For Kaula Fitzsimmons, necessity was the mother of invention — or, more specifically, the spark for a new business.
Fitzsimmons, who is a photographer, couldn’t find any studios that she could rent out for shoots within a 30-minute drive, so she developed her own.
However, The Ember Room — located at 805 S. Neil St. in Champaign — has evolved into more than just a space that she and other shutterbugs can use for photo ops.
The industrial loft also serves as a venue for small events — including micro weddings, which Fitzsimmons said are “becoming a trend kind of all over the country.”
“I’ve modeled the types of events that I want to have based off of a few places in Texas,” she said. “… They are running truly micro events. And when I say micro, it’s like up to 36 people max, including the couple that’s getting married. And it’s usually max six hours from start to finish, including getting ready, including photography, all of that. So it’s very short, very small for the people, and it includes everything. So basically, you just have to bring your attire and get married, and we take care of everything else.”
The Ember Room shared on social media that its micro wedding package is limited to 30 guests at the most.
Fitzsimmons is currently planning a wedding shoot with Herriott’s to better show off how the space can be transformed for a couple’s big day.
In addition to the studio, there’s also a grassy outdoor space outside of Bacon & Van Buskirk Glass Co. that can be used for wedding ceremonies and photo shoots, she noted.
As far as interest goes, Fitzsimmons said that several people have reached out about renting The Ember Room for photo shoots this winter.
“Inside spaces aren’t as popular right now, but I do have a waitlist already for Christmastime,” she said.
She’s also heard from some people who want more information once the wedding photoshoot is finished and have expressed interest in using the space in 2027.
Fitzsimmons also plans to host small, acoustic concerts.
New business now open at former Hardee’s
Blend & Brew, a liquor store and coffee shop, opened at 309 N. Market St. on Memorial Day. The business said on Facebook that it is just focusing on its retail portion for now, with the rest of its offerings coming in a couple of weeks.
Blend & Brew has a drive-thru and is set up similar to a convenience store inside, including a large beer cave. The establishment plans to offer “premium coffee” during the day and “specialized spirits nightly.” A menu shared on the store’s Facebook page also features breakfast, lunch, milkshakes, dirty sodas, smoothies and energy drinks.
New foundation aims to bolster economic activity
Local organizers have announced the launch of the Monticello Community Foundation, a new 501©(3) aimed at preserving the area’s quality of life “by growing and leveraging private philanthropy that can be directed to projects tied to Monticello’s economic strength.”
“The economic vitality of a small town like Monticello comes, primarily, from retail sales and property taxes,” said founding board member John Corley. “The Monticello Community Foundation was established to create a fund that can help the small businesses that are the economic engine of Monticello. Whether that is through grants or simply sharing expertise, the goal of the Foundation will be to help Monticello thrive.”
Initiatives could include seed money, grants for local businesses seeking to grow, or donations to projects that “encourage economic activity,” officials said.
Founding board members Corley, Bill Tracy, Gary Husinga and Keddy Hutson led the foundation’s creation by combining the assets of the Do More Corporation and the Monticello Industrial Action Corporation, which were both created to support local business growth.
Mike Atwood, Ed Ewald, Kevin Feeney, Luke Feeney, Kelly Finet, Larry Stephens, Steve Tenhouse, and Brenda Timmons have also been selected to serve on the board due to their community ties. All 12 board members serve without compensation.
While the foundation is still in its infancy, officials said that its existing endowment is “substantial,” and both grant applicants and interested donors are invited to connect with the organization.
Information is available at monticellocommunityfoundation.org. Most donations are tax-deductible.
Grocery announces grand reopening, giveaways
Ruler Foods is holding a grand reopening celebration Friday to celebrate a recent “refresh” at its 2002 W. Springfield Ave. location in Champaign.
The event begins at 8 a.m. with a ribbon cutting, and the first 100 customers will receive gift cards valued up to $500. There will also be special deals available throughout the weekend. Ruler Foods will also present a $1,000 donation to a local food bank as part of the festivities.
Company officials said the changes include a new layout and expanded offerings.
“We’re excited to unveil our updated store for the Champaign community,” said Amy McCormick, communications manager at Ruler Foods. “These improvements reflect our continued commitment to providing great value, fresh food and a better shopping experience for our customers.”
The event also coincides with Ruler Foods’ plans to celebrate National Donut Day, which falls on Friday. The grocery chain will give away a free package of six glazed donuts to the first 50 customers at each of its stores.
Compost service partners with nonprofit farm
WasteNot Compost and Sola Gratia Farm have collaborated to create a new compost drop-off site at The Community Classroom teaching farm.
Participating residents will be able to bring all of their food scrap waste, 100 percent paper products and certified compostable products to the location year-round. The drop-off site is located in the parking lot at 2200 S. Philo Road, Urbana. Access costs $15 a month.
WasteNot officials said that the drop-off enclosure will be regularly emptied, with the collected materials then turned into nutrient-rich compost.
More information is available at wastenotcompost.com/urbana. WasteNot also has a drop-off site at Lincoln Square Mall through a partnership with the Champaign County Environmental Stewards.
“WasteNot looks forward to servicing and expanding this drop-off program to meet the growing demand for compost services in the region,” said Growth Manager Tommy Vaughan. “As a community-based farm, a partnership with WasteNot to provide a convenient composting option is a no-brainer,” said Traci Barkley, director of Sola Gratia. “Our farm is an active space with hundreds of people visiting weekly to volunteer, pick up vegetable shares, donate garden surplus through our community cooler or enjoy time in The Community Classroom. We’re thrilled to support transforming food waste into food for soil!”