Finally.

After more than a decade vacant, the former Lox, Stock and Bagel space in downtown Champaign will be remodeled, and a new business is expected to open there by the end of the year.

Two native Watseka brothers are planning to open a bar, called Quality Beer, in the space.

This is the first venture into bar ownership for Aaron and Neil Van Natta. No opening date has been set yet, but Aaron Van Natta said he would like to open it by the end of the year. The two recently applied for a building permit to remodel the space. The estimated cost of renovation was listed at $190,000, according to the permit issued.

Van Natta said the interior will look "rustic modern."

"It will be a straightforward bar," he said.

No food is planned to be served – just beer, liquor and wine.

The building, at 110 N. Neil St., is about 2,700 square feet.

The two decided about two years ago they wanted to open a bar.

"We knew we liked the downtown area. We liked the location and the way it's laid out, with two separate rooms and a hallway connecting them," Van Natta said.

Shaved-ice stand

Attention, fans of icy treats: Your options for indulging in your cravings have expanded.

Three local entrepreneurs opened a Hawaiian Ice concession stand on North Prospect Avenue in Champaign on Wednesday.

"It's shaved ice, so instead of crushed ice, it's more like snow," said one of the owners, Sandra Ahten of Urbana. Her partners include her son, Kyle Ahten, and their friend, Farron Velles.

Ahten said shaved ice holds flavors better, and the flavored syrup does not run into the bottom of the cups.

They will have about 25 flavors to choose from, including a coffee-flavored Hawaiian ice made with real coffee. In addition to frozen treats made with sugar, they'll have five zero-calorie, zero-fat flavors. And if you prefer natural flavorings, they can flavor the ice with pomegranate syrup or red grape juice.

Treats run from $1.89 to $5.

The idea for the business came about three weeks ago.

"Once we started investigating, it looked like a real good opportunity, and we needed to move fast," she said.

The concession trailer, decorated in flowers and other tropical fare, is at 1104 N. Prospect Ave., at the southeast corner of Bradley and Prospect avenues. It is open from noon to 9 p.m. daily through September.

Even though the business is in a mobile trailer, Ahten said they don't have any plans to sell at festivals. Every day throughout the season, they'll be at their Prospect Avenue location.

"Our strategy is to stay in the same place," she said.

And more frozen treats

For those of you who can't get enough cold stuff, check out Tolono's new ice cream shop.

The Double Dip, at 307 N. Long St., on U.S. 45, opened Friday. They're dishing out four different flavors of soft-serve ice cream as well as milkshakes, sundaes and "blasties," their version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard.

They've also got hot fare such as hot dogs, french fries and tamales.

"I never ever thought of running a business of any sort," said Unity High School basketball coach Jarrett Brown, who is, in fact, running the business along with Tom Kimball, Unity's assistant basketball coach, and their friend and Tolono area resident Randy McFall.

"It's been a learning process, and it looks like it will be rewarding too," Brown said.

The owners started considering the idea of an ice cream shop in late August or early September last year, Brown said.

"Randy (McFall) talked about remembering when Tolono used to have an ice cream shop years ago and how much of a gathering place it was for the kids in the community. The more we talked about it, the more we became interested in it," Brown said.

The Double Dip is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Hours may vary according to what activities are going on in town. The shop will be open from about April or May through late September or early October, depending on weather.

Are you opening a new business or changing an existing business? Christine des Garennes can be reached by phone at 351-5388 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.