Archive for September, 2008
September 25th, 2008
Lula’s Vintage Boutique, downtown’s source for vintage clothing and accessories, is closing by year’s end.
Slow business didn’t claim the store, however. Co-owner Luan Dean said she had become a destination for downtown shoppers.
“I could definitely stay open if I wanted to, but working six days a week and being a business owner, I just need a break,” she said. She’s not sure what her next business venture will be.
Dean said she’s having a going-out-of-business sale at the 221 E. State St. store, and plans to stay open until late November or early December. The store is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
September 24th, 2008
Judy Johnson, the maven of River District Catering, is the latest to make a go at putting a soul food restaurant in the Campus Square shopping center at College Avenue and Seminary Street. Johnson opened Sweet Southern Soul there Sept. 3, and moved her River District operations to the storefronts as well. She’s serving homestyle Southern cooking, including chitlins, catfish and smothered pork chops.
Johnson said she’s taken up several of the vacant storefronts in the shopping center and is working on refurbishing them. The shopping area recently became home of the ORCHiD Third Union College Neighborhood Association.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
September 24th, 2008
Get your Girlie Girl Shoes while you can. The boutique on the upper level of Edgebrook Center, 1641 N. Alpine Road, is closing its doors. According to an e-mail from the store sent to its customers, a clearance sale is ongoing through Oct. 4 with sales on fall merchandise and remaining summer stock. Bids are also being taken on the furnishings and decorations.
A farewell party will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at the store.
September 23rd, 2008
Ten Spa’ut Beauty Boutique & Bronzing Spa has been open for about five months, but is celebrating its official grand opening Saturday. The 7164 N. Cherryvale Blvd. location — on the north end of the Cherry Vale mall — offers five levels of indoor tanning, sunless tanning and skin care products. Owner Michelle Capraru plans to expand into spray tans soon, and wants to offer facials and other beauty services in the future. For more information, check out its MySpace page: www.myspace.com/tenspaut.
September 22nd, 2008
The new location for Table 13 is getting closer to opening. The City Council should approve the liquor license for the new location, in the former Ember location at 6957 Olde Creek Road, in the next week. Owner Jeremy Germano said remodeling is under way, and he should know within a few weeks what his timetable is for opening.
The restaurant was once located at North Main and Auburn streets, but Germano sold that building to make way for a new Walgreens location.
September 17th, 2008
The new Babies R Us and Toys R Us (dubbed the “R Superstore” by the company) is having its grand opening Friday. The 6449 E. State St. store is occupying the space once held by the Media Play store that closed last year. The new store is 64,000 square feet and is the first Toys/Babies R Us combo in the state. Several special events and activities are planned this weekend in commemoration of the store’s opening.
September 5th, 2008
Two chain restaurants have shut their doors in recent weeks. Bakers Square, on Cherryvale Boulevard near the mall, shut down as of Aug. 26. Company representatives didn’t return calls for comment, but the restaurant’s corporate owners, Vicorp Restaurants Inc., have been going through bankruptcy proceedings.
Also, the Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2328 Charles St., has closed its doors. The chain is franchised, and representatives from the company didn’t return calls for comment. But the signs have been pried off the walls and handwritten signs announcing the store is closed lead me to believe it’s not shut down for some minor remodeling.
September 5th, 2008
A new children’s clothing boutique, Tees & Tutus, has opened in the Edgebrook shopping center at North Alpine and Highcrest roads. Owner Kim Thiede said the store, located next to Egg Harbor Cafe, sells clothing and accessories for children sizes newborn through 10. It opened the week of Aug. 11.
You’ll have to look sharp to find the store, however - Thiede hasn’t put a marquee sign up yet. After a car hit one of the support pillars in front of Egg Harbor, she decided to hold off on signage until after repairs are made.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 815-399-9110 for details.
September 4th, 2008
Figli’s restaurant, 200 E. Riverside Blvd., closed this week for some retooling. New managers Joanne and Terry Carner are transforming the site to Northwoods Grill & Bar, which will retain some of the original bar atmosphere but also offer a setting conducive to sit-down dining.
Joanne Carner said the menu will include lots of fish entrees, plus steak, pork and lots of appetizers. The decor will be “outdoorsy,” inspired by the couple’s many trips to Wisconsin.
They’re planning a soft opening sometime next week, so stay tuned to the blog for more details.
September 3rd, 2008
The Monical’s Pizza at 1570 W. Lane Road in Machesney Park closed Aug. 20, according to information from the company. The franchise’s owner, Tom Geissler, opened the location in 2006.
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