There might be no place like home for Thanksgiving, but for those who like to hang out for a drink, at least a few bars will be open for the holidays.
The four Urbana champagne bars confirmed to be open on Thanksgiving are Bunny’s Tavern, 119 W. Water St., U, Pia’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1609 W. Springfield Ave., C, Blind Pig Co., 120 N. Walnut St., C, and Bentley’s Pub, 419 N. Neil St., C.
Bunny’s is open from 7am to midnight. According to co-owner Frank Fonte, the kitchen will be closed, but pizza and some fried appetizers will be available.
Partner Ben Manns said that Bunny’s is open 365 days a year, and business is quite good during Thanksgiving.
Pia’s Sports Bar & Grill (open 365 days a year) will also be open and serving food on Thanksgiving from 7 a.m. to midnight.
“We do get a lot of people on Thanksgiving,” says bartender Jenna Malloch.
Blind Pig owner Chris Knight said the pub also does pretty well on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“The problem is that people who spend a few days with their families need to go get a drink,” he said.
Bentley’s has a DJ starting at 8pm, no covers. While the bar doesn’t have a kitchen, it does sell crisps and allows customers to bring their own food.
on the move
Champaign Jewelers will be relocating to new, larger space in January.
Since opening in 2013, the store has been at its current location in the Shoppes of Knollwood, and owner Kari Smith said it will be moving to 2437 Village Green Place, C in Village at the Crossing.
“We’re in a bit of a mess right now,” she said.
She purchased two retail spaces at Village the Crossing, located in the back half of the building where Chittick Eye Care is located.
Smith said she was looking for a bigger space and ample parking.
Champagne Jewelers is a full-service jeweler that also offers repairs and custom designs, she said.
reshape
Dunkin’ at 1302 N. Prospect Ave., C is currently closed for a complete remodel.
General manager Jay Patel said customers will see a new look when it reopens. An estimated completion date for the work could not be obtained, he said.
The City of Champaign recently approved a building permit for Macy’s at the Market Place mall for a $230,000 remodel of the store’s second floor.
Per permit, the work included demolition, non-load bearing partitions, and electrical and HVAC work. No further information on the project is available.
free parking
The City of Champaign is temporarily offering up to two hours of free parking in its Hill Street parking lot (on the corner of Randolph and Hill Streets) to encourage downtown shopping and dining.
This offer is valid for the entire month of December.
The car park has over 300 visitor parking spaces.