The Venue CU is a new, upscale wedding and events venue located on the historic East Main Street in downtown Champaign (in the former Varisty Theater and Vriner’s Confestionery). We sat down with Casey Gold (left), Dan Church (right), and Greg Bugbee (seated) at The Venue CU to hear their family-owned business got started in …
Casey Gold, Dan Church, & Greg Bugbee of The Venue CU Read More »
C-U at Home engages and mobilizes our community to house and support the most vulnerable homeless on their journey of healing and restoration. We sat down with Rob Dalhaus, the director of CU at Home to find out more. What is CU at Home? CU at Home is a small non-profit homelessness ministry. We have been …
Community Choices is a family cooperative supporting individuals with disabilities to live in the community, have jobs, and make new friends. We sat down with Ashley Withers to learn more. What is Community Choices? Community Choices is actually set up as a human services cooperative, which basically just means that we have a lot …
UpClose Marketing & Printing is a full-service center for all your printing, direct mailing, and wide-format needs. We sat down with the owner of UpClose Marketing & Printing, Peter Schmidt. When did UpClose start? I bought a rental car franchise and then in 1987 I bought a copy shop on the campus of the …
Support your favorite small and independent businesses in Champaign by purchasing gift cards. Gift cards provide a much needed cash advance, no strings attached, for small businesses during the pandemic. Purchase gift cards for upcoming birthdays, special occasions, holidays, and more! Retail Gift Cards BodyWork AssociatesDowntown BodyWork Associates sees massage therapy as a …
INB, formerly Illinois National Bank, is a locally owned, privately held national bank based in Springfield, Illinois. We sat down with Lanna Bartko at the Champaign branch. How did you get involved with INB? I actually got involved because I’m a Champaign-Urbana Jaycees. My boss Andi is also in the Jaycees, so we met …
Welcome to the Downtown Picnic Parks! The City of Champaign, in partnership with the Champaign Park District, launched three PICNIC PARKS in downtown! The Picnic Parks support local businesses by adding extra seating for you to enjoy carryout food and drinks in downtown. The picnic parks are open daily from 11 am to 9 pm …
Goosehead Insurance is an independent agency representing different insurance companies. CCP spoke with Gene and Charlene Guldbrandsen, local agents at Goosehead. What’s your background and how did you get started at Goosehead Insurance? Gene: My background is working in warehouses. I worked in SuperValu for 29 years. After they lost some business …
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As COVID-19 precautions and closures take effect in Illinois and Champaign County, it’s important to consider some alternative approaches to shopping local and supporting the local economy. There are many ways you can support local businesses and their employees while also maintaining social distancing and stay-at-home recommendations. At the Champaign Center Partnership, we also encourage …
Just BEE Acai is a mobile food truck serving Acai bowls, loaded oats, specialty toasts, and selling locally-made gifts. CCP spoke with owner, Emma Reinbold. You originally went to school to become a teacher. What motivated you to switch industries and open your business? I went to the University of Illinois for Special Education and …
Champaign Center Partnership
301 N. Neil Street, Suite 400
Champaign IL, 61820
217-352-2400
info@champaigncenter.com
