I was lazily enjoying spring break, sitting at a pool, squinting bare-eyed out at the light blue waters of South Florida when my dad grumbles to me, “I just got an email; there is a major fire on campus.”

‘Ah, dang! Hope my apartment didn’t burn down!’ I think.

Seemingly anticipating my thought, my dad asks, “Where is the 600 block of East Green?”

“No idea.” ‘Phew, the apartment is safe at least.’

So out came the 3G-equipped iSomething, and he went to Google Maps. After some initial confusion — my dad was puzzled why there would be a campus alert for the 600 block of East Green Street in Urbana, east of Vine Street, rather than in Champaign — we both realize, to our shock, that the fire was in the heart of Campustown.

A couple minutes later, my dad informs me he found some pictures on Facebook. By the looks of his expression, I can tell that whatever he is looking at has made an impression on him.

Slumped lifelessly in my pool chair, yet curious, I slowly get up to peer over his shoulder. I see huge plumes of black smoke above Green Street between Sixth and Wright streets.

After a little deduction and a little Web confirmation, I realize that Zorba’s was in danger’s way.

Zorba’s! A campus establishment. Badly fire damaged. Surely not?

I was alarmed because Zorba’s is part of the history and tradition of Chambana. It’s been around since 1973, and countless students and locals swear they serve the best gyros. Some swear by the meat, some swear by the tzatziki sauce, many swear by both.

It’s not just the food. Groovy Tuesdays brought more students and festivities with cheap prices.

Weekly jazz nights drew on a great local resource, the University’s acclaimed jazz department, and added color to what can be a dry and routine campus scene. The decor celebrated things local, including the beloved 2004-2005 Illini basketball team.

Mia Za’s, too, was a local fixture, likewise opening in the 1970s and offering a unique product — a wide range of tasty and affordable Italian foods perfect for students on the run.

In the wake of the news, students were disappointed with the (temporary) loss of local favorites. I saw plenty of incredulous Facebook posts, and if you walk down Green Street, you will see the words in chalk: “Thanks For the Love / Stay Groovy Zorba’s.”

Notably, this sentiment seems restricted to Zorba’s and Mia Za’s and not the other affected buildings. Partly, no doubt, this is because we love to eat.

But, I suspect, this is also because of our attachment to long-standing local staples. When campus is increasingly populated by chains, there’s a special appeal to businesses that are part of the campus’s history while still offering a competitive product.

Let’s put it this way: I don’t imagine the same response if Noodles & Company sustains fire damage.

We value local businesses — and rightly so.

The fire, unfortunately, is a blow to two great local businesses. Both owners, in news reports, expressed intent to repair and rebuild.

Let’s hope that they’re both successful.

Meanwhile, let’s remind ourselves of the value of local businesses. The more chains we have, the closer campus inches to losing its character and becoming no different from any random part of suburbia.

So support local businesses. Zorba’s and Mia Za’s are a couple of the many local businesses to try out.

Eat at a local restaurant that offers a good product (think Minecci’s or Antonio’s) instead of always eating at Noodles or Panera. Try out local options downtown. In downtown Champaign, I recommend Nitaya Thai or, for a beer, The Blind Pig Co. or Brewery; in Urbana, Crane Alley, Black Dog and Courier Cafe, among others; and also in Champaign, Jarling’s Custard Cup. Eat at local businesses, and keep Chambana unique.

Charles in a senior in LAS.