Like barbecue? If so, downtown Urbana may soon have a place for you.

Mike Cochran and Pedro Heller plan to open the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House in the former Tod & John's tavern space at 201 N. Broadway Ave.

"We're going to do barbecue with a wood-fire smoker and wood-fire grill, and a rotisserie on the grill," said Cochran, who worked at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign for 15 years and was known to patrons as "Neighbor."

He's also planning to carry ales from smaller breweries in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, he said.

Cochran hasn't determined an opening date yet. He had hoped to open in early December, but now it looks as if it will be January.

"We'll keep doing breakfast," he said, adding that he hopes to retain a couple cooks and at least one bartender from the Tod & John's staff.

The restaurant will also offer sandwiches and entrees, with lunches probably topping out at $8 and dinner prices no higher than $20, he said.

Cochran said he and Heller, who continues to work at the Esquire, talked about the idea of a barbecue place for about a year. Then they heard John Messman, who operated Tod & John's for 30 years, might entertain an offer.

When Cochran inquired, Messman told him, "The place has been for sale since I walked in the door."

Since Tod & John's closed on Nov. 3, Cochran has been busy, cleaning and painting the place and taking down the barn siding inside.

What's the tale of the Black Dog name? Cochran said it stems from the fact he and his wife, Kim, have a couple black dogs. When they enrolled in a dog training class, they were known as "Team Black."

Techline plans changes

Watch for changes at the Techline furniture store, 24 E. Green St., C, in the coming year.

Christine Breen, who owns the store with her husband, Paul, said they plan to reduce its space at Green Street Plaza from 10,000 square feet to 7,500 square feet.

"We'll still have 1,200 square feet of showroom," she said, with the remaining area to be used for storage and shop space. Breen said she plans to keep some displays and sell off others, offering customers discounts on those.

"We're not changing our product line," Breen said, adding that Techline will still sell desks, cabinets, tables, bookcases and other furniture for both home and office.

The Breens have operated the Techline store since 1983.

Neuhoff plans to buy stations

Neuhoff Communications plans to buy five area radio stations, including WCZQ-FM, from Tom Joyner of Joyner Radio, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

The purchase would include four Decatur stations – WSOY-AM, WSOY-FM, WDZQ-FM and WDZ-AM – as well as WCZQ-FM, billed as a Monticello/Champaign station. All five operate from offices in Decatur.

Neuhoff already owns three radio stations in Danville (WDAN-AM, WDNL-FM and WRHK-FM) and four radio stations in Springfield, plus three TV stations in Twin Falls, Idaho.

In an interview last week from Jupiter, Fla., Neuhoff Communications President Geoffrey Neuhoff said he doesn't anticipate any changes in the stations' format or staffing. He said he gives general managers autonomy over day-to-day decisions and hopes Mark Hanson continues as general manager for the Decatur stations.

Neuhoff said he's satisfied with WCZQ's ratings in the Champaign and Decatur markets.

"I'm the last person who would want to change that pattern of success," he said. "WCZQ holds an important spot in the fabric of Decatur's community."

The station calls its format "blazin' hip-hop and R&B."

Neuhoff lived in Springfield from 1982 to 1992, first managing and then acquiring the Springfield stations. He then bought the Danville stations before moving to Chicago and later to Florida. He sold the Springfield stations to Clear Channel Communications before buying them back about a year ago.

"I've always been very impressed with the Decatur stations," he said. "I never thought I'd have the chance to purchase them and add them to our group," he said.

The application was filed with the FCC in mid-December, and the commission generally takes about 45 days to act, he said.

"I'm hoping we can close the transaction and transfer the license around March 1," he added.

The Decatur stations have had several owners in the last five years, Neuhoff said.

"This is the last sale (that) people will see in a long time," he said. "I hope Neuhoff Communications earns their trust and respect."

It's your business

Debra Pressey's "It's Your Business" column will return Jan. 4.