It's Your Business: Rantoul's Main Scoop location set to open

Email business news to Jana Wiersema at jwiersema@news-gazette.com.

The Main Scoop’s Rantoul location could open later this month

A local ice cream shop that continues to grow is looking at late May as a possible opening date for its fourth location.

The Main Scoop hopes to open its Rantoul shop, located at 812 Broadmeadow Road, at the end of the month, said co-owner Jessica Hanson.

“We’re kind of leaving it a little open-ended right now,” she said. “Just because, as you can imagine, there are just some things that we’ve got to get finished up with the health department and contractors.”

The Main Scoop also has shops in Mahomet, Monticello and Urbana. The business began to consider Rantoul soon after opening the Monticello shop in May 2023, Hanson said.

One of the main attractions was the traffic generated from the Rantoul Family Sports Complex, which is less than a mile away from the new shop.

“There is an entire community there that’s rallied around us in Rantoul,” Hanson added.

“They’ve been very welcoming and warm. We’re really excited to bring a local ice cream shop to an area that was really set up for national brands and just be able to be there for all of the things that happen in Rantoul. The growth there has been really fun to see.”

Hanson added that the Main Scoop has purchased a concessions trailer that they plan to take to local events and are working with the health department to get it up and running. They have also partnered with UIUC to serve ice cream at football, basketball, volleyball and baseball games.

“We feel like it’s really important to be involved in the communities,” she said. “… We really want to be that hometown ice cream shop.”

Meatheads to Epic Burger conversion slated for mid-summer

It will be a little longer before the Meatheads at 1305 S. Neil St. switches over to an Epic Burger.

Epic Burger CEO David Grossman said that over the past couple of months, the company has converted three Meatheads into Epic Burger restaurants.

“With the summer coming, we've chosen to move a little slower and give the team a breather,” he said. “The two collegiate town openings, Bloomington Normal and Champaign, will happen by mid-summer. Can’t wait to welcome the students when they return in the fall.”

Monticello sports bar sets final day

FieldHouse 219, 219 W. Washington St., will have its final day in business on May 11.

Business owner Michelle Murphy said in a previous interview that the property was recently purchased by a new owner, who is not renewing their lease.

FieldHouse 219 is inviting customers to come to the bar on May 11 to say their goodbyes.

Additionally, there will be a liquidation sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19.

All sales will be cash only and must be paid on-site.

Danville law firm receives renovation grant

Downtown Danville Inc. has awarded a $5,000 interior improvement grant to Hussmann Rogers Law, LLC.

The firm, located at 48 N. Vermilion St., specializes in family law, personal injury and juvenile criminal law. The grant helped fund new flooring for the business.

“Liya Hussmann Rogers, owner operator of the firm and Secretary of Downtown Danville Inc. has long been an advocate for small businesses in the area,” Downtown Danville officials said.

“Her commitment to downtown revitalization and active involvement in community events exemplify the spirit of our organization.”

Clark Dietz announces merger, expands to fifth state

Clark Dietz, Inc., an engineering firm with headquarters in Champaign, has acquired RS Engineering, LLC of Lansing, Mich. The merger expands Clark Dietz’s reach to its fifth state, in addition to offices in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

“RS Engineering, LLC, a Clark Dietz Company, will continue to provide quality services dedicated to its long-standing client base, before fully adopting the Clark Dietz brand and moniker at a future date,” company officials said.