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Two new businesses and an expansion to make over downtown street
By Michelle Koetters
mkoetters@pantagraph.com
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NEW 2:40 p.m. BLOOMINGTON -- Main Street is in the midst of a business makeover. After one downtown Bloomington business moved and another closed, an existing Main Street shop expanded into an adjacent storefront. Meanwhile, two new businesses also plan to open on the block.

Bill’s Key & Lock Shop moved from 402 1/2 N. Main St. to 402 N. Main St., the site vacated by pottery business Fired Up when it moved to Normal in December.

The lock shop’s move opens up space for a new book and gift store. Abe on 66 plans to open about mid-March. Plus, an art gallery expects to open at 404 N. Main St. in late March or early April. Main Gallery 404 replaces The Last Chance Newsstand, which closed in mid-January.

Bill’s Key & Lock

Bill’s Key & Lock Shop has space to display more merchandise now that it has about four times as much room as before, said owner Bill Streenz. He also hopes the new corner location will increase visibility and lead to increased sales.

“Downtown Bloomington seems to be in a growing mood right now,” Streenz said. “We just thought we needed a bigger, better space.”

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Abe on 66

Chris and Rose Hotz already own the Davis Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast on Jefferson Street. Now the couple wants to open a book and gift store that emphasizes all things Bloomington, Chris Hotz said.

For example, Abe on 66 will carry Route 66, Abraham Lincoln and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia, all of which are connected to Bloomington. Route 66 used to run through downtown. Outside of Springfield, Lincoln likely spent most of his time in Bloomington, Hotz said. Plus, “Wizard of Oz” author Frank Baum’s niece Dorothy Gage — the namesake for Dorothy in the book and movie — is buried in Bloomington’s Evergreen Cemetery.

“Our interest is sharing all of the history of Bloomington with people,” Hotz said. “There are so many wonderful, exciting things about Bloomington that many people aren’t aware of.”

Store hours are yet to be determined.

Main Gallery 404

A new art gallery will soon give local artists another place to display and sell their creations.

Main Gallery 404 will offer sculptures, paintings, photography, glass artwork and jewelry from about 25 artists, said co-owner Joann Goetzinger. Martha Burk is the shop’s other co-owner and the gallery director.

“It’s really to offer the public a broad range of local artists’ work,” Goetzinger said.

Once the shop opens, hours will be noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The gallery will stay open until 8 p.m. on the first Friday of the month.

Take a look
Bill’s Key & Lock Shop has space to display more merchandise now that it has about four times as much room as before, said owner Bill Streenz, seen here working at the shop in 2005. (Pantagraph file photo/STEVE SMEDLEY)
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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

BookLover wrote on Mar 5, 2008 12:32 PM:

" Just FYI, there already is a bookstore in Downtown Bloomington with Bloomington memorabilia and Lincoln Memorabilia and Wizard of Oz Memorabilia as well. About Books has been here for years! "

mixdown wrote on Mar 5, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I had no idea Dorothy was buried here (I guess she really ISN'T in Kansas anymore)! Bloomington needs to do a better job of promoting whatever culture it has to the general public. "

Blondie wrote on Mar 4, 2008 7:04 PM:

" We are thrilled to see this growth downtown. Bill's has been here for some time and obviously needs more room and Joann has actually shown art downtown for some time also with other artists. She is a welcome member of the downtown. There are several wonderful art galleries downtown already including Gregor Gallery on Main St, Eaton Gallery on Center St, the Mclean County Art Center, the gallery on Market St next to Lucca Grill (the name escapes me at this moment), Wings Gallery on Monroe St which has some of the most beautiful art by Kay Seefeld, Timothy Kent's Gallery on Front St. I am sure I have forgotten someone and my apologies to them but with the cultural district we do have an incredible art community of many mediums. Please come down and enjoy what the heart of your city has to offer. The Tour de Metro this year (5-17-08) will include many of the artists displayed in our homes. "

Gov't Oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 4, 2008 3:43 PM:

" Good luck to these business owners. I sincerely hope the community supports you. Especially the art gallery, we need some culture in this town. "
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