CHAMPAIGN — Village Inn Pizza plans to move to the former TK Wendl's site in Urbana in early November, its managing partner says.

For 46 years, Village Inn Pizza has been at the southwest corner of Springfield and Mattis avenues in Champaign.

But managing partner John Rinkenberger Jr. said its last day at that location will be Oct. 31.

"This was not an easy decision for us, but due to increasing operating and overhead costs at the current location, we had to look at other options," he stated in a release.

Po' Boys BBQ and Pizza, which has been occupying the TK Wendl's building at 1901 S. High Cross Road, U, announced in July that it plans to move to the Gateway Shoppes at Five Points this fall.

That shopping center is at the northwest corner of University and Cunningham avenues in Urbana.

Rinkenberger said Village Inn Pizza, a family-owned business, has leased the entire TK Wendl's complex.

"After 46 years, Village Inn is going back to its roots with a high-profile softball venue" and cornfields nearby, he said.

He noted that when Village Inn opened in Champaign in 1965, it had cornfields to its west.

"In addition, we are excited about providing space for other outdoor activities, including sand volleyball, large-group gatherings and cookouts and mini-concerts on the patio," he said.

The new location will including a dining room separate from a pub area. Village Inn will also have a private room with bar and seating for up to 80 people for family events, small-company events, reunions, birthday parties and other occasions.

There will be an area for kids' games. Plus, there will be themed nights for karaoke, music and comedian improvisation, euchre parties and bag tournaments.

Hours are expected to be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for food and pizza, with the pub remaining open until 1 a.m. The restaurant plans to continue to offer its $6.99 lunch buffet Sunday through Friday.

Before Village Inn closes at Springfield and Mattis, the restaurant is planning several promotional activities in October.