Champaign's Black Dog hopes to open soon
Owners of the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House now under construction in downtown Champaign say they hope to open at some stage this month.
The delays in opening have been due to the fact the building housing the new establishment is an old railroad structure dating from 1899. According to co-owners Pedro Heller and Mike Cochran, the historic building has presented some surprises to them.
The Black Dog is a barbeque restaurant, and a twin to the one in Urbana, which opened in 2009 and has proven to be spectacularly popular. Heller and Cochran also own the Urbana location.
Work on the Champaign store has been ongoing for about a year, but appears to have gathered steam in the last few weeks, when furniture starting arriving. Booths, tables, and bar stools are now in place, and there are coolers behind the bar. On August 10, installation of a beverage line got underway.
The kitchen has in fact been able to operate for months, and Black Dog began serving takeout in May. Heller says the bar is “shooting for” an opening some time before the end of the month.
Heller and Cochran could work with a flyer printing company to create a handout for distribution near the restaurant on opening day. Including a coupon may help, especially among first-time visitors.
The delays in opening have been due to the fact the building housing the new establishment is an old railroad structure dating from 1899. According to co-owners Pedro Heller and Mike Cochran, the historic building has presented some surprises to them.
The Black Dog is a barbeque restaurant, and a twin to the one in Urbana, which opened in 2009 and has proven to be spectacularly popular. Heller and Cochran also own the Urbana location.
Work on the Champaign store has been ongoing for about a year, but appears to have gathered steam in the last few weeks, when furniture starting arriving. Booths, tables, and bar stools are now in place, and there are coolers behind the bar. On August 10, installation of a beverage line got underway.
The kitchen has in fact been able to operate for months, and Black Dog began serving takeout in May. Heller says the bar is “shooting for” an opening some time before the end of the month.
Heller and Cochran could work with a flyer printing company to create a handout for distribution near the restaurant on opening day. Including a coupon may help, especially among first-time visitors.