JANESVILLE — Bodacious Olive LLC, owned by Quint and Rishy Studer, who also own the Beloit Sky Carp, has purchased the former United Way Blackhawk Region office at 205 N. Main St. for $500,000. The sale was recorded on Friday, Aug. 23.
Bodacious Olive runs three nearby businesses: Bodacious Olive, which sells cooking oils and culinary items; Bodacious Brew, a coffee café; and So-Chopped, a salad restaurant. The purchase will significantly increase parking for these businesses.
While the new use for the building hasn’t been officially announced, Quint Studer confirmed it will be a food and drink-related venture, with plans to reveal details in the next 30 days. Construction is expected to take six to nine months.
Studer believes the purchase benefits everyone, as it provides United Way with funds to support local non-profits and gives new life to a downtown property.
Shar Hermanson, president and CEO of Forward Janesville, called the sale great news for downtown development. United Way staff have been working remotely since June, preparing to move to a new location more central between Beloit and Janesville. The decision to sell came after the building was deemed too large for current needs.
The United Way offices were originally consolidated in the Janesville building after the 2012 merger of Stateline United Way and United Way of Northern Rock County.