Monday Minute 8.24.26

Business Updates

• Bayleaf & Butterscotch has opened a location in Bloomington! The bakery, which has an original location in Pleasant Plains, is located at 109 W. Jefferson St in Downtown (former Sugar Mama Bakery location). Hours: Monday–Friday 7 am–7 pm, Saturday–Sunday 7 am–2 pm.
• The Cat’s Meow Cafe is moving! Yesterday was their final day of service at their old location. They will be closed through August 28 as they relocate to 211 Landmark Dr. C1 in Normal. Make plans to visit the kitties soon in their new home!

Anniversaries

• August 18 marked Shannon Patterson’s 29th anniversary of serving the community. Her business began in 1997 at 105 W. Front St. as Shannon’s Federal Cafe (taking over the historic Federal Cafe site). In November 2003, Patterson expanded by opening Shannon’s Five Star at 1305 S. Mercer Ave. on the site of the former Five Star Truck Stop along Old Route 66. The downtown cafe closed in December 2024. Shannon’s Five Star Restaurant remains open today, serving home-cooked favorites.
• You don’t need a secret password for this good news – Bakery and Pickle celebrated their 8th anniversary yesterday, August 23rd.

Menu Changes

• Eric’s Too Family Restaurant and Lounge launched a new combined menu created by Eric’s Too and the management team from The Local Hideout Bar & Grill. Eric’s original breakfast menu continues in the mornings, then from 11 am to 8 pm, Noah & Jasmine (the management team from The Local Hideout Bar & Grill) will feature Hideout favorites plus new items from their combined menu. Eric returns 8 pm–10 pm. They’ve also got full bar and beer on tap.
• 8 Bit Arcade Bar rolled out a new draft list featuring new flavors like WELDWERKS “Orange Creamsicle,” TRILLIUM “Fort Point,” and SIDE PROJECT “à la Table,” along with new bottled beers and THC drinks available individually or by the case.

Other News

• Congratulations to the owners of La Patrona on the opening of their new restaurant, Tacos y Arepas House, located at 2135 S Neil St. in CHAMPAIGN
• Bloom Bawarchi is finally ready to open their DECATUR location at 2912 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr! Their Soft Opening takes place Tuesday, September 1st. Call ahead to reserve tables.