Following a nationwide search, Springfield resident Isabella Szabo has been chosen as the next executive director of the Springfield Area Arts Council. She will assume her new role Feb. 1. Szabo has been the manager of the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery since 2022. She also is a UIS Art and Artifacts Committee […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
Posted inColumns
Intricate Minds moving to North Grand Avenue
Intricate Minds, a nonprofit that operates a community center with a variety of resources and services, is moving to 619 North Grand Ave. East as of Feb. 1. Tiara Standage originally launched a for-profit event space, Everything Intricate, three years ago. In March 2023, she converted to a nonprofit and renamed it Intricate Minds, which […]
Posted inColumns
Brandon Blackburn joins United Way
Brandon Blackburn has joined the United Way of Central Illinois as director of strategic partnerships, effective Jan. 22. Most recently, he was director of operations for Mission BBQ and previously held a similar role with Panera Bread, overseeing operations from Chicago to St. Louis. In between, he worked in banking and founded WayPoint Crown Consulting, […]
Posted inColumns
Potbelly announces first Springfield location
Fans of Potbelly Sandwich Shop won’t have to wait much longer to get their fix in Springfield. In fall 2022, Rob Wilbern, a certified public accountant who also owns Robert’s Automotive and several other businesses in Springfield, signed a franchise agreement with the parent company for Potbelly. He announced plans to open a total of […]
Posted inColumns
Courtney Wilbern relocates, renames med spa practice
Courtney Wilbern has relocated and renamed her medical spa practice, which is now known as Absolut Aesthetics & Wellness Medspa. It began operating Jan. 2 out of a new location at 949 Clock Tower Drive. Wilbern founded the business in November 2021, shortly after completing her masters of science degree in nursing. It was originally […]
Posted inArticles
Nominations open for Good as Gold awards program
Nominations are now being accepted for the Good as Gold awards program, recognizing those that make Springfield a great place to live and thrive through their spirit of service in the Springfield community. The University of Illinois Springfield, the Junior League of Springfield and United Way of Central Illinois will host the 16th Annual Springfield […]
Posted inColumns
Remarkable Resale owner retiring, seeking buyer for business
Remarkable Resale in Rochester has changed its name, location and inventory over the past three decades, and now owner Kitty Boyce is planning a change of ownership as well. Boyce opened The Kids Closet, a children’s resale shop, in 1991. She quickly outgrew the initial 1,000 square feet of space, and by 1994 moved into […]
Posted inColumns
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop to relocate
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop isn’t so little any more. Ryan Leake opened the toy store in 2018 in a newly constructed retail center at 3450 Liberty Drive, but said, “We’ve outgrown our current location.” A move is in the works to 3001 W. White Oaks Drive, where two suites between the Gold Center and Wilson […]
Posted inColumns
Godather’s Pizza in Chatham now Dew Chilli Parlor
After more than two decades of providing pizza to Chatham residents, Mike Monseur and John Leskovisek have transitioned their restaurant to chili instead. Godfather’s Pizza, 21 Cottonwood Dr., is now a Dew Chilli Parlor, joining Dew Chilli Parlor Pub and Grill at 301 North Grand Avenue West. Two previous Dew Chilli locations on South Dirksen […]
Posted inColumns
Dabble Springfield relocating to Sangamon Avenue
Dabble Springfield, a do-it-yourself arts and crafts studio that brought a new concept to the capital city last year, is now expanding to a larger space. Sisters Ashley Striplin and Amanda Terry launched their new venture in March 2023 with a location at Sixth Street and North Grand Avenue. On Jan. 10, the business will […]
Posted inColumns
Planet Fitness opening second Springfield location
Planet Fitness is expanding its presence in Springfield with a second location in the works. “Our target is to open by early spring,” said Luke Schwartz, marketing manager for franchisee Black Duck Partners, which operates locations in 12 different states and Canada. Approximately 19,000 square feet of space in the Sangamon Center North Shopping Center, […]
Posted inColumns
Clocktower Café opens
Brunchfield Café closed less than a week ago and the restaurant is already reopening today with a new name and new ownership. While Clocktower Café, 751 S. Durkin Dr., will retain some of Brunchfield’s signature dishes, the new café will have more of a focus on traditional American classics than the Cajun-inspired food for which […]