Restaurant questions? Drop them into Kathy’s #Mailbag, which goes live at 2 p.m. Fridays, by clicking here or by emailing Kathy Reiser at kreiser@news-gazette.com.
URBANA — After five years of sitting silent and empty, a local restaurant and bar in Urbana’s downtown is preparing for a comeback.
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House’s Urbana location at 201 N. Broadway Ave. plans to reopen in early spring, said co-owner Michael Cochran.
“There seems to be a lot of fun and interesting businesses coming to downtown Urbana and we are excited to be part of it,” he said.
Mayor Diane Marlin said that the city is likewise excited to see the restaurant reopen.
“We’re looking forward to the return of burnt ends on Broadway and other menu favorites!” she told The News-Gazette. “Black Dog will join a growing family of unique entertainment, hotel and restaurant destinations in Urbana. The local business community is breathing new life into historic properties and filling underutilized parking lots and buildings with activities for all ages.”
Cochran said in a previous interview that the restaurant chose to close its Urbana location in March of 2020 amid the onset of the pandemic, as they were unsure what to expect and felt that the space “was not well suited” to the adjustments that would have been necessary at that time.
He added that staffing also became a major obstacle, along with “a series of other issues that made reopening too big of a hurdle until recently.”
The restaurant announced its plans to reopen in fall 2024 and has undertaken renovations to prepare for a return to business.
Cochran told The News-Gazette on Feb. 28 that the restaurant has received the necessary licenses and permits and is currently focusing on hiring staff, which will determine how soon it can reopen.
Updates on the reopening will be posted at blackdogurbana.com, and links to apply for work are available at the same site.
Cochran said in an earlier interview that he has been pleased to see other business developments underway in Urbana, such as the recently-opened H Mart just across the street from Black Dog.
Marlin is likewise happy to see new growth.
“After many years of effort, it’s wonderful to see the renewal of Race Street, Main Street and Broadway Avenue,” she said. “There are still many opportunities for growth and redevelopment in our community and the City continues to support these efforts.”
