Believe it or not, Champaign-Urbana extends beyond the University. The boundaries of what is officially considered “campus” cannot confine the twin cities and everything they offer.
Year-round farmers markets, a fascinating music scene and infinitely occurring small business debuts are only the tip of the C-U iceberg.
One unique spot is Urbana Boulders. The bouldering gym is the perfect place to hang out — literally — for climbers of all skill levels.
“I feel like Urbana Boulders is an interesting space because it’s a climbing gym, but it’s a singular-owned small business that’s very community-driven,” said Autumn Senecal, assistant manager of operations and University alum.
Late this summer, the community will even see the opening of a new sister gym, Boneyard Boulders. Senecal hopes the new location, closer to campus and across the street from the new cat café, The Scratching Post, will bring in even more students.
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“There’s just a lot of new things opening and a lot of people wanting to build up the community,” Senecal said. “For a while, there was not a whole lot to do, but I think right now is a great time for incoming students to come into kind of a refreshed Urbana-Champaign.”
Bouldering may not be for everyone, but entertainment in C-U doesn’t end there. Whether you are searching for vintage, pre-loved clothing or fresh local produce, the markets at Lincoln Square Mall have it all.
Emily Petak is the owner and operator of both 217 Flea and Resistance Threads. Petak recently opened Resistance Threads at 405 S. Neil St., turning what used to be a pop-up thrift shop into a brick-and-mortar storefront.
“My goal is to encourage sustainability and shopping second-hand to as many people as possible,” Petak said.
Through 217 Flea, she organizes markets for vendors to sell and swap clothing and other items, as long as they are not brand new. 217 Flea markets happen across Central Illinois but most often at the Lincoln Square Mall.
“What I would like to see, too, is more connection between the students and the community,” Petak said.
Luckily, Lincoln Square Mall is accessible by bus, car, bike or — for the real troopers — just under a half-hour walk.
The mall is home to another local thrift shop, Catch My Thrift, founded and owned by University alum Meghan Campbell.
“I’m very community-driven — I’m an Aquarius,” Campbell said. “I want everyone to benefit from the efforts of community events.”
Catch My Thrift is located in the center of the mall, next to popular locations for younger shoppers like Record Swap, C-U’s oldest operating record store.
“Surprisingly, I get more foot traffic than you would think,” Campbell said. “Because the bus terminal is right there, and then people like The Idea Store — that brings a lot. People have classes; they go grocery shopping.”
Record Swap isn’t the only record store in town. Vinyl and CD fans may also be interested in checking out See You CD & Vinyl down the street from Record Swap, along with Exile on Main Street in downtown Champaign.
On Saturday mornings, in front of Record Swap and Catch My Thrift, the C-U Winter Farmers Market occupies the mall. Vendors sell everything from baked goods and fresh produce to clothing, artwork and jewelry.
The winter market runs from November through April, but during the warmer seasons, Urbana’s Market at the Square takes over in the mall parking lot. The Market at the Square hosts even more vendors and welcomes food trucks and live music, too.
The list of places to visit and things to do in C-U is endless. New students will avoid boredom for the next four years if they’re willing to think outside the Main Quad.
