23-02-2025
Longtime local catering business buys Savoy property
Feb. 23—A local catering business that has been serving the community for over 40 years is expanding its footprint.
Michaels' Catering, established in 1984, has purchased 104 W. Tomaras Ave., which was most recently home to Pan & Cake Catering Co. and Marble's Catering.
Whitney Ackermann, co-owner of Michaels' Catering alongside Stephen Kovachevich and Ling Kuhn, said they had previously considered buying the building the last time it was on the market but decided against it due to the pandemic.
"But we've been looking for a space of our own for a while," Ackermann said. "So it was a good space and it's in a nice location and it's already built out for catering, so we don't have to do a lot of work."
Michaels' Catering currently leases space at 720 S. Neil St., Suite 3. Ackermann said they are still determining whether to keep this location or move out.
She estimated that the space on Tomaras Avenue could be up and running after graduation, potentially around early June.
The Champaign Fire Department has issued a building renovation permit at 3002 Apollo Drive, Bay 4 for a Red Bull facility. The estimated value of construction is approximately $270,000.
City Zoning Administrator Katherine Trotter wrote in her review of the project that distribution facilities and warehouses are both permitted uses in the Heavy Industrial District, which the site lies within.
Red Bull has posted an online job listing for an account sales manager in Champaign.
Culver's, located at 2006 Patton Drive, officially opened at 10 a.m. Monday following a ribbon cutting, according to a Facebook post from the Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce.
The franchise is owned by Gary Satterlee, who also owns Culver's in Champaign, Urbana and Danville.
According to the chain's website, the location is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
"Stop by to enjoy their famous ButterBurgers, fresh frozen custard, and delicious cheese curds!" chamber officials wrote. "Let's show them a warm Mahomet welcome!"
CU Glass Connection, located at 307 S. Neil St. in Champaign, has announced that it will be closing permanently at the end of the month. Until then, the shop will be open with limited hours and offer going-out-of-business sales.
The shop offers "high quality functional glass art and accessories," including a variety of paraphernalia.
Owner Owen Serpetis attributed the closure to "economic difficulties and a sharp downturn in business over the past few years," as well as an "oversaturated market."
He added that would-be customers have to prioritize expenses such as gas and food, and there isn't a lot of room leftover in their budget for non-essential products.
Grand Prairie Friends (GPF) has received national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. According to GPF, the certification demonstrates commitment to "professional excellence" and maintaining public trust.
GPF is a nonprofit conservation land trust that owns and stewards over 1,100 acres of natural lands throughout Coles, Shelby, Champaign, Vermilion, Iroquois and Ford counties.
"For the last three years, GPF Board of Directors and staff worked through the rigorous process of earning national accreditation to achieve the highest standards in land management, transactions and financial stability," said Executive Director Sarah Livesay. "As a non-profit conservation land trust, GPF is not a taxing body; we depend on the generosity of donors, members and volunteers to help us protect, preserve and promote natural areas in the communities we serve."
The nonprofit said that accreditation will help them access "new funding opportunities, grants and programs."
The organization is one of nine accredited land trusts in the state and the only one outside of Chicago, Macomb or St. Louis.
"It is exciting to recognize Grand Prairie Friends with this national mark of distinction," said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. "Donors and partners can trust the more than 450 accredited land trusts across the country are united behind strong standards and have demonstrated sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship."
