The management team from Bugbee’s DJ Plus and the Bugbee, Church, and Gold families have had a dream for nearly ten years of launching a venue in the heart of downtown Champaign, IL.  Our vision from the outset was provide an upscale urban setting with an industrial flavor for couples and businesses to host their events.  Our community has many great venues but nothing that captures the appeal of the nearby larger cities.  We believe it is time for our vision to become a reality and part of the fabric of Champaign.  The community has been very gracious and encouraging in their response.  Our many years in the wedding and event industry and the success of Bugbee’s DJ Plus over the past 33 years had prepared our team to accomplish our dream!   

In the summer of 2018 we began building a thorough business plan, coordinating a team of professionals and searching for the perfect location for our venue.  We very quickly found the area of downtown we wanted to be, and soon after compiled a dream team of professionals to advise us.  The east end of downtown Champaign has been in a state of transition for the past few years and we want to be part of breathing life back into the area, while stabilizing it for the the long term.  In just the past few years this area has been rejuvenated by Black Dog, Maize, Pour Brothers, BarrelHouse and a new 5 story building where the New-Gazette used to be printed.  So, as 51 East Main Street, Memphis on Main and Derailed became available we knew our concept would fit perfectly planted in the vibrant east end of downtown!  

The desire of our team and a key to our concept is to use local vendors and truly offer an experience of all things Champaign-Urbana.  Stay tuned for more of how we intend to serve the Champaign-Urbana community and to engage in helping us create the perfect venue for the town we all love!

The Venue CU

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