New tenants are in the works for the former County Market space on South Sixth Street, which has been vacant since the grocery store chain moved out at the end of last year. A “coming soon” banner with logos for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and O’Reilly Auto Parts is now displayed on the front of the […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
Posted inPeople on the Move
Beatrice Bonner joins TRS
Beatrice Bonner is known throughout the community as the host of NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” show, but she has now taken on a new role with Teachers’ Retirement System. As of Oct. 1, she is the internal communications specialist for the state agency. “I wasn’t really looking, but the job popped up, and I decided […]
Posted inComings & Goings
The Levee to open downtown
The Gin Mill has closed, but owner Jason McKemie already has a new downtown venture in the works. McKemie opened Bar None in 2008 at the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets in downtown Springfield. That space later became part of Gin Mill, which opened in 2014 at 235 S. Fifth St. “We closed Gin […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Zach Dinardo joins Memorial Health
Zach Dinardo has joined Memorial Health as chief legal officer, effective Sept. 22. Dinardo has more than 25 years of experience as a legal advisor in the health care field, most recently as deputy chief counsel and compliance officer at Springfield Clinic. Prior to that, he spent 23 years in private practice with Sorling Northrup […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop opening Sept. 29
Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop is opening Monday, Sept. 29, with the goal of bringing high-quality, small quantity drinks and baked good to downtown Springfield. Ashley Rickenbach relocated from Austin, Texas, to Springfield and partnered with Benjamin Galbraith and Matthew and Rachael Hurley to launch Schlee’s. “Austin has a very robust network of bars and […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Evergreen Wealth to open on west side of Springfield
Evergreen Wealth is preparing to open on Springfield’s west side, but both the business and the staff are already well-known. “We’ve been Troxell Financial for over 30 years,” said Cassandra Ostermeier, director of marketing. The business has shared space at 214 South Grand Ave. West with Troxell, an independent insurance agency, since its inception, although […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Habitat for Humanity announces new executive director
The board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County has announced the appointment of Candace D. Silas as the organization’s new executive director and CEO. Silas brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in program administration, workforce development and community support services. For the past eight years, she has worked at Lincoln […]
Posted inAnnouncements
Free workshops to support small businesses
The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) is launching a new community-focused workshop series designed to empower entrepreneurs, small business owners and community members with the tools, resources and connections to help them succeed. “Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses is an important part of economic development, and we’re committed to creating opportunities that uplift and […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Bailey Family Insurance to relocate
Mark and Christine Bailey thought they’d found the “forever home” for Bailey Family Insurance when they purchased their current building five years ago. But now the company is planning to move to a significantly larger location after adding additional staff and wanting to have room for future growth. “We’re maxed out at our current location,” […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Hank’s Power & Equipment closes
Hank’s Power & Equipment has closed its Springfield location and the property owner has listed the buildings for sale. Springfield Mowers & Power Equipment occupied the buildings at 1808 W. Jefferson St. from 2019 until October 2021 when a fire at the business killed the owner, Robert Kalabus. His widow, Stephanie Kalabus, told SBJ at […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Former Standard Mutual building to be auctioned
The brick building at the southwest corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue is about to change hands for the first time. The office building at 1028 South Grand Ave. W. was built for Standard Mutual Insurance Company in the late 1950s. Evans Construction served as the general contractor and also oversaw construction of […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Elizabeth Wake to join NPR Illinois
Elizabeth Wake is joining NPR Illinois as a sponsorship account executive, effective Sept. 16. “This position will be getting underwriting for NPR from businesses,” Wake said. “It takes all of my favorite things and combines it with my business experience.” Wake opened The Wakery in April 2023 as a new concept for downtown, a late […]