User:Perkin15

“Campustown Panda Express”

March 21, 2014

Just recently, this past winter Campustown-Champaign, Illinois opened its doors to a Panda Express. The restaurant’s arrival replaces Follett’s bookstore which stood on the corner of Wright and Green since the year 1938 (The News-Gazette). The taking over of the bookstore now enables the restaurant to take on a two-story feature, which allows diners who eat in to have a more elaborate view of campus.

Follett’s owner, Elio DiStaola was concerned by the increasing property value and decreasing sales, which lead him to close the store (The Daily Illini). As a result the store was closed on May 29, 2013. Panda Express brings a nationally renowned Chinese restaurant to Campustown, which will seek to compete with the likes of other locals such as Lai Lai Wok, Cravings, Empire Chinese, Mandarin Wok, and Chopstix.

The addition looks to keep familiarized restaurants on and around Green Street to go along with Wendy’s and Subway.