CHAMPAIGN — A local shop that’s been a community staple for a quarter of a century will close its doors next month.
Sharon Crow, owner of Checkered Moon, has announced her plans to close the store on Feb. 26, as she will be retiring and moving to Florida to be near family.
“I give my sincere thanks to all who have supported this sweet little shop that I call home!” she told The News-Gazette.
The shop, which has moved a few times over the years, is currently located in the Carriage Center at 2007 S. Neil St.
Crow was a recent “transplant” to Champaign when she opened Checkered Moon in 2000.
“I have a design background and had worked with friends on their homes, and one day a friend asked, ‘Why don’t you open a shop?’” she said.
“I didn’t think much and just dove in head first. A few months later, Checkered Moon was born.”
Crow said she crafted the shop to reflect her Florida roots and be “modern, friendly and fun.” Items for sale at the store include household goods, decor, clothing and items for infants.
Crow said she is both excited for her next chapter and sad to be leaving behind the community she found among her customers and staff.
“Checkered Moon was never just a business — it was a place (where) I watched families grow, celebrated milestones and built forever friendships,” she said.