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516 E John Street, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 384-0977

Urbana-Champaign's Best Independent DVD Rental store

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Think Global, Act Local

Do you seek out the interesting and different in life? Where do you eat? Where do you shop? Where do you meet your friends to hang out? If it ain’t a locally-owned business, you’re missing out on discovering the unique in Urbana-Champaign. Why settle for the “same” place you can find off any interstate? Why not check out the stuff that is owned by a real person who lives right here in town? Check out these places where you will find the little details that make life fun. Please support your locally owned businesses wherever you are.

(Note: I have only listed locally owned non-franchise businesses. This is by no means a complete list. If you know of additions please e-mail them to me.)
Urbana
Apple Dumpling (breakfast and lunch) 2014 N High Cross Road 344-0076
Art Mart (Gourmet food/supplies and fun stuff) Lincoln Square Mall 344-7979
Baker's Bikes (used bicycle sales/repairs) 1001 S Lynn Street 390-8254
Bikeworks (bicycle sales/repairs -- Bianchi Baby!) 1103 W Main 328-2001
Boomerang's Bar & Grill 1309 E Washington 239-7264
Bread Company (restaurant) 706 S Goodwin 383-1007
Bunny's Tavern 119 W Water
Butterfly Beads 1104 E Washington 344-BEAD
Caffe Paradiso (Coffee, Lunch Stuff, Pastries) 801 South Lincoln 384-6066
Carter's Furniture 410 N Vine 367-4066
Cinema Gallery 120 W Main St 367-3711
Collins Gas Station (the last locally owned gas station) 808 E Main
Corkscrew Wine Emporium Ltd 203 N Vine 337-7704
Courier Café (restaurant) 111 N Race 328-1811
Crane Alley 115 W Main St 384-7526
Dos Reales Mexican II (Mexican Restaurant) University Avenue
Downtown Color Works (photo printing) 304 E California Ave 337-3052
Durst Cycle & Fitness 1112 W University Ave 367-3600
El Toro (Mexican Restaurant) 1104 N Cunningham
Embassy Tavern 114 S Race 384-9526
English Hedgerow (florist and bistro) 406 N Lincoln Ave(at University) 365-0055
Glass Lake Studio 2908 E Main Street
Griggs Street Potters 305 W Griggs Street 344-8546
The Guitar Store/Corson Music 202 W Main Street 367-3898
Heartland Gallery 112 W Main Street 337-4767
Heel to Toe (shoes) 106 W Main 367-2880
Hickory River (formerly Longhorn Smokehouse) 1706 N Cunningham
High Cross Studios 1101 N High Cross Road 367-6345
Hooey Batiks (batiked clothing, pillows and stuff) www.hooeybatiks.com
International Galleries (posters & framing) 114 Lincoln Square Mall 328-2254
Iron Post (bar/venue) 120 S Race 337-POST
Jolly Roger (Italian restaurant -- pirates, get it?) 118 W Water 367-8366
Kennedy’s at Stone Creek (Fine Dining) 2560 S Stone Creek 384-8111
Lil Porgy’s Bar-B-Que 101 W University Ave 367-1018
Lincoln Bookbindery (custom book binding... cool!) 1601 N Coler 328-2613
Margaritas (Mexican restaurant) 1717 S Philo Rd 337-6919
Miko Steak/Sushi House 407 W University Ave 367-0822
Milos Restaurant 300 S Broadway 344-8946
Mirabelle Fine Pastry Inc (breads, pastries) 124 W Main 384-6460
Parasol Records www.parasol.com 344-8609
Peter B’s (Auto Repair) 509 N Lierman 367-3821
Priceless Books 108 W Main 344-4037
Private Studios (Recording Studio) 705 Western 367-3530
Red Herring Restaurant (Vegetarian/Vegan, Lunch only) 1209 W Oregon
Rose Bowl Tavern Ltd 106 N Race 367-7031
Siam Terrace (Thai food) 212 W Main
Silvercreek (restaurant) 402 N Race 328-3402
Station Theatre (live theatre) 223 N Broadway 384-4000
Strawberry Fields Natural Foods Market 306 W Springfield Ave 328-1655
Sunshine Grocery (Chinese Grocery) -- CLOSED 117 W Washington 384-6668
Tang Dynasty (Chinese food) Lincoln Square (South side)
Hickory River Smokehouse (aka Longhorn Smokehouse) 1706 N Cunningham 337-1656
Timpone’s Restaurant (Italian food) 710 S Goodwin 344-7619
Tod & John's (tavern) 201 N Broadway 367-0904
Urbana Garden (family dining) North Lincoln Ave (at I-74) 328-1514
Champaign
Acupunture & Chinese Herb Center 206 N Randolph 359-6364
Allure Salon 2907 W Springfield 355-3900
Alto Vineyards 4210 North Duncan Road 356-4784
Amandari Home Furnishings 113 N Walnut 359-6388
Am-Ko Oriental Foods & Gifts 101 E Springfield Ave 398-2922
Annapoorna (Indian grocery store) 505 S Neil Street 355-5215
Appearances (Beauty Salon) 512 E John 344-4949
April’s Country Florist 502 East John Street 328-0038
Aroma Cafe 118 N Neil 356-3200
Art Coop (art supplies) 401 East Green 352-4562
Artie's Pizza -- Closed! 809 S Fifth Street 384-5000
Bacaro 113 N Walnut 398-6982
Back in Business Cartridges 602 E Green, Suite #2 (above Busey Bank) 328-2606
Bart’s Hair Design Studio -- CLOSED 73 Chester St 355-9237
Basmati (Indian Cuisine) 302 S First 351-8877
Bella Mia 2227 S Neil St 352-2222
Better Image (Film processing) 44 E University 352-0213
Blind Pig 120 N Market St
Boardman's Art Theatre 126 W Church St 351-4562
Bogart’s Casablanca -- CLOSED 502 East John 328-2668
Boltini (Bar/Lounge) 2111 N Neil 378-8001
Boneyard Pottery 403 Water Street 355-5610
Boombox Studios (Music Recording) 508 W Hill 898-6514
Brass Rail (tavern) 15 E University Ave 352-7512
Brian B Knox (jewelry) 117 East University 351-4915
Cafe Kopi 109 N Walnut St 359-4266
Cafe Luna (fantastic lunch and dinner) (review) 313 E Green Street 344-1895
Cafe Sarkis -- Closed 512 E John Street (Johnstowne Centre) 344-1300
Carmon’s (Breakfast/Lunch) 415 North Neil 352-5880
Carrie’s (second-hand stuff) 204 N Neil 352-3231
Champagne Audio 505 S Neil 355-8828
Champaign Cycle 506 S Country Fair Dr 352-7600
Champaign Surplus 303 S Neil 356-4703
Circles (clothing/shoes) 107 N Walnut 359-2199
Common Ground Food Co-Op 610 E Springfield 352-3347
Cowboy Monkey (Bar/Live Music) 6 Taylor Street 398-2688
Dandelion (Vintage Clothing Shop) 9 Taylor Street 355-9333
Danny's Salon (Hair and nails) 907 Arrow Rd Ste 2 359-8310
Dean's Superior Blueprint 404 E University 359-3261
Dom’s Patio Villa (restaurant) 301 S Locust 352-8444
Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant 1407 N Prospect Ave 351-6879
Dragon’s Hoard (jewelry) 124 N Neil 352-2415
Durst Cycle & Fitness 1201 S Mattis Ave 352-3300
El Desmadre (Fiesta Cafe's other place) -- CLOSED 625 E Green St
El Torero (restaurant) 2312 W Springfield Ave 351-7024
El Toro II
Esquire Lounge 106 N Walnut 398-5858
Exile on Main Street (CDs, DVDs, Games) 1 Main Street 398-MAIN
Farron's (Great food and Bar) 308 N Randolph
Fiesta Café (Mexican Food) 216 S First St 352-5902
Finish Point (photo processing, film transfer, etc) 1705 W Kirby 356-1914
Fuad’s (Hair Design) 503 S First 356-0400
Furniture Lounge (Cool used funiture and stuff) 9 E University 352-5150
Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan 108 East Green Street 359-1212
Ginza & Co (florist) 315 E University Ave 352-9120
Glass F/X (Stained Glass) 202 S First 359-0048
G-Mart (comics/graphic novels) 44 E Main St 356-7733
Good Vibes (Audio/Video Equipment) 1501 N Prospect 351-0909
Great Impasta (restaurant) 114 West Church 359-7377
Guido's Bar + Grill 2 Main Street 359-3148
Highdive (tavern/live music) 51 E Main St 256-2337
Home of Gourmet (Chinese/Thai food) 604 E Daniel 344-7483
Homeworks (Habitat for Humanity) - Home Improvement Resale Store
 40 E University 355-6460
Hubers (tavern) 1312 W Church 352-0606
Jackson's Ribs 'n Tips (BBQ, of course) 116 N First St 355-2916
Jane Addams Book Shop 208 N Neil St 356-2555
Jarlings Custard Cup 309 W Kirby 352-2273
Jerusalem Middle Eastern Cuisine 601 South Wright 398-9022
Jim Gould's Dining 1 Main Street
JJ's Luggage & Shoe Repair & Sales 109 S Walnut St 352-0111
Jupiter’s Pizzeria & Billiards 39 E Main St 398-5988
Kamakura Restaurant 715 S Neil St 351-4332l
Kane & Co (Hair Salon & Spa) 41 E University 359-2424
Ko Fusion 1 Main Street
L & L Travel 715 S 6th 344-6001
Le Shoppe 110 E University 398-1520
Lix Clothing and Accesories (closed?)
Lil Porgy’s Bar-B-Que 1917 W Springfield Ave 398-6811
LMNtal Design (graphic design and web sites) 307 N Prairie St #3 390-1972
Los Amigos (Mexican Food) 4th and Green
Manzella’s Italian Patio (restaurant) 115 S First St 352-7624
Margaritas (Mexican Restaurant) 2821B W Kirby 398-9283
Merry Ann’s Diner 1510 South Neil Street 352-5399
Merry Ann's Diner Downtown 1 Main Street
Mike’n’ Molly’s (tavern/live music) 105 N Market St 355-1236
Minecci’s Ristorante 401 S First St 352-4425
Mojos (Posters, T-shirts, etc) 515 E Green
Murphy’s Pub 604 E Green 352-7275
Nic’s Basket Case (gift baskets) 219 N Neil St 373-7926
Old Main Book Shoppe 116 N Walnut 355-6400
Old Vic Art Gallery 11 East University 355-8338
Original Pancake House (this is a chain but it's locally owned and a favorite) 1909 W Springfield 352-8866
Pages for All Ages (bookstore) 1201 Savoy Plaza Lane (Savoy) 351-7243
Papa Del’s Pizza 206 E Green 359-7700
Pekara (Bakery) 116 N Neil St
Peking Garden (Chinese Food) 206 N Randolph 355-8888
Persimmon 115 N Walnut
Pogo Studios (recording studio) 35 Taylor 351-8155
Po-Boy’s Bar-B-Que 58 E Columbia Ave 351-8155
Premiere Sound & Design 1104 N Prospect 355-5300
Preservation and Conservation Association
Radio Maria (restaurant) 119 N Walnut St 398-7729
Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurant 912 W Bloomington Rd 355-2060
Record Swap 114 E University 367-7927
Rick Orr Florist 122 N Walnut St 351-9299
Rocket Retro Chester Street
Rosewood Guitar Shop -- CLOSED 313 E Green St 344-7940
Round Barn Steakhouse -- CLOSED 190 Round Barn Rd 359-9800
Rubens Chocolate Inc 121 W Church St 355-3064
Sam’s Café 115 N Walnut St 352-7102
Sea Boat (fish/chicken sandwiches/dinners) 1114 North Market St 351-6209
Second Story Pizza (formerly Bonnie Jean’s) 901 S 4th Street 239-2001
Serene Bean Cafe -- CLOSED 809 S Fifth (in McKinley Foundation)
Skins and Tin Drum Shop 29 East Main St 352-3786
Spirit Screenprinting 30 East Green Street Ste #3 351-2918
Sun Singer Wine & Spirits 1115 West Windsor 351-1115
Ten Thousand Villages (fair trade gifts) 105 North Walnut 352-8200
That’s Rentertainment (Video/DVD rentals) 516 East John Street 384-0977
UpClose Printing (marketing and printing services) 120 West White Street 359-3200
Viginia Theatre 203 W Park 356-9063
Walnut Street Tea Company 115 South Walnut 351-6975
Weiskamp Screenprinting 312 S Neil 398-8428
Wind, Water & Light (art gallery) Downtown Champaign
Wonderdog (Hot Dogs/Burgers... yum) 603 South Wright
World Harvest International & Gourmet Foods 519 East University Ave 356-4444
Y Eatery (Thai food) 1001 S Wright (in the University YMCA) 344-5040
Ye Olde Donut Shop (and Ye Olde BBQ) 60 East Green 359-3311
Zorba’s (Greek food) 627 East Green 344-0710
Out of Town but close -- within 30 miles or so...
Avon Theatre 426 N. Water, Decatur 422-8151
Bayern Stube-Gasthof (German Restaurant) 209 N Sangamon, Gibson City 784-8304
Beef House (Steak House) just off I-74 in Covington, IN (765) 793-3947
Brown Bag (Sandwiches, salads, etc) 212 W Washington, Monticello 762-9221
Garlic Press 108 North Street, Normal
The Heron (“A Distinctive Downtown Supper Club") 34 North Vermilion Danville 446-8330
Lorraine Theatre Downtown Hoopston
Main Street Pub 113 W Main, Monticello 762-9414
Montgomery's on the Square (Restaurant) 108 South Charter, Monticello 762-3833
Normal Theatre Downtown Normal
Philo Tavern (in Philo)
Pink House (Tavern) 49 & 150, Ogden
Prairie Fire Glass 217 W Washington, Monticello 762-3332
Prairie Fruits Farm (Goat Cheese and more) (get directions from their web site) 643-2314
Princess Theatre Leroy
Sadorus Grill (Tavern/restaurant) Sadorus
Sleepy Creek Vineyards 8254 E 1425 North Road, Fairmount 733-0330
Independent Media in Champaign-Urbana 
The Buzz Magazine (part of the DI) www.readbuzz.com
Independent Media Center www.ucimc.org
Innocent Words www.innocentwords.com
Micro-Film www.micro-film-magazine.com
Opening Bands www.openingbands.com
Prairie Flame www.prairieflame.biz
Public-I publici.ucimc.org
Smile Politely: A Champaign Urbana Culture Blog www.smilepolitely.com  
WEFT (Community Radio since 1981) www.weft.org 359-9338
Blogs and websites of local interest...
Champaign-Taste Cooking and eating in Central-Illinois
More Champaign Taste Recipes, Restaurant Reports, Special Events
Little Blog on the Prairie A little bit of everything about C-U and surrounding areas
   
R.I.P.: Some local businesses have (sadly) gone out of business. Here are a few that I will miss: Acres of Books, Bubby's & Zadies, Coslow's, Daily Grind, Deluxe Billiards (and their awesome fish sandwich), Elite Diner, Horizan Books, Little Professor Book Store, Mabel's, Nature's Table, Record Service, Schrumpf's Grocery (where we are now), (the cafe at) Strawberry Fields, Treno's, Trito's Uptown, Village Green Records and that cool bookstore that used to be in the basement of the University YMCA on Wright Street romantically called "The Used Book Store". (NOTE: I just heard from Robert, the man who opened "The Used Book Store" in 1971. He started it with a $50 grant from the U of I Student Senate. Very cool.)
TIME TRAVEL: I found this old map of campustown that I made back in 1986 -- have a look.
NOTE: This is not a complete list. If you know of additions (or, unfortunately, subtractions) please e-mail me. I have only listed locally owned non-franchise businesses. Please support your locally owned businesses wherever you are.
Other Useful Urbana-Champaign Links...
40 North 88 West (Arts Council)
Champaign County Chamber or Commerce
Big.Small.All.ChampaignCounty (a project to build a vision of Champaign County's future)
Downtown Champaign Association
Lincoln Square Village
WUNA (West Urbana Neighborhood Association) has posted a nice list of area contractors. Have a look if you need some work done.
More Miscellaneous Stuff...
Click here to read Lori Kae Schwab's letter to the editor about Starbuck's coming to campus.
WalmartWatch - In Spring 2005, Wal-Mart Watch began its nationwide public education campaign to challenge the world’s largest retailer to become a better employer, neighbor, and corporate citizen.
Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price premiered on November 13th, 2005 at various independent venues (including meeting halls, coffee shops, book stores, etc) all over the country. Locally there were at least half a dozen screenings including one at the University YMCA and another at Rentertainment. (more)
Local Harvest - The best organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use the Local Harvest website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
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