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Discussion topics for this week: a familiar owner's new restaurant coming to Henning Road in the former Henk's Bait and Bite; a weekend fundraiser for The Dwelling Place; First Friday in downtown Danville; and Danville High School cross country summer runs.
Has the former Henk's Bait on Henning Road finally been sold? Can you tell me what's coming?
Henk's Bait and Bite Cafe closed in 2021 after 14 years. Kathy and Gary Henk opened Henk’s Bait and Bite at 302 N. Henning Road in 2007, which formerly was Leisure Time Bait and Tackle.
According to Classic Homes Realty information on the property, it sold in April for $100,000, which was $119,000 below the listing price. The one-story building was built in 1979. Description: "Henk's Bait & Bite is a longtime popular Danville staple. Scoring a 4.5 on both Google and Trip Advisor. They have satisfied customers for years with their award-winning breakfast and expansive lunch menu. Although this site is currently used as a restaurant additional options are numerous. This property sits on a one acre lot with a 3,775 square foot building and a 1,008 square foot pole barn with two 12' overhead doors. Ample parking and conveniently located on Henning Road. Roof is two years old. All square footage approximate."
I called Broker Steve Dively with Classic Homes Realty who then led me to the new owner, who is familiar in this area and owns four other restaurants.
The new owner is Rich Imeri, of St. Joseph and originally Macedonia, who with his family owns Rich's Family Restaurants in Tilton and Ogden, and Rich's Deluxe Restaurant in downtown Danville and Ela's Eatery on Voorhees Street in Danville.
Ela is Rich's granddaughter. When Ela's name was used for that restaurant, his grandson asked Imeri why he didn't use his name.
"I told him you're going to be next," Imeri said.
The former Henk's will be called Lelo's Cafe.
Imeri hopes to open the family's fifth restaurant around October.
Lelo's Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch.
With the cafe's shorter hours, maybe 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m., he plans do some different things with the breakfast menu with fresher items, with spinach and other items.
Imeri said they will evaluate the hours once they're open to see about being open for dinner.
Imeri said he's planning renovations, with booths and tables for seating and other needed work.
"This one I don't know how I got it, by accident," he said.
He said he's 63 years old and despite all the family's other restaurants, he said, "let's try it."
They have around 75-80 employees at the other restaurants, and maybe will have 14-15 at Lelo's Cafe.
"I feel excited because every couple years I do something," Imeri said. "I do it for years, and now I need another one."
What's the new fundraiser this weekend for The Dwelling Place of Vermilion County?
According to Nancy O'Kane with The Dwelling Place, they are having "our first annual golf outing to raise funds for The Day Center for our homeless population on June 8." The golf outing is at Turtle Run Golf Course.
Derrick McGrown and O'Kane are co-directors of The Day Center which is located in the basem*nt of First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Franklin St., Danville. It is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. They provide lunch, showers, laundry facilities, a place to rest and charge phones, a movie, resources, computers and a smile of encouragement, O'Kane said.
"Since the closure of the Vermilion Community Restoration Rescue Mission (on Bowman Avenue), our number of neighbors has more than doubled. Many tell us they eat with us on Monday and not again until Friday. Our meals served last month doubled," O'Kane said. "Crossroads Church, Serving Together, Vermilion County has stepped up to offer sacked lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m."
The Dwelling Place's golf outing is a fundraiser to help with the expenses at The Day Center, such as meals, more recliners, snacks etc. and to raise awareness of their mission.
Sharon Manion is in charge of the first annual golf outing. The cost is $100 per person which includes golf, a light lunch and prizes. To register, email sharonkmanion@gmail.com.
Later in the month, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 22 at The Dwelling Place (First Presbyterian Church gym), is a Breakfast Break-a-Balloon fundraiser. Breakfast will consist of biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, juice and coffee, provided by Cahill's. Buy a balloon and break it for a chance to win a prize. Prize categories are $5, $15, $35 and $50. Tickets are $10 per person. Proceeds benefit the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Vermilion County.
What's this weekend's First Friday in Danville?
Downtown Danville will see a downtown luau this Friday.
Rheanna Ollis with the City of Danville said the second Midsummer Luau is back from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Temple Plaza.
Tickets were still available. Participants are encouraged to get in their best tropical attire for a hog roast dinner, tropical drinks and entertainment with steel drums performed by Kent Arnsbarger.
Dinner tickets are $12 and must be purchased in advance here.
An after party will follow at Obsidian Coffee, in the back alley at 137 N. Vermilion St., from 8 p.m. until close.
Who is the group that runs summer mornings at Edison Elementary School in Danville?
Danville High School cross country coach Matt Skovran, who also is the head men's and women's cross country coach at Danville Area Community College, is the guy in charge of these group runs.
Cross country summer runs start the week of June 10, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting and ending at Edison, 2101 N. Vermilion St.
The runs will go until the first week of August.
DHS' first cross country meet is on Aug. 31 in Paris, Ill.
