Beach Bumz, 611 S. Illinois Ave., is a former bar that voluntarily turned in its liquor license last summer to become a juice bar.

Roland Davis, owner of Beach Bumz, said he has seen a significant increase in business during the first week of the 1995 fall semester compared to when his business was a bar.

The response is mostly positive, he said. People, once they start dancing and get consumed into the atmosphere, forget about the alcohol.

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Davis, who originally planned to stay open until 4 a.m. but was denied by the city, said he has filed an appeal.

Davis said he plans to diversify the entertainment that Beach Bumz offers, including live music and a wider selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

Melissa Haury, 19, a sophomore in psychology from Murphysboro, said establishments like Beach Bumz are good because she can still go out to dance.

It’s all right, but I’d rather be able to get into the bars like I used to, she said.

Bill Lancaster, shift manager of Melange, 607 S. Illinois Ave., said his coffeehouse saw a significant increase in business from the spring semester during the first week of this semester.

People are definitely out there looking for other things to do since they can’t get into the bars, he said.

Lancaster said Melange is going to diversify its weekly live entertainment available to those of all ages in the near future.

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Longbranch Cafe, 100 E. Jackson St., is another coffeehouse offering music, movies and other entertainment to those too young to get into the bars.

Rick Johnson, manager of Power Players, 815 S. Illinois Ave., said he also saw a marked increase at his business, which houses video games and a pool room, during the first week of school.

Johnson said he believes his business will continue to increase as the semester progresses.

I have a good feeling, since this is one of the only places in town that caters to the underaged, he said.