Nov. 20 – A new venture called the Well World Center will open early next year in the Elliott Counseling Group building at 309 W. Clark St., C.
The center will lease offices and meeting rooms to wellness providers such as massage therapists, life coaches, reiki practitioners, acupuncture, reflexology and others, according to Sandra Achten, CEO of Elliott Counseling Group and head of the new center.
Elliott Counseling Group accepts clients in its Urbana and Mattoon offices, and about half of clients still request virtual visits, Achten said. That left the Clark Street building free to be repurposed, she said.
Wellness businesses, self-help groups and nonprofits looking for a collaborative environment can rent rooms or join membership plans starting at $150 per month.
Achten said networking events will be held at the center so those renting spaces can get to know each other.
One stop service and give
The Champaign Center Partnership offers a way to purchase gift cards to local businesses and/or donate to local charities on one website. The champaigncenter.com website has dozens of gift card options for local food and beverage establishments, stores and other businesses, as well as giving opportunities for nine local charities.
Gift card and donation options range from $10 to $200.
Gift cards that have been ordered will be bundled and shipped to shoppers in five to seven business days, according to the organization.
New to Gifford
Dollar General has opened its new store at 2314 County Road 3000 N in Gifford.
Items include food, cleaning supplies, paper products, over-the-counter medications, hygiene products, baby items, and more.
“In addition to the national and private label products that customers trust at Dollar General, the new Gifford’s location features the company’s new stylish modern home decor and expanded party prep selection,” the company said.
Tennessee-based Dollar General said the store is expected to employ six to 10 people, who will be paid competitive wages. Eligible employees receive benefit options including health insurance, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement and paid parental leave.
The company is also inviting nonprofits and libraries within a 15-mile radius of the new store to apply for Dollar General Literacy Foundation grants.
Over 10,000 lights in Arcola
Aikman Wildlife Adventure in Arcola, a zoo with more than 100 free-roaming animals, is once again offering its Holiday Season Pathway of Lights from 4:00pm to 8:00pm every Saturday through December 30th.
For this sixth annual event, more than 10,000 lights were placed around the grounds at 125 N County Road 425E, Arcola.
The Trail of Lights includes lighted walk-through displays, lighted wagon rides, a museum of prehistoric life, the Nativity story on billboards throughout the park, hot food and drinks, and winter guided tours.
The suggested donation is $5 and all proceeds will go to help care for the animals through the winter.
Danville store receives subsidy
Lima Bean Glassworks and Gifts at 145 N. Vermilion St., Danville, received a $5,000 grant from Downtown Danville Inc.
The money will be used to restore the building, specifically fixing water damage in the back room, according to owner Susan Hayes. Everything else will go toward some paint touch-ups, she said.
“This building was purchased at a time when the building was in relatively poor condition,” said Annie Monyock, executive director of Downtown Danville Inc. “The investment made in this renovation is what will allow this building and the Lima Bean to be a staple in our downtown for years to come.”
Hayes bought the building in 2019 to convert it into her fused glass studio, and she opened a shop for her work and other gift items the following year, according to Downtown Danville Inc. The store also has stained glass and blown glass, Hayes said.
State aid for business
Illinois is providing $25 million in grants to businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This latest Back to Business (B2B) money is available to new businesses launched between January 2020 and December 2021 that are deemed to be in a hard-hit sector.
This includes hotels, restaurants and bars, arts and arts education organizations, service providers and arts organizations, clothing and electronics retailers, dry cleaning and laundry, home health services, childcare providers, barbers and salons, indoor recreation, gyms and fitness centers, tourism and group transportation, except for taxis, limousines or carpools, spectator support services and social events, museums and movie theater operators.
The application process begins on November 30 and will continue until January 11, 2024.