Sign indicates uncertain future for CJ’s re-opening

Posted on April 14, 2018

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – A sign at CJ’s Restaurant and Catering highlights an uncertain future for the long-time Bloomington-Normal establishment.

On Friday, a sign was posted on CJ’s front door saying it would re-open today. However, now the sign shows only a question mark, leaving the re-opening date up in the air.

CJ’s recently had its liquor license suspended after owner Peter Goranitis couldn’t pay the city $4,958.85 in municipal taxes and failed to appear at Tuesday’s liquor commission meeting. Last month the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority filed papers with the McLean County Court to take possession of the property, complaining the restaurant had fallen behind “a significant amount of money” in rent it owes.

CJ’s has been located at the former airport terminal location off East Empire Street for 10 years, and has been in business for more than 20 years. WJBC reached out to CJ’s for comment, but has not yet received a response.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…