively purchase bulk orders of foods they couldn't find in the Champaign-Urbana community -- items like tofu and brown rice that they had to travel to Wisconsin to find.
In 1984, the co-op set up shop in a basement room at the Illinois Disciples Foundation building in Champaign, Common Ground officials said.
"It was such a small place that they didn't have delivery or dock doors, so they would use the window to funnel all of the products through," Buckman said.
In 2008, the co-op took a significant step, moving out of the basement and into Lincoln Square Mall, where it is located to this day.
Buckman said they expanded the store in 2012 with a community classroom, administrative offices, and a prepared foods bakery and kitchen.
"The co-op has changed so much," she said. "In 1974, it was just an amazing buyer's club, all volunteer-run. And then it started to gradually grow its ownership as an official food co-op in the basement, all volunteer-run, super community-oriented. And we still are very community-oriented but in a different way."
Common Ground now employs over 65 staff, and its community outreach efforts include cooking classes, giving to charity, efforts to reduce food waste and increase food access, and buying food from local farmers.
The co-op is throwing a 50th anniversary celebration at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 11.
More information and a link to RSVP is available at commonground.coop/50th-party. There is no cost for admission but registration is required.
Members of the community are invited to share photos and memories from the co-op's history as part of the celebration, and these can be sent to marketing@commonground.coop.
"We couldn't have done this without our community," Buckman said. "We wouldn't be the same."
Local market update
Three local properties of note are still on the market after marking down their asking prices.
-- David Kraft of Kraft Properties reduced the asking price on the Art Theater, located at 126-128 W. Church St. in Champaign, to $870,000 in October 2023. It was originally listed for nearly $2 million in 2020 and later lowered to $998,000 before reaching its current price point. Kraft told The News-Gazette he continues to speak with interested parties, and incentives available from the city of Champaign have "created renewed interest in the theater space."
"With the liquor license, possible fundraising and available grants (attached), the current price of $100/sq ft makes the building adjacent to the parking garage with theater, 4 apartments, additional commercial space, and billboard an attractive location," he said.
More information is available on the Kraft Properties Facebook page.
-- Meanwhile, an approximately 1,400-square-foot building at 703 N. Prospect Ave. that has played host to a number of businesses over the years -- most recently the The Neighbors at the Ice House bar -- is also up for grabs.
The property's asking price was initially $500,000 in May but has since been lowered a couple of times and is now $399,999. In addition to the bar space, the building also includes an upstairs apartment.
Broker Carol Meinhart with The Real Estate Group Inc. said that while the for sale sign has been removed, the former bar is still on the market. She said that she received a couple of offers on the property, but the owner turned them down.
-- Skateland Savoy remains open even as owners Bob and Jeanne Householder look for someone new to take the reins.
The 2.5-acre site at 208 W. Curtis Road includes a 28,000-square-foot main building and two small out buildings. Previously listed with Guth and Associates for $2.375 million in June, the asking price was recently lowered to $1.9 million.
The sale can also include the Skateland business and equipment, if so desired.
"We continue to be working leads on the building, most would retail its current use," said Jill Guth, owner and designated managing broker of Guth and Associates.
Bob Householder said a couple of local people who wanted to keep operating the property as a roller rink toured the site in early June, and another group toured in July.
However, he noted that interest rates are high at the moment, which may be why they've seen a lack of movement on the property.
"I tell people, 'It could take six months or six years, but we're still here until there's a new buyer in place,' " Householder said. "And I think that's the hardest thing, to get that message out that we're still open every week, every session, that we have been. And we continue to do that, because we're not just going to close out of the blue."
The listing can be viewed at crexi.com.
New Rantoul restaurant working on final touches
A new Mexican bar and restaurant located at the former home of Logan's Pub could open as early as October. Owner Miguel Rebollo said Los Patrones Mexican Bar and Grill is waiting on its liquor license, which he estimated could take three to five weeks. The restaurant will be located at 424 S. Century Blvd.
"We're just ready to get it open," said his wife, Mikki Rebollo. "...The renovations have taken two years."
Juan Carlos Rebollo and Oscar Solis are partnering with Miguel Rebollo on Los Patrones. Miguel Rebollo is also an owner/partner in several other restaurants including Casa Del Mar in Urbana, Las Palmas Mexican Grill in Champaign and Casa Margaritas Mexican Grill in Champaign.
Ogden DG open for business
A new Dollar General has opened its doors at a site that was previously home to several restaurants over the years, including the Pink Pig barbecue joint and the Pink House.
The national retain chain announced Monday that the store at 203 S. Market St. is now open. It's anticipated that the Ogden location will employ about 10 to 15 people depending on its level of need.
It's anticipated that the Ogden location will employ about 10 to 15 people depending on its level of need. More information on open positions is available at dollargeneral.com/careers.
The chain added that, to celebrate the new store's opening, it will donate 100 new books to a nearby elementary school.
Legal firm on the move
After nearly 80 years at its downtown Champaign location, Thomas Mamer Attorneys at Law has moved to 2005 N. Dunlap Ave. in Champaign.
"The decision to relocate wasn't easy," said Managing Partner Kenneth D. Reifsteck. "After all, we've resided in our downtown location since the firm's inception in 1946. However, our new location just off of South Neil, on Dunlap not only provides us with more room to serve our clients better but also offers wonderful parking accommodations and enhanced accessibility. We're confident this move will allow us to continue providing the exceptional legal support for decades to come."
The firm, previously at 30 E. Main St., also said that the new location provides more space to house its "growing team of legal professionals."