Editor’s note: We are proud to have Champaign Surplus as a chambanamoms.com sponsor. Need a last-minute gift? Champaign Surplus is the place to head this week, with gifts available for the whole family. 

Meet Shira Epstein, the third generation co-owner of Champaign Surplus, the area’s top destination for outdoor clothing and gear. Although she recently returned to town to join the family business, Shira is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having built up her own graphic design business over the past decade. In addition to her business acumen, Shira also inherited from her parents a true passion for the outdoors and nature, and in her spare time she loves to backpack and hike. Shira and her husband Dan are the parents of baby Jacob, who turns 1 next month. 

See why we think Shira Epstein is a mompreneur to know — and don’t miss out on this special Champaign Surplus coupon for chambanamoms.com readers!

Champaign Surplus co-owner Shira Epstein hiking with her son, Jacob, on the Appalachian Trail this summer. Photo provided

Q: What is a typical day like for you?
Totally crazy and much too short, of course — just like for every other working mom out there! But to be more serious, I am quite fortunate to be able to arrange my schedule so that I’m at Champaign Surplus working on the business 3-4 days a week, and at home with my little guy the other days. Not that my Champaign Surplus brain and world ever turns off! Just like with any entrepreneurial enterprise, there’s always a business trip, vendor order deadline, marketing item, staffing need or other To-Do that needs to be addressed and spills over into evenings and weekends. It can be challenging, since the juggling means I cant do everything to the full level I’d like to. But all in all, I’m lucky to be able to have the best of both worlds.

Q: Your son Jacob is not yet a year old. How has he influenced how you view the store and its future?
Entirely! Though Jacob was just a hopeful thought at the time, starting and raising a family in Champaign-Urbana was definitely one of the reasons my husband Dan and I made the move back to buy the business in 2010. As a mother now, I do find myself increasingly nostalgic about the family-owned, multi-generational enterprise. I loved growing up in this community, and being a child of the store — and I hope my son will feel the same way. My brother and I spent lots of time here as kids, playing in the warehouse or under my dad or grandpa’s desks. When we were on break from school, I’d sometimes stand behind the front counter with our longtime managers Theo and Patricia and put customer purchases in bags or help count the year-end inventory. I doubt I was much actual help — but it definitely made me feel special and part of the family business! I then worked at the store throughout high school and over summers during college. But what’s been especially nice through the three generations of Champaign Surplus is that there’s never been pressure on the next generation to have to continue the business. My grandparents truly viewed the store as a means to provide for the family and enable their four children to pursue an education in anything they wanted. My parents were exactly the same way. While I knew they’d love for me or my brother to come into the business, they always encouraged our own career interests. I want it to be the same for my kids… that Champaign Surplus is a very special part of their lives which provides for them financially, as a backdrop for fond experiences and life lessons, and allows them to pursue their dreams. Of course if they then end up wanting to become ‘Generation 4′, that would be wonderful, as well.

Q: Did you ever imagine you would come home to Champaign to run the family business?
I didn’t, actually. I was one of those lucky people who was entirely happy with what they chose to get their degree in, and absolutely loved my career as a Graphic Designer in Chicago. In fact, most of our family and friends assumed that it would be my brother Jonathan, who studied Wildlands Management and Long Range Planning and is a City Planner in Lakewood, Colo. But the store was a constant and appealing option in the background for me. After 15+ years of being what I call “creative on-demand” for my clients, I was getting a bit burned out and started to think a career change might be a treat. And as my parents started to consider their exit plans for retirement, it was very difficult to think of Champaign Surplus ceasing to exist. When I met Dan, who shared both my passion for the outdoors (and outdoor gear we sell at the store) and the desire to be entrepreneurial and work for ourselves, and when our two skill sets were the right combo for the business, it all just seemed to align perfectly.

Q: What are the challenges — and rewards — of working with your mom, dad and husband?
There are some challenges, of course. We each have very different work styles and have had to find ways to make that work for everyone. I think the biggest challenge may be that even when you are at home you never entirely stop talking about work. But the rewards are much more prevalent. Neither my grandparents nor my parents had any trouble working together. Dan and I talked at great length before we made the decision to purchase the business about the dynamics and whether we thought it would work. And it does! It’s been nice learning the ins and outs of how the business has run from my parents, and then to be able to bring our fresh perspectives to complement and build on that amazing 60-year foundation. I think what is the most special and rewarding about this latest generational transition is that each of the four of us have a totally different skill set that meets an important need for the store.

Q: You have owned your own graphic design business for many years. How have you merged that passion with your current role?
In lots of ways. Dan jokingly calls me the Marketing & Design Department. But, it’s pretty much true — and I love putting my design and marketing strategy skills to use for the store. When we first arrived, I designed our new logo and updated branding for the store, and started to apply it to our public-facing efforts like the launch of our new eCommerce website in July 2010, new building awnings and paper shopping bags. Basically, I handle all our many ongoing design and marketing efforts, including the website, all of our advertising, customer communications and mailings, in-store signage… you name it. I also continue to work on projects for Trillium Creative clients, which I very much enjoy.

Q: Do you have any advice for other women/moms who want to their own businesses?
One very important key is that you have to love what you do. If you’re not passionate about the business you’re starting, it will be impossible to get potential customers and vendors excited about what you are doing, or to keep the fire in your belly when tough challenges arise, hours are long or you’re having to sacrifice time with your family. I’ve been super lucky in that I absolutely loved running my graphic design firm and I love this new adventure of running Champaign Surplus. Another piece of advice is to be realistic and really do your research in advance. As a graphic designer, I worked with many start-up entrepreneurs over the years that came to me for their branding, all excited about their new business idea. I was amazed at how many of them hadn’t adequately researched their industry or competitive landscape, completed a proper business plan, or defined clear goals. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities and be passionate enough about the endeavor to not be entirely risk-adverse. But you also have to come from an informed place.

Q: What have been big sellers this holiday season – and do you have any recs for last-minute shoppers?
The major standout category for us this holiday season has been everything outerwear. Specifically jackets and coats from The North Face and anything featuring Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology. We were also excited to bring back a Kids’ outerwear selection this year. It has garnered a great response, so we’ll be able to continue and expand the Kids’ offerings next year.

Did you see the special Champaign Surplus coupon for chambanamoms.com readers? Check it out!

Related posts:

1. Shop Local — for Kids — at Champaign Surplus
2. Giveaway: Meet the Mompreneur Behind Village Wardrobe
3. Meet the Mompreneur: One Week Boutique’s Donna Pepper

It’s the big day! If you’re looking for ways to do something special with your family — but not break the bank — here are several local Valentine’s Day freebie/discount offers in Champaign-Urbana.

Enjoy these Valentine's Day freebie deals in Champaign-Urbana; and just a reminder, the conversation hearts will be on sale tomorrow! Photo by ButterflySha on flickr.

• Coffee lover? Head over to Pekara in downtown Champaign, where you can get free coffee with the purchase of a dessert on Valentine’s Day as part of the “Love Champaign” campaign.

• Celebrate Valentine’s Day with free ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery from 3-6 p.m. today (Feb.14).  The freebie is for a mini scoop (about three ounces) of Tiramisu ice cream served in a cup. We checked, and the Savoy Marble Slab location will be participating.  (While supplies last. One freebie per guest. Valid only at participating U.S. stores. No purchase necessary.

• Print out or present this coupon on your mobile phone on Feb. 14 for a Buy One, Get One free deal on drinks at Caribou Coffee. Valid at participating stores only.

• Valentine’s Day is free cookie day at Subway restaurants. Head over to Subway’s Facebook page, Like it, and print out a coupon under the “Free Cookie” tab. You will receive a free cookie with any purchase; while supplies last, one cookie per customer.

• Print out this coupon for a buy one entree, get one (BOGO) entree free deal at IHOP. Not valid with any other deal.

• Print out this coupon for BOGO pretzel at Auntie Anne’s pretzels in Marketplace Mall. Coupon valid through Feb. 14.

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Dr. Emily McCabe is a board certified pediatric chiropractor who graduated cum laude with a doctorate of chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. She continued her education to become certified in the Webster Technique, which is used to adjust women throughout their pregnancy, specifically in the latter stages to make sure the baby is in the best possible position for birth. McCabe — a former University of Illinois cheerleader who met her husband Nick on the squad — is a mom of two little girls, Maggie and Jada.  You can find her Champaign practice in the Windsor at the Crossing complex. And she has a special introductory offer for new patients (adults or children): book an appointment and mention you saw this post on chambanamoms.com and the patient will receive a free exam and X-rays; offer ends January 17, 2011.

Q: Why did you choose chiropractic medicine?
I had been to a chiropractor while in high school and had a good experience but wanted to learn more about the science of chiropractic, so I  decided to intern with a local chiropractor. While interning I witnessed so many wonderful improvements in health without any use of drugs or surgery that I was intrigued.  The most memorable story for me was of this very chiropractor whose son was having trouble breathing and making it through the night as an infant.  The pediatricians and medical doctors where at a loss for what to do next when the chiropractor realized he had never checked his own son for subluxation (misalignment of spinal vertebrae resulting in nerve irritation.)  He put his hands on his sons upper cervical spine (top of the neck) and found a major subluxation.  He adjusted his son who was beginning to turn blue.  Immediately after adjusting him his color came back, he took a big deep breath, and he has been healthy ever since.  This particular story really illustrated the power of chiropractic.  And how wonderful that chiropractic can help so many people with such non-invasive, safe, drug-free adjustments.

Q: Why chiropractic care for kids?
The nerves control everything in the body, including the immune system.  Children who are adjusted regularly are sick less often, have less ear infections, and suffer from less colds. It’s such a great way to keep your children healthy without using harmful chemicals. Chiropractic has been said to help with a long list of conditions.  However, chiropractic doesn’t treat anything.  Chiropractic allows the body to function better so it can heal itself.  Some conditions that have benefited from better nerve function include colic;
ear infections;  asthma/congestion; torticollis; ADD/ADHD; headaches/migraines; acid reflux; behavioral disorders; colds; constipation; breastfeeding difficulties; sleep; respiratory function; epilepsy/seizures and more.  This is because with chiropractic the nervous system functions without interference so all the parts of the body function better.

Q: Is chiropractic care for kids safe?
Chiropractic involves no drugs and no side effects; it is very safe and non-invasive.  The adjustments are light and different than an adult adjustment.  An infant or young child’s body is not fully developed so the amount of force it takes to correct a misalignment is very minimal.  The amount of force used to adjust the spine is much like the force used to test the ripeness of a peach.  Typically, children do not need to be adjusted as often as adults.  When a child comes to the clinic we will do an exam and X-rays only if we deem them necessary as when we suspect scoliosis.  When starting care I encourage the parents to have their child adjusted three times a week for the first week to familiarize the child to the clinic, our staff, and their body to chiropractic.  For specific concerns I will recommend personalized plans of care.  Every child is different, some respond faster to adjustments, some slower.  Following the initial round of chiropractic care children can be adjusted on a maintenance schedule to keep their immune system and nervous system functioning at 100%.  Maintenance for children can be one time every two weeks to one time a month.

Q: Why chiropractic care for pregnant moms?
Chiropractic care is  a wellness lifestyle.  Being adjusted regularly means the body is free of any nerve irritation so the body and all its systems function properly, patients get sick less often, feel more energized after adjustments, and just feel better on a daily basis.  Pregnancy is no different.  Pregnancy is an especially important time to see your chiropractor.  Your nervous system is developing your baby’s nervous system!  Not to mention there are more aches and pains during pregnancy due to weight gain and change in weight distribution.  Another reason it is important to get adjusted during pregnancy is for baby’s position.  A misaligned pelvis can cause the uterus to become tight and may inhibit the baby from getting into the best position for birth.  This may mean that the baby’s head is tilted to one side or the other or even that the baby is breech or transverse as delivery approaches.  As a Webster Technique Certified chiropractor I adjust the pelvis and work with other key structures such as the round ligaments and psoas muscles to make sure the uterus is able to relax so the baby can get into the best possible position for birth, typically leading to shortened labor times and easier labors.  I also educate pregnant women on stretches and exercises they can do in the comfort of their own homes as well as any nutritional information that may be needed.

Q: Why is chiropractic care safe for pregnant moms?
The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid.  This coupled with low force adjustments means the baby is perfectly safe as well.  At the beginning of the pregnancy adjustments are not too much different from typical chiropractic care.  As the pregnancy continues and the baby grows I use pregnancy pillows which are made of memory foam and have a hole cut out of the middle for mom’s belly.  Most moms are thrilled to lay on their stomach again!  As always, how often a person should come in for care is different for everyone.  Current patients continue their maintenance schedule of care until about the third trimester.  Then we increase their visits and for the last month of the pregnancy I usually recommend that moms are adjusted weekly due to the increased stress on the body and to make sure they will be ready for labor whenever it begins!  Pregnancy women who are experiencing pain due to the increased stress will likely need to be adjusted more than one who is being adjusted for wellness.  Also, when pregnant women come in with baby in a breech or transverse position I strongly recommend that they begin adjustments at least three times a week until either baby turns or I feel we have corrected any structural alignments, or baby arrives.

Have a question for Dr. McCabe? Leave it here in the comments, or contact her office (217) 355-1798 to set up a free 15-minute consultation to speak with Dr. McCabe personally.

Disclosure: Dr. McCabe is a sponsor of chambanamoms.com.

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In just a short time, Amara Yoga & Arts has caught the eye of many parents in Champaign-Urbana. The studio is family-focused, offering prenatal yoga classes for expecting moms; yoga for adults; and specialized yoga classes for kids. Amara Yoga & Arts also has arts and crafts classes for children, offered at the same time as a yoga fundamentals course available to adults.

Located at the up-and-coming Lincoln Square Village (yes, I said up-and-coming), Amara Yoga & Arts is also committed to being part of the community’s fabric. Outside the studio, its art gallery not only offers a serene place to have a cup of tea (always brewing) and relax before class, but a visual feast for the eyes.

The studio offers a variety of daily yoga classes at varying levels of intensity for people of all ages and levels of experience (including beginners). Memberships are available, but you don’t have to buy one to practice there – all classes are available on a drop-in basis.

Amara Yoga & Arts truly has something for everyone — including children’s birthday parties (here’s a review); art and yoga camp for kids; and spa yoga events. And another reason we dig it? Free wi-fi.

“At Amara Yoga & Arts, we believe that everyone can reap the benefits of yoga – a quiet mind, reduced stress, improved health,” said co-owner Theresa Brandabur. “With a yoga practice you will build strength, flexibility and balance – take care of your body, mind and spirit.”

Their philosophy is that yoga is a treat you give yourself. And they’ve made that easy for chambanamoms.com readers; mention chambanamoms.com and you and/or your child will receive a free class. (New students only, please; limit one per person. Offer ends 9/30/11).

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The all-new 2011 Toyota Sienna parked in front of Laura's house.

If you’ve ever seen Amy or I driving around town, you might have noticed that we have (almost) twin vehicles (unplanned, we swear). We’ve minivan moms — and PROUD of it. So when O’Brien Toyota approached us about a partnership, we didn’t hedge — even though both of us own and drive vans made by a rival company whose name rhymes with Rhonda.

Recently Amy and I each test drove a brand new 2011 Toyota Sienna passenger van for several days. I know what you’re thinking – you let your kids ride in a Toyota? We were skeptical too, until we heard the facts: the Sienna model was not involved in the recent highly-publicized safety recalls regarding sticking accelerator pedals in Toyota vehicle. Not that we’re car geeks, but we do know this: the 2011 Sienna is the first Toyota with new technology that disengages the throttle when the driver depresses the brake pedal.

When we went to visit O’Brien Auto Park of Urbana, we were struck by their commitment to customer service. Customers can stop by in the morning when they have free donuts in the waiting area – and coffee too. In addition to the flat-screen TVs, there is a clean playroom stocked with toys for the 7-and-under crowd. Oh, and did we mention the free wifi? (We’re all about the free wifi). When a customer suggested that they put a changing table in the men’s restroom, they didn’t hesitate to order one. And then there’s the free car washes — when customers buy or lease from O’Brien Auto Park of Urbana, they can get a free car wash anytime the car wash is open– for the life of the car.

Next week, we’ll let you know our thoughts about the 2011 Toyota Sienna – from moms who know their minivans.

But in the meantime, if you head out to O’Brien Toyota to test drive the new Sienna and mention that you saw it on chambanamoms.com, you will receive a free gift bag that includes a coupon for one complimentary car wash and an O’Brien Auto Park of Urbana travel mug (one per household, please). In addition, you’ll be eligible to register to win a “Car-Spa” (complimentary interior cleaning, exterior cleaning and oil change — a $150 Value) for your  current vehicle. The giveaway and the Car-Spa will be offered until April 30 and the winner will be notified May 1, 2010.

If you decide you’re ready to buy, O’Brien Auto Park of Urbana is offering Special Employee Pricing on ALL new 2011 Toyota Siennas for chambanamoms.com readers. Just print and bring any one of our posts regarding the new 2011 Toyota Sienna and you will receive all applicable discounts.

Stay tuned …

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Welcome to chambanamoms.com, Cutting Edge Painting & Decorating.

I love that my house is cedar siding, but I hate that my house is cedar siding. Eventually, it will need to be re-painted.  When that day comes I’m going to call on one of our newest chambanamoms.com sponsors, Cutting Edge Painting & Decorating, to come out and do a free estimate for us.

Cutting Edge Painting & Decorating is an independently owned interior/exterior painting company located in Champaign. They are committed to earning your business! Dustin and Ryan have great references. They were involved in the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project of Salt & Light, where they worked to paint its warehouse. They are also a Better Business Bureau accredited business.

Cutting Edge Painting & Decorating would love to meet chambanamoms.com readers at this weekend’s WCIA 3 Home and Garden Show. They are at booth 212; if you sign up for a free estimate there, you will be entered into a raffle for $250 dollars in free labor — and two lucky customers will win. Here’s the best news of all: Ryan and Dustin are offering 10% discounts on any interior/exterior painting project booked through chambanamoms.com! Be sure to tell them you heard about their business on our site.

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The Gingerbread House in Bloomington, Illinois, is a destination for anyone who loves kids.

by Laura Weisskopf Bleill

No good road trip would be complete without shopping. During the Thanksgiving break, my daughter and I met friends for a morning out at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal (we’ll do a post about that next week). After a quick lunch, we made it to our final destination: The Gingerbread House.

The Gingerbread House is its own destination, especially for grandparents, parents and anyone else who loves to buy well-made, educational, off-the-beaten path toys for children. The original store is, in fact, an old house, and room after room is enchanting.  (I wouldn’t say it’s the best place to take a child, however. It is jam-packed with merchandise, and there is not much room for kids to actually play in the store. My friend Rayne kept the kids occupied by letting them take photos of things they wanted with her iPhone. G-d bless technology! G-d bless Rayne!)

The staff at the Gingerbread House are extremely knowledgeable about their products, and their market. They know who is buying what. If you’re shopping for a niece or nephew or grandchildren, just give them an age, a gender and a price range and they can help you find something appropriate. Customer service is a priority; they offer free gift wrapping. If you’re driving through, you can call them and they will pick out a gift for you — and will even run it out to your car!The Gingerbread House is certainly not your typical toy store. I asked them if they had anything related to Star Wars, and the answer was that they maybe had a book or two. What they do have is a fantastic selection of some of your favorites including: Melissa & Doug toys; Plan Toys; Brio; Breyer, Alex; Small World Toys and affiliated brands; and much, much more.

A doll in the nursery. Credit: Nessa Bleill

One very unique feature of the Gingerbread House is its “newborn nursery.” Located in The Gingerbread House Too (a second building across the parking lot), the nursery is where little girls (or boys) go through a full adoption process of a baby doll, complete with a birth certificate, adoption papers and a well-baby check-up. This process takes up to an hour and is offered by appointment only, and packages range from $105 to $180. You don’t need an appointment to browse the nursery and all the accessories available (the dolls are from the Middleton Doll Company).

The Gingerbread House also offers a wide range of birthday parties for both boys and girls, on a variety of themes. Parties start at $135.

Great selection at The Gingerbread House in Bloomington.

I left with several inexpensive activities for my daughter to do in the car during our holiday travels, as well as some birthday and holiday gifts — including a really neat dress-up accessory for one lucky little girl.

If you go, be sure to print out this coupon from their Web site.

The Gingerbread House is located at 603 S. Hannah, Bloomington.
Phone: (309) 827-8811‎

What is your favorite place to shop in Bloomington-Normal?

Related posts:

1. Househunting Mom: The Lifestyle House
2. Househunting Mom: The Dream House
3. Feast or Family: The Original Pancake House

These adorable red shoes from Pediped can be found at Checkered Moon, just one of many Chambana retailers offering great deals for Black Friday. Credit: Checkered Moon

Break out your wallets, ladies and gents, it’s “Black Friday.”

Too exhausted from all that cooking and cleaning and eating (burp!) to deal with the crowds at the Big Box Retailer? Never fear, chambanamoms is here! We took the liberty of scouting out the best local Black Friday deals. Shop to your heart’s content, and feel great doing it because you’re supporting your friends and neighbors with every purchase.

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Jennifer North: From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., all clothing will be 35 percent off. From 12-2 p.m., get a 25 percent discount on all clothing purchases, and 15 percent off from 2-6 p.m.

Bella Mia, Bella Home and Bella Bambini: All three of these delightful shops will have extended hours today. Bella Mia and Bella Home will open at 8 a.m., and Bella Bambini will open at 7 a.m. Be the first to arrive and get the best deals; everything in all three stores will be 35 percent off between 8 and 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., take 30 percent off your purchase, and a discount of 25 percent off is available between 2-6 p.m. Deals continue over the weekend –take 25 percent off your purchase on Saturday and 20 percent off on Sunday.

Art Mart Toy Shop: Art Mart manager Courtney McKay tells us that all plush items in the Art Mart Toy Store will be 20 percent off on Friday, and that there will be plenty of tastings in the Art Mart food and deli sections.

Confidentially Yours: On Friday and Saturday, take 20 percent off any purchase of $100-$200, and save 25 percent on purchases over $200. Take an extra 20 percent off already-reduced merchandise and mention the code “Black Friday” and get a free Silky Sac.

Checkered Moon: Save 15 percent on orders totaling $149, 20 percent when you spend $150-$249, and 25 percent when you spend $250 or more.

B. Lime: Head to downtown Champaign and pick up some Ecologic Dinnerware, reusable bags, and other select items are on sale; clearance is 50 percent off. Friday and Saturday only.

Don’t forget the Tupperware: Looking for Tupperware? Find them in the Market Place Shopping Center in Champaign. The kiosk will be located in the JC Penney Co. wing of the mall, and this will be the last time the vendor will set up shop for the holidays.

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