Thorntons is planning to open another gas station and convenience store in the Champaign-Urbana area.

A building permit was recently issued in Champaign for $750,000 of work at the site of the former Kirby Tire & Service Center at 101 S. Mattis Ave.

The store is expected to open by the end of December, according to company spokesman Jill Ogburn.

Thorntons currently operates a gas station at 101 Burwash Ave., Savoy.

Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons is in the midst of an expansion plan that calls for 10 new stations around the Midwest in the next 2 1/2 years. In addition to the Champaign store, more stations are planned in Chicago and Nashville, Tenn.

The chain operates stores in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and Connecticut.

Jewelry store update

As reported previously, Tim Twedt closed his jewelry shop, T.Kelly Jewelers, earlier this summer. The longtime local jeweler decided to close the store, located in the One Main building in downtown Champaign, for health reasons.

Turns out the space is still going to house a jewelry shop.

Mark Peckham, who once was a jeweler for K's Merchandise Mart and has worked for local jewelers around the area for years, has signed a lease with One Main Development for his store, Miagallo.

"It will be a full-service jewelry store with a slicker look," he said.

Peckham wants to create a "living-room" or "salon-type" atmosphere in the store. For example, many jewelry stores may have a plain stool in front of a bridal case, but Peckham is aiming for "techno-slick chairs at my bridal case," he said.

He'll have fine art, including sculptures, on view, and he is considering displaying a three-dimensional, blue neon diamond in the store.

"I want to create a whole new kind of jewelry store," he said.

Peckham said he will carry engagement rings and other fine jewelry and custom jewelry. He plans to offer restorations and remounts, and a line of jewelry inspired by the work of local artist Frank Gallo. He also wants to offer larger stones "with perfect proportions."

A mid-September to early October opening is planned.

Promo of note

Guys, if you have suits, ties or belts that don't fit you anymore, bring them to the Men's Wearhouse, 762 West Town Center Blvd., C.

The company is holding a national suit drive during September. The suits will eventually go to men who are re-entering the work force and need professional clothing.

Men's Wearhouse will donate one tie for every suit donated. Donors will receive a 10 percent discount coupon.

The store will accept gently used suits, dress shirts, sport coats, slacks, ties, belts and shoes.

"It became apparent many years ago that there was a long-standing need to help men who are striving for self-sufficiency," George Zimmer, CEO and chairman of Men's Wearhouse, said in a statement.

The company had started a program to provide professional clothing to nonprofit organizations, but the program could not keep up with demand.

The company's suit drive last year – the first time it was held – collected 125,000 items from around the country within two months.

The goal this year is to collect 150,000 items during the one-month collection period.

"The suit may not necessarily make the man, but if you talk to one of the thousands of men who received a suit last year from our inaugural suit drive, they'll say it definitely made a difference in their confidence. I guarantee it," Zimmer said in the written statement.

More information is available at www.nationalsuitdrive.com.

New location for shop

Pipe Dreams Plus has changed locations again, this time closer to the University of Illinois campus. The store is now at 307 S. Locust St., C. It previously was in the Royal Plaza in Champaign.

"We have a bigger store and we now have a bigger variety," said owner Frank Lipousky.

He sells cigars, pipe tobacco, pipes and other tobacco-related items. What's new: lingerie, adult toys, plus rentals and sales of DVDs. The store, which can be reached at 351-3001, is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Save the date

Insana Development will host the "Ultimate Green Showcase" at its planned subdivision northeast of Urbana next month.

The event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at 3001 Brickhouses Road.

The event that Sunday will include a tour of the Insanas' recently built home.

The home features a photovoltaic solar roof, geothermal system, epoxy terrazzo and polished concrete flooring and other green building features.

As part of the showcase, the Insanas will offer a 10 percent discount for the seven lots for sale in the subdivision for one month. They're also offering a special on solar roofs.

Several of the couple's contractors will be on hand to talk about their work and their products. Admission is free, but the UI solar decathlon team will be collecting donations to help pay for their entry in this year's contest in Washington D.C.

More information is available at www.brickhousesroad.com.

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.