Portions of the main level of the Illini Union are in the preliminary stages of a makeover. The Quad Shop is set to move down the hallway, while visitors to the Union will find school spirit taking a unique aquatic form.

The Quad Shop’s current 1,100-square foot location will be moving to the former Union Art Gallery, increasing its space by about 700-square feet, said Quad Shop Manager Jim Trail.

The move will offer more space for a greater variety of merchandise such as limited University apparel, Zip drives and small electronics, he said.

“Because we are in the Illini Union, we don’t want to compete with the bookstore,” Trail said. “But we want to serve the people in the Union specifically.”

Ed Slazinik, director of the Union, said the move will cost about $60,000 and require the full transformation of the new space, including new flooring, lighting and other fixtures. He explained that a goal of the expansion is to offer more than the traditional convenience store.

“The feedback we’ve gotten from students is that they would like more grab and go food options,” he said. “I’ve been trying to think outside the box and decide what students want.”

Trail added that the new location will come with increased visibility, signage and register space. He said the new Quad Shop is planned for completion during the summer with a grand opening in the fall.

“A problem right now with the current space is that you can walk right by it and not see it,” he said. “We need to do some things with the visibility.”

Mike McGreevy, junior in Engineering, said he visits the Quad Shop for miscellaneous items like snacks and beverages.

“I think people will find (the move) beneficial,” he said. “Right now, it’s just off to the side, and it will see more traffic where it’s being moved.”

In addition to the revamped Quad Shop, a new wildlife habitat will soon arrive at the Union.

A 200-gallon aquarium has already been installed in the North Lounge, and Slazinik said it is set to be filled with fresh water early this week, with the fish arriving about a week later. Slazinik said the idea was generated at the Illini Union Board’s annual retreat, and he then approached the Aquarium Club to see if they would be interested in helping out.

“We wanted to keep students involved in the project,” he said.

Adam Scimone, president of the Aquarium Club, said he wanted to provide an outlet for people with an interest in aquariums such as himself.

“I thought the aquarium would be a great opportunity for the student body and the Union as well,” he said.

The Union will be funding the aquarium, with the Aquarium Club responsible for its maintenance.

As a stipulation for the partnership, the Union required orange and blue fish.

The chosen species is called Cichlids, and the tank will start with 30 to 40 fish.