Magnolia Lane moving to Chatham
Magnolia Lane Home Décor and More is preparing to relocate again, this time to Chatham. Marci Ridle purchased the business, originally known as 6th Street Home Décor and More, in April 2013 and moved into 3600 S. Sixth St. in July of that year. The business sells new and gently used furniture and home décor,…
Karen Gedrose joins United Way
Karen Gedrose has joined the United Way of Central Illinois as director of community initiatives, effective June 24. In this role, Gedrose will work with United Way’s grant partners and the community as a whole. “I am working with nonprofits in Sangamon and Menard counties and helping them apply for funding,” Gedrose said. She most…
Mark Forinash addresses future of Café Moxo and its staff
Despite the June 19 fire that forced Café Moxo to close indefinitely, owner Mark Forinash said the restaurant’s 18 employees still have a job, although their duties will change for the time being. “Our goal is to keep every employee on staff,” Forinash said. “We are 100% taking care of our employees; that’s non-negotiable for…
Building permits – June 17 – June 23
The city of Springfield received a commercial permit for 1440 Monument Drive. Contractor is AFE Construction and the project is valued at $565,500. TC Investment 4 LLC received a commercial permit for 3901 Wabash Ave. Contractor is CFI and the project is valued at $1 million. River Birch Christian Village LLC received a commercial remodel…
Doctor receives zoning approval to build apartments near medical district
Zoning for a $4 million project to construct an apartment complex on Springfield’s north side was unanimously approved June 18 by the Springfield City Council, despite continued opposition from neighbors who believe it will increase traffic hazards and otherwise detract from the feel of the residential neighborhood. Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase, who represents the…
How to help businesses affected by the Adams Street fire
Following a fire that damaged multiple buildings in the 400 block of East Adams Street Wednesday, several efforts are already underway to help the affected businesses. “DSI is working with the city to try to work through this tragic situation and make sure that everybody is supported the best way possible,” said Carlos Ortega, executive…
Pam Hulten named director of Springfield Memorial Foundation
Pam Hulten has been named the new director of the Springfield Memorial Foundation, effective June 17. Springfield Memorial Foundation supports the mission of Springfield Memorial Hospital by helping to fund patient care, education and community health activities. Hulten previously served as director of development at University of Illinois Springfield, where she helped UIS achieve and…
Fire damages multiple buildings on East Adams Street
A fire that started at 413-415 E. Adams St. Wednesday afternoon caused the interior of the building to collapse and damaged several nearby structures, although property owners and tenants said they had not yet been allowed back in their buildings to assess the damage. The buildings that initially caught fire are home to The Cat’s…
City compromises on liquor licenses
The six Springfield bars allowed to be open until 3 a.m. on weekends will see their closing times moved to 2 a.m. on Jan. 1 and beyond instead of the 1 a.m. closing that originally was proposed. Bars that were previously required to close at 1 a.m. will now have the option to stay open…
Springfield Chamber announces Small Business Awards winners
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on June 18 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. The event, presented by Hickory Point Bank, recognized four outstanding community entrepreneurs in the following categories: Not-for-Profit – Business Director of the Year recognizes an executive of a not-for-profit organization who has…
City may delay vote on 3 a.m. liquor licenses
The Springfield City Council member whose ward includes much of downtown hopes to delay a scheduled vote June 18 on whether 3 a.m. liquor licenses should be eliminated in favor of a 1 a.m. closing time. Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase – whose ward includes The Alamo, Clique, Celtic Mist Pub and The Gin Mill,…
Springfield Clinic to hold ribbon cutting for renovated facility
Springfield Clinic will hold a ribbon cutting at noon on Monday, June 24, to celebrate the relocation of the endocrinology and nephrology teams to a newly renovated facility at 401 E. Carpenter Street. After more than a year in the works, Springfield Clinic is ready to welcome patients to the renovated facility. Tours of the facility will…
Building permits – June 10 – June 16
BT-OH LLC received a commercial permit for 3149 Wide Track Drive. Contractor is Powerhouse Retail Services, LLC and the project is valued at $10,000. Springfield Gymnastics Center LLC received a commercial permit for 3400 Gateway Drive. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services Inc. and the project is valued at $2.88 million. Hopkins Properties of Springfield %…
Aunt Lou’s Soul Food opening downtown
Aunt Lou’s Soul Food is opening Friday, more than a year after Corey Dickerson first announced he was teaming up with Smarjesse Taylor to bring “modern soul food with a classy touch” to downtown. “There were a lot of issues with the city,” Dickerson said, who noted that his landlord, Rick Lawrence, has had ongoing…
Doctor wants to build apartments near medical district
People who live near a proposed three-story, 18-unit apartment complex on Springfield’s north side say the $4 million project would increase traffic hazards and otherwise detract from the feel of the residential neighborhood. “It’s just going to be more congested,” John Austin, 74, one of the neighbors, told Illinois Times. “The traffic’s going to be…
Rebuilding the Catholic Church
Imagine a place where pupils study Aristotle and also learn how to plane boards. San Damiano College for the Trades will do just that. The future central Illinois school just hired its first president, Kent Lasnoski, who is moving to Springfield from Wyoming, where he led another Catholic college. He hopes to open the doors…
Law firm relocates
The law firm of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen has relocated, but the company didn’t go far. “We just moved right down the street,” said Theresa Powell, who serves as the managing partner for the Springfield office. The firm had operated out of 3731 W. Wabash Ave. since November 2012, a large glass office building…
Masons to relocate statewide headquarters
The Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M. has purchased a building on Wabash Avenue to serve as a new headquarters for freemasons statewide. While the Grand Lodge was already based in Springfield, the new building is more than double the size and gives them a more visible presence. “We had looked several years back…
Legislation passes to help BOS Center expansion
A bill recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly increases the likelihood a proposed $93 million expansion of Springfield’s convention center will become reality, a state lawmaker says. “I do think this project is something that will really benefit and save the downtown,” state Rep. Mike Coffey, R-Springfield, told Illinois Times on June 3. House Bill 3144,…
Building permits – June 3 – June 9
FICSSYSTEMS INC received a commercial remodel permit for 820 Converse St. Contractor is FICSSYSTEMS INC and the project is valued at $15,000. HSHS St. John’s Hospital received a commercial remodel permit for 800 E. Carpenter St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $1.48 million. Cobblestone Place LLC received a commercial remodel…
The Feed Store closes for second time since 2020
The Feed Store, a downtown staple for decades, has closed again for the second time since 2020. The original owners, Ross Richardson and Ann Laurence, moved to Springfield in 1973 as staff organizers for Governor Dan Walker and later decided to open a restaurant on the Old State Capitol Plaza. The couple operated The Feed…
LLCC offering Small Business Leadership Development Bootcamp
Lincoln Land Community College Continuing, Corporate and Professional Education will offer a Small Business Leadership Development Bootcamp beginning September 2024 running through February 2025 on the LLCC campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd., Springfield. LLCC’s program provides core leadership development training aimed at reducing employee turnover and improving leadership and effectiveness for small businesses. Participants chosen for…
Keep picnic menus simple
I am very passionate about both food and music and few things bring me more pleasure than dining al fresco at a musical performance. Al fresco in Italian translates to “in the cool,” and has come to refer to dining in the fresh air. The combination of delicious food, live music and a beautiful outdoor…
Saucy Rice closes, new restaurant taking its place
Saucy Rice Vietnamese Flavors has closed, but the space on Toronto Road won’t be vacant for long. The family that operates El Dorado Taqueria, located in the same shopping center, has already signed a lease and plans to open a new restaurant by next month. “We are going to do a sweets and snacks kind…
Olivia Lohse joins Springfield Chamber
Olivia Lohse has joined the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce as its Young Professional Program Manager. In her role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the RISE Springfield program and provides support to its executive committee and various subcommittees. Lohse attended University of Illinois Springfield, majoring in communications. Before joining to the Chamber of Commerce,…
Lawmakers further regulate carbon dioxide pipeline development
After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – and move it through pipelines before storing it deep underground. While…
Twisted Fork owners talk about closure, future plans
Today is the last day of operations for Twisted Fork, but not necessarily the last chance to enjoy its signature dishes. A food truck is already in the works, and the owners said they haven’t ruled out reopening down the road in a different location. “We’ll have to get our bearings for a few months,”…
Indiya’s Consignment Boutique opening in Capital City Shopping Center
The upcoming opening of Georgia Jalivay’s new business, Indiya’s Consignment Boutique, will bring her full circle. “I did retail sales for 25 years. When I was fresh out of high school I sold clothes, then later GMC trucks and cars, all sorts of things,” said Jalivay. “After all the sales, I went and worked for…
Building permits – May 27 – June 2
Computer Banc received a commercial demolition permit for 1527 N. 11th St. Contractor is GreenTrac, LLC and the project is valued at $46,535. Township Officials of Illinois, Risk Management Association received a commercial fence permit for 3217 Northfield Drive. Contractor is Johnco Construction and the project is valued at $6,700. Richard H. Syverson received a…
Lawsuits for Lincoln Tower Apartments
Structural problems have festered for years at Springfield’s tallest apartment building, but court action to fix at least one of the issues at Lincoln Tower Apartments could be coming in the next few months. The situation – including an inadequate number of working elevators and the city-mandated closure of the deteriorating underground parking garage –…
City launches program to rehab east-side homes
The city of Springfield is launching a pilot program geared toward helping first-time homebuyers by rehabilitating dilapidated properties on the city’s east side. “On the east side of Springfield, we own properties as a city, and we’re not doing enough to revitalize the neighborhoods,” said Ethan Posey, Springfield’s director of community relations. “We own a…
Renovations, repairs ramping up at state fairgrounds
Construction crews and Illinois State Fair staff are working hard to finish up renovations to the grounds as the countdown to the 2024 fair continues. The Illinois State Fair hosts a plethora of construction projects, including phase two renovations to the Illinois State Fair Coliseum and restoration to the Multi-Purpose Arena. “Spring means construction here…
