A building in DeLand that was once a meat locker is now filled with bargain merchandise and open to shoppers a few days a month.

BarnYard Treasures, 200 N. Highway Ave., DeLand, has relocated from a barn on the owner's property in White Heath to a renovated 1910 building.

"We buy merchandise from around the country by semi loads. We bring it in, sort it and sell it. What's unique about our place is each month there's something different. It's not your normal thrift shop or resale shop," said owner Jim Naylor.

Among the items he sells: sporting goods, lawn and garden supplies, camping supplies, health and beauty products, clothing and toys.

"In this economy, everybody is looking for a good deal," Naylor said. Because he buys so many items and multiples of items, he can sell a new pair of Wrangler or Levi's jeans for about $5, for example.

"I want to move volume," he added.

The White Heath resident who has worked in the construction and trucking industries got started in the business by holding occasional sales in a barn on his property.

After he was laid off from his job in transportation, he shifted the business to a full-time occupation.

Over the last several months, he renovated the DeLand building to make the interior feel like a barn, with plywood walls, concrete floor and wooden tables and benches. He's also installed new wiring, plumbing, replaced the rafters and more.

The sales will be held on the third Friday and Saturday of the month. Hours are roughly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. He just held the first sale in the new place this weekend.

"Both days are jam-packed and full of people," said Naylor, who estimates 500 to 600 people come through on a sale weekend.

There are no admission fees.

Naylor can be reached at 649-0463 and via the BarnYard Treasures Facebook page.

Gallery now open

Mike and Maureen Holtz recently opened the Red House Gallery at 315 W. Washington St. in Monticello.

The red-painted brick house, once home to the Piatt County Museum, features photographs and books, including "Robert Allerton: The Private Man & The Public Gifts" by Martha Burgin and Maureen Holtz and photography by Michael Holtz; and "Allerton's Paradises" by Maureen and Michael Holtz. Both were published by The News-Gazette.

The gallery is two blocks west of the Monticello square. It's open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month and during special events. The owners can be reached at 762-8248 or redhousegallery@yahoo.com.

Rantoul eatery

Nora Judge recently purchased the Tea Cup Cafe, 124 E. Sangamon Ave., Rantoul, from John Lux, and is planning a few changes to the downtown cafe.

One of the changes planned is to open earlier and begin baking breakfast foods like egg casseroles and frittatas beginning April 25.

"Everything will be made from scratch," she said.

Beginning Mother's Day weekend, she will offer Sunday brunches by reservation.

Also, she's painted and redecorated a bit.

"It's still very Victorian, just a little airier and more spacious-looking," Judge said.

Every day the restaurant has a daily special, and she intends to continue with that.

In the past, the cafe has offered just lunch. After April 25, the new hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Brunch will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays by reservation.

"I absolutely adore cooking. To be able to get up every day and cook and feed people it's a blast," she said.

She plans an open house from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21, and will have some food samples on hand for customers. The cafe can be reached at 893-8450.

Store renovations

The Champaign Toys "R" Us, 40 E. Anthony Drive, will undergo a renovation in coming months and be remade into a store that will include, side by side, both Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us under one roof.

The company has been combining the two stores under one roof for five years, according to company spokeswoman Katelyn DeRogatis.

The Urbana Walmart, 100 S. High Cross Road, recently celebrated a grand reopening, debuting the results of a two-month remodeling project at the store.

The changes include an expanded layout, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting and easy-to-read signs, according to the company.

There's a new jewelry department located next to family clothing, an expanded electronics department and an expanded section of party supplies, greeting cards, balloons and more. An additional 7,000 products are now available at the store.

Christine des Garennes can be reached by phone at 351-5388 or 800-252-3346; by email at cgarenne@news-gazette.com; or by regular mail at The News-Gazette, c/o It's Your Business column, P.O. Box 677, Champaign, IL 61824-0677.