CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Champaign County’s business landscape is continuing to evolve in 2025 and heading into 2026, with new restaurants and national chains opening their doors even as several longtime local favorites and national brands have closed.
Business openings in Champaign County (2025–2026)
Dutch Bros Coffee
- Status: Open (December 2025)
- Location: Green Street and Lincoln Avenue, Urbana
- Details: First Dutch Bros location in Central Illinois. The Oregon-based drive-thru coffee chain drew heavy traffic during opening week, with cars lining up onto nearby streets.
- What’s next: A second Champaign County Dutch Bros is planned for Neil Street, replacing the former Bob Evans.
Big Sharks
- Status: Open (December 2025)
- Location: 1217 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign
- Details: Fast-casual fish and chicken restaurant opened in the former Long John Silver’s space. Menu includes fried fish, chicken, shrimp, burgers, and Philly steak sandwiches.
- Notable: Immediate popularity and a resurfaced parking lot at the long-troubled site.
Blind Pig
- Status: Open (July 2025)
- Location: 301 N. Neil St., Champaign
- Details: Brewpub and restaurant occupying the former Destihl space in downtown Champaign. Offers pizzas, burgers, salads, appetizers, and more than 20 Blind Pig beers.
- Hours: Vary by day, with some dinner-only service.
Sumo Kitchen
- Status: Open (September 2025)
- Location: 2017 S. Neil St., Champaign
- Details: Japanese restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, tempura, and hot and cold plates. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
- Context: Took over the former Moki Sushi location.
Mashawee House
- Status: Open (July 2025)
- Location: 306 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana (inside Strawberry Fields)
- Details: Middle Eastern menu featuring shawarma, kabobs, skewers, wings, and lamb chops, all made to order.
- Context: Part of broader changes following new ownership at Strawberry Fields.
Royal Donut
- Status: Open (Nov. 11, 2025)
- Location: 1105 Windsor Road, Champaign
- Details: Traditional donut shop replacing Pandemonium Doughnuts. Known for classic donuts with a strong following from its Danville roots.
- Note: No drive-through.
Blue Ethiopian
- Status: Expected to open late 2025 / early 2026
- Location: 117 N. Walnut Ave., Champaign
- Details: Highly anticipated Ethiopian restaurant focused on authentic recipes and fresh, local ingredients. Menu includes stews and sautéed dishes with beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and vegetarian options.
- Community buzz: Frequently cited as one of the most desired cuisines in the area.
SangEat
- Status: Expected to open winter 2025–26
- Location: 1905 S. Neil St., Champaign
- Details: Upscale Indian restaurant transforming the former Oberweis/That Burger Joint space. Planned lunch and dinner service, with strong interest in a potential lunch buffet.
Spitfire Chicken
- Status: Coming soon (2026)
- Location: 2510 Village Green Place, Champaign
- Details: Flame-roasted rotisserie chicken with sauces, dry rubs, soups, and sides.
- Context: Opening in a space that has seen several previous restaurant closures.
Chophouse on Main
- Status: Planned opening in 2026
- Location: Former Guido’s space, downtown Champaign
- Details: Steakhouse concept from CRS Hospitality, relocating after closing its Mahomet location earlier in 2025.
Business closings in Champaign County (2025)
Guido’s Bar & Grill
- Closed: Nov. 30, 2025
- Location: Downtown Champaign
- Impact: Widely credited with helping spark the modern downtown dining scene in the early 2000s.
- What’s next: Space to be taken over by Chophouse on Main.
Papa Del’s / Pie’s the Limit / tea shop (multiple past closures)
- Former location: 2510 Village Green Place, Champaign (The Crossing)
- What’s opening: Spitfire Chicken
- Status: Announced, opening TBD
- Notes: Long-challenged location gets a new rotisserie chicken concept.
Timpone’s Restaurant
- Closing: Dec. 20, 2025
- Location: Downtown Champaign
- Impact: A longtime fine-dining staple known for Italian cuisine and special-occasion meals.
- Future: No replacement announced.
Epic Burger
- Closed: September 2025
- Location: Champaign
- Details: Closed about a year after opening in the former Meatheads space.
- Future: Maize Mexican Grill opening in 2026.
Slim Chickens
- Closed: September 2025
- Location: South Neil Street, Champaign
- Details: Operated for roughly 10 years before closing amid intense competition in the fast-casual chicken market.
- Future: No replacement announced.
Bob Evans
- Closed: October 2025
- Location: Neil Street, Champaign
- Details: National chain struggled amid increased breakfast competition.
- What’s next: Site slated for a future Dutch Bros Coffee location.
Health Alliance Medical Plans
- Status: Ceasing operations by early 2026
- Impact: Major employer in Champaign County; closure expected to affect hundreds of jobs locally.
- Significance: One of the most impactful business exits in the region in recent years.
Closures with no replacement announced (as of now)
- Timpone’s Ristorante (closing Dec. 20, 2025) — no successor announced
- Epic Burger — space unannounced
- Slim Chickens (S. Neil St.) — no redevelopment announced
Former vacant space at Strawberry Fields (ownership change)
- Location: 306 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
- What’s opening: Mashawee House
- Status: Opened July 2025
- Notes: Middle Eastern cuisine added after property transition.
Together, the openings and closings reflect both the challenges and momentum facing Champaign County businesses. While rising costs and competition continue to pressure some establishments, new investment and a growing interest in diverse dining options are reshaping the county’s commercial landscape heading into the new year.
