Celina shop may sell chocolate, coffee, alcohol

CELINA - The company behind a multimillion-dollar commercial redevelopment of the site of the former Celina Motel first plans to create a new business in the building that housed Charlie's Pastry Shop.

Lake Edge LLC, owned by Cody and Sarah Muhlenkamp, is dedicated to revitalizing the city's historical downtown to spur the local economy and cultural growth.

Lake Edge plans to close on the building at 109 S. Main St. sometime in mid-May, Cody Muhlenkamp said.

"Our goal is to show how successful a business can be right downtown. It kind of can be our case study for why it makes sense for business to be downtown," he said. "Hopefully, it's a very positive thing for the area."

The subject arose at Monday night's city council meeting, where councilors gave first reading of a liquor license transfer to the property. The business may sell coffee, chocolate and alcohol, city safety service director Tom Hitchcock said.

"The new owners are planning on purchasing it and fixing up the building and then getting ready for it," he added.

Muhlenkamp, who is listed as a partner with Stammen Insurance on the company's website, said that's one route Lake Edge is considering.

"If that worked out it would be potentially pastries, doughnuts in the morning, coffee," he said. "It would be chocolates. It would be open a little bit later with hopefully a nice patio out back with wine and maybe craft beer. We're open to anything."

Councilors on Monday night gave first reading of a resolution stating they have no objection to Lake Edge's pursuit of a liquor permit to sell beer for consumption on the premises at 109 S. Main St.

Lake Edge is seeking the permit from the now-defunct Deerfield Golf Course outside of Rockford, Hitchcock said.

"It's an intriguing proposal from what I hear, and it's something that if we're trying to make Celina a tourist-type of destination, it would be a good proposal," councilman Mike Sovinski said.

Two colleagues agreed.

"Anything that can go into downtown and spruce up a building, by all means let's encourage it," councilman Eric Clausen said.

"I think, too, if they're going to put money into buying the building and investing in refurbishing it … I would assume they would have a nice establishment when they're done, which would enhance our downtown," councilman Mark Fleck added.

Muhlenkamp said the owners plan to start work soon after closing the sale. He envisions a late fall or winter opening.

Lake Edge has also announced plans to renovate the site of the former Celina Motel.

"We've been working trying to get some plans put together for the old motel location, and, I think, like everybody else with a lot of the uncertainties with the virus, we're taking a step back from that and doing a little bit of a smaller project hopefully with this," he said.

The biggest challenge in leading a charge for downtown revitalization is finding entrepreneurs willing to jump on board with the vision, he said.

"I think once we get it going … it's going to make a lot of sense to be downtown and be part of it and it's an exciting thing," he said.