Eric Woods

621 E. Monroe St. Springfield 217-744-7225  Established:  1998 Owners:  Robert and Sheri Koch Employees:   Services: printing, signs, trade show displays Robert and Sheri Koch started Star Graphics & Media in 1998 as a home-based business. They quickly discovered they needed more space and moved the company to 1801 Laurel St., where they lasted for […]

95 Plummer Boulevard, Chatham 217-697-8327  Established:  2015 Owners:  Shannon McAuley and Fran Abbott Employees: 14 Services:  restaurant Scoop Du Jour was founded in 2015 by Shannon McAuley and Fran Abbott after realizing Chatham needed an ice cream parlor. Both wanted to see the old-fashioned, hand-scooped ice cream shop make a comeback. The two had more […]

820 E. Black Ave. Springfield 217-670-1132  Established:  2012 Owners: Derek and Melissa Roberts Employees: 5   Services: detailing, painting and repairs  Recon Techs Springfield opened its doors in 2012 under the name Luxury Detail. In July 2017, the company, which offers detailing on cars, boats, RVs and even aircrafts to customers throughout central Illinois, changed […]

2430 State Route 125, Pleasant Plains 217-891-8516  Established: 2021 Owner:  Sherri Paul Employees:  3 Services:  Wedding and event venue Paul’s Paradise is a family operated wedding and event venue located about 10 miles west of Springfield.  Paul’s Paradise began as an extension of the Paul Tree Farms family business. “After years of growing trees and […]

3695 S. Sixth St. Frontage Road, Suite ASpringfield217-679-6344  Established:  2020 Owners:   Lauren Henton and Katie Romang Employees:  6 Services: counseling Lauren Henton and Katie Romang, co-owners and practicing therapists, began Luminary Counseling and Solutions after seeing an opportunity to create something different. “We created Luminary as a modern, warm, feminine space that reflects a […]

2121 N. Grand Avenue E. Springfield 217-525-4952  Established:  1949 Owner:  Suzie Wichmann Employees: 15 Services:   Restaurant William Krekel founded the Krekel’s brand back in 1949 on Eldorado Street in Decatur. His mission was simple – to provide delicious hamburgers and pair them with handmade milkshakes and French fries at family friendly prices. Krekel’s has now […]

445 State St, Ste C, Rochester 217-498-1038 Established:  2024 Director: Kayla Webster, Adam Greenfield Employees:  8 Services: Restaurant and food trailer  Greenie’s Grill began in July 2023 as a food trailer. The business is owned by Adam Greenfield, who serves as the owner-operator and chef, and Kayla Webster, who works behind the scenes overseeing the […]

630 E. Jackson St., Auburn 217-438-3408  Established: 1990 Owner:  Marlo Mohler    Services:  floral shop Marlo Mohler opened Floral Expressions in June of 1990, shortly after graduating from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture. “I had the opportunity to move back to my hometown and open a flower shop, […]

3290 W Iles Ave, Springfield 217-679-6044  Established:  2019 Owners: Celeste Malham Brennan Malham, Will Hoecker, Omar Romero, Anna Dent   Employees:  5 Services: restaurant and meal prep Celeste Malham founded Fed Kitchen in 2019 with a mission to make healthy eating more convenient for the Springfield community.  Malham brings more than 15 years of experience […]

3 W. Old Capitol Plaza, Suite 15 Springfield217-544-1723  Established:  1961 Director:  Jay Shanle Employees: 3 Services: nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization Downtown Springfield Inc. began in 1961 with the mission to preserve, promote and enhance Springfield’s historic central-business district and support a vibrant city center. The nonprofit association currently is led by executive director Jay Shanle, associate […]

2105 E Cook St, Unit 21131, Springfield 217-610-5844  Established:  2023 Director: Robert Frazier Employees: 1 Services: Nonprofit providing laundry services  Clean Slate Advocates was established in 2023 by executive director Robert Frazier. The goal was to provide free laundry services to individuals and families facing homelessness or financial hardship in Springfield.  With a motto of […]

10001 Curran Rd, Chatham 217-416-5962  Established: 2017 Owners:  Kevin and Lydia Cline Employees:  2 Services:   Gunsmithing Blue Coat Arms Co. is a two-person enterprise run by Kevin and Lydia Cline. “My wife Lydia is basically the CEO of the business and manages a bulk of the operations while I take care of project development […]