The U of I campustown has changed drastically since I first set foot on campus in 1991. Few fast food restaurants remain, and some of those that still have a presence on campus have changed locations. Subway moved from above O'Malley's (which closed down after my sophomore year) to next to Kam's, and then back to Green Street. McDonald's was next to the Coed Theater. The theater was closed several years ago, and the McDonald's moved to the Union.
Burger King has a strange history. In addition to the one that had been on Green Street for many years, another one opened on the south side of green street, close to Wright while I was in school there. That second BK did not last too long before it closed. And then shockingly last year the old BK closed. I would have thought that its drive-thru business would have been enough to keep it open. Another mystery was what happened to Taco Bell, which opened up an "express" restaurant on Green, again while I was in school there, but I don't know if that one lasted more than two years. Garcia's Pizza was allegedly really popular at one time in Champaign. Well, the 1990s were not kind. At one time I think it had at least 4 (possibly 5) locations in Chambana. I ate their a few times, but the pizza was nothing great for the price, and I don't remember ever ordering a pizza from their-pizza by the slice only. My favorite cheap pizza, Grog's, closed a year or so after I graduated. Blimpie's on Green closed, which did not matter to me, as I never ate there. Fazzoli's, which was close to the same location, also closed. There used to be two Greek restaurants on Green, but I don't recall if they are still there. Arby's on Sixth Street closed down.
Jimmy John's was one of the few to expand successfully, with a location on Green closer to campus. What does all this mean? Well, I guess that greasy food is not as popular as it used to be. I also think that finicky students got tired of the traditional fast food burger joints. With all these closings you might wonder if Green Street is a ghost town, but it is actually more bustling than ever. The Wendy's at the corner of Sixth and Green closed down while I was still in school, and the building remained empty for several years. There is now a Noodles and Co. and Flattop Grill in that general area.
Various other stores and bars have closed. It really is astonishing to think about all that has changed in the business district. I'm still not sure why, but it has happened, and overall I like it. It has a modern look now, which beats the dumpy appearance it had back in 1991. Now if only they would demolish Kam's!
