It's Your Business I FieldHouse 219 owner optimistic despite bar's impending closure

Mar. 24—Email business news to Jana Wiersema at jwiersema@news-gazette.com.

A sports bar in Monticello will close its doors later this spring.

FieldHouse 219, located at 219 W. Washington St., is set to close in May. Business owner Michelle Murphy said the property was recently purchased by a new owner, who is not renewing their lease.

"I knew the risk of renting a space and not purchasing it," she said. "So it's not that I feel wronged in any way."

According to county records, Michael Merriman sold 219 W. Washington St. to Bucks Pond Properties, LLC on Feb. 15. Illinois business records list Jerry Fisher and James Helmuth as the LLC's managers.

Helmuth declined to comment on their plans for the space.

"Whatever it is, I hope it's great," Murphy said.

According to Murphy, the first week of May will likely be the bar's last week in business. She said that technically, the lease runs until the end of the month, but they need time to move out.

Since announcing their upcoming closure, FieldHouse 219 has been inundated with business and supportive messages from people sharing their memories of the restaurant, which opened in the fall of 2015, Murphy said.

"For me, that's the good stuff," she said. "It's what made it worth it. It's exactly what I wanted when I dreamed up what our future would look like there."

In discussing her plans, Murphy said she will continue to do business in Monticello and is "working on a new project." However, she cannot share the details at this time.

"But I can say that it's in the works, so I'm stickin' with Piatt County!" she said.

Another business of Murphy's is Dirt Pour Traveling Bar, which she said can provide some work to FieldHouse employees. She's also been working to help her staff set up interviews with other businesses.

"The curtain is kind of closing on that act, but I think that we've got shows left in us," she said. "...Even though it's kind of painful, I do think it's leading me and my team to the next thing."

The royal treatment

Royal T Event Center, located at 14 E. North St. in Danville, has been awarded a $5,000 interior improvement grant by Downtown Danville Inc.

According to Downtown Danville Inc., Mark and Tassie Young purchased the building and have renovated it to include a private lounge, kitchenette, photo station and an event space that can accommodate up to 75 people.

"Mark and Tassie worked hard to breathe life in their building," said Annie Monyok, executive director of Downtown Danville Inc. "They took great care to create a space where their guests can celebrate their special events. The investment made in this renovation is what will allow this building, and Royal T Event Center to be a staple in our Downtown for years to come!"

The business opened this past fall, said co-owner Tassie Young.

"It was just a blessing to receive the grant," she said.

In discussing Royal T's renovation plans, Young said that they hope to refurbish the floor, make some additional improvements to the kitchenette area, and add a patio deck to the building.

Visitors bureau aims to encourage art appreciation

Experience Champaign-Urbana will reward individuals who visit at least 50 pieces of public art.

"Wherever you are in our region, there is public art on display," said Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement Terri Reifsteck. "We often get asked for maps to public art, so we're excited to launch this passport with 200 pieces across the Champaign-Urbana area. We hope it gets people outdoors and exploring different areas in our community."

Residents and visitors can sign up for the Art in CU pass program for free and will earn points each time they visit one of the pieces on the list, the visitors bureau said. Upon visiting 50 locations, a user will receive their choice of any t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat or tote from the Chambana Proud store, subject to availability.

More information and a link to sign up is available at experiencecu.org/experience-passes. Experience Champaign-Urbana also offers a CU in Asia Food Trail to highlight locally-owned Asian restaurants.

"This passport is only possible because of the work done by the Public Art League, 40 North, the Urbana Arts & Culture Program, the Urbana Park District, and our immensely talented local artists," Reifsteck said. "We're fortunate to have so many stunning pieces adorning our landscape."