Trend Spotting

In my first and final attempt at a Jerry Seinfeld impersonation …

What’s the deal with all these Campustown places opening satellite operations elsewhere in town?

First it was Za’s, which smartly franchised another operation on West Springfield Ave. The original place is packed even on a Sunday night in the summer.

Then there was Espresso Royale, the coffehouse chain expanding operations first to a Neil Street operation and later to a Southwest Champaign retail center … where Papa Del’s will be opening another pizza paradise sometime in the fall; the opening date has been pushed back several times.

Now there is Gameday Spirit, the rah-rah hub for orange and blue rags and trinkets, which will open an “outlet” store on West Springfield this week … down the street from where Junior’s, a Campustown burger-and-fries joint, plans to join forces with Cozy’s Custard.

See the pattern?

In old business:
– Here’s what I know about the deli: the Greek proprietor has been sniffing around the Jewish community for months, asking people for recipes, etc. The location is on Main Street in Urbana, either next to or a couple doors down from The Office.
– Kudos to Lisa of Champaign Taste, for her scoop on Sun Singer. Lisa says the wine shop/deli/wine bar will be opening a full service restaurant in the near future. Good news for my tummy, too.
– Thanks to everyone who participated in Amy’s C-U challenge.