Steve Smith always figured the retail spaces on Champaign's North Prospect Avenue were just too pricey for his family-owned store.

But the recession had a silver lining in it for him: A vacant space became available at an affordable leasing rate – and right between two big chain retailers, Lowes and Target.

Smith, one of the operators of WildCountry, an outdoor gear store at 109 W. John St., C, will be moving to the former Dollar Tree space at 2012 N. Prospect Ave. later this spring.

Smith is aiming to have the space remodeled and ready to open by about Memorial Day weekend, he said.

"It's the chance of a lifetime to get a spot that good, and it's affordable now because I'm paying less than I would have a year ago," he said.

The store's current location has been fine, Smith said, but the business needs the boost of a higher-traffic area to stay afloat in a shrinking market for outdoor gear.

It's not just the recession, either. When he was a kid, Smith recalled, kids used to play outside and many grew up loving camping, skiing and hiking. But that generation is aging, and young people today have way too many entertainment options indoors to be interested in tents and sleeping bags.

"Nowadays, you've got 24-hour entertainment in the house," he said.

The new store space will be smaller than the current one, but the store will still sell an array of winter sports gear such as snowboards, skis, ice skates and hockey equipment, along with kayaks and camping and backpacking essentials.

A business sideline, Midwest Diving Specialists, will also move to the new location and continue offering diving instruction, trips and gear, Smith said.

Restaurant changing hands

The Fuentes family, the operators of El Toro restaurants, have taken over the premises of Margarita's at 1717 S. Philo Road, U, and will be opening a new restaurant there called La Fiesta.

The former Margarita's needs a lot of remodeling, so it will be a few months before it can open, said owner Martin Fuentes.

La Fiesta will have a menu similar to El Toro, but it will be a new venture run by his nephew, Luis Gonzales, his niece, Anna Fuentes, and his daughter, Berenice Fuentes, Martin Fuentes said.

Summer hours

Ignore that chilly spring weather: Marble Slab Creamery at the Savoy Plaza is back on summer hours.

It is now open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Help Goodwill

The Champaign Bergner's store at Market Place Mall is hosting one of its two annual used clothing and household item drives to benefit Goodwill.

Just bring your donations to the store through March 24, and for each item you bring, you get a discount coupon off a new merchandise item.

The first day, this past Wednesday, was a big success, store manager Jim Lilli said.

"People know when it is, and they save up for us," he said.

Bergner's parent company, Bon-Ton Stores, has been holding its Goodwill sales since 1994, and this year added a new Web site to track donations, hear from customers and get further discounts. You can find the Web site at www.millionactsofgoodwill.com.

Thanks and goodbye

Dear readers: This has been my final week writing this column. News-Gazette reporter Christine des Garennes will be taking it over starting next Sunday, and I will be focusing all my time on health and medical stories.

I've enjoyed meeting so many interesting people who find business opportunities in everything from dog-washing to candy-making, and hearing from the many observant readers who spot things out in the community and want to know about them.

Thank you for reading your community newspaper, and please keep your tips and questions coming to Christine!

Are you opening a new business or changing something at your existing business? Christine des Garennes can be reached by phone at 351-5229 or 800-252-3346; by e-mail 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.