A cat café is coming to downtown Springfield. “We’ve been familiar with them for some time; we honeymooned in Japan where they’re originally from,” said Samantha Enz, who is launching The Cats’ Pyjamas, 413 E. Adams St., in conjunction with her husband, Tom Raymond. “About six years ago, Tom was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
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Papi’s Pizza Pub opening Dec. 8
The former Pie’s the Limit on MacArthur Boulevard is now Papi’s Pizza Pub, offering Latin-inspired pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches, plus American classics. A soft opening is planned for Friday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. Owner Ryan Bandy purchased the property at 1710 S. MacArthur Boulevard in August, following the closure of Pie’s the Limit. […]
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Seoul 4 Soul bringing Korean fusion food to downtown Springfield
Korean fusion food is coming to downtown Springfield. Chefs Kimsimone Manning and Emily Tylman are teaming up to open Seoul 4 Soul in the upper level of Buzz Bomb Brewing Company at 406 E. Adams St. “Seoul 4 Soul has been my baby since I started culinary school back in 2014,” said Manning, “so much […]
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Five Guys closes White Oaks Mall location
After more than a decade of operations in Springfield, Five Guys Burgers and Fries has closed its White Oaks Mall location. Signs reading: “Sorry, this location is now permanently closed” appeared in the windows at the 2501 Wabash Ave. store Nov. 28. Five Guys, a fast food chain with a limited menu specializing in hamburgers, […]
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SmallCakes Cupcakery & Creamery reopening Dec. 1
SmallCakes Cupcakery & Creamery is reopening Dec. 1 under new ownership. The bakery at 2300 Wabash Ave. opened in 2018 but closed at the end of October after the landlord, Joyner Real Estate, filed an eviction notice against the previous franchisee. “In the past, we had done some marketing for the business,” said new owner […]
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HAE’s Bakery & Coffee Shoppe opens on Wabash
HAE’s Bakery & Coffee Shoppe has opened a second location at 3844 Wabash Ave., just over a year after launching its first brick-and-mortar store. The new store occupies the endcap space of the newly built Wabash Crossing Mall in front of the AMC Showplace 12 theater. Existing tenants include Better With Bubbli Boutique and Galaxy […]
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Sara Linn joins Central Illinois Security
Sara Linn has joined Central Illinois Security, Inc. (CIS) as an account executive for new and existing business development. Linn has two decades of customer service experience and most recently worked for AmeriCall Communications. She will focus on the eastern service area for CIS, including Champaign, Decatur and surrounding communities. Linn serves as a board […]
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Sgt. Pepper’s Café opening on West Jefferson
Sgt. Pepper’s Café is coming to West Jefferson Street, but it will be a slightly different venture from the current restaurant on the corner of Stevenson and Baker Drive and will have different ownership. “It will be the same name and concept, and probably the same menu for the most part, but definitely two different […]
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Matt Rutledge joins Hanson Professional Services
Matt Rutledge has joined Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield headquarters as a project manager. His initial focus will involve state college building updates, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, state of Illinois facility projects and K–12 educational facility updates. Rutledge brings to Hanson over 12 years of experience as a project manager, most recently working […]
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Compass for Kids to hold ribbon cutting for new office
Compass for Kids is holding a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at noon to celebrate its new office space. Compass recently purchased a building at 1201 S. Fourth St. after experiencing significant growth and hiring several new staff members. “We had outgrown what Central Baptist Church could offer us; we’ve been […]
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Springfield Reprographics acquires Laser Innovations
Springfield Reprographics has acquired Laser Innovations as part of the company’s expansion of services. “This new purchase adds to what we are already doing in that line of business, plus one more item,” said Steve Wakefield, owner of Springfield Reprographics. He noted that both companies sell toners for office printers, but Laser Innovations also maintains […]
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Academy Sports + Outdoors and Sierra both opening Springfield stores
Two new national retailers are opening in Springfield this week, both focused on outdoor activities and sporting goods. Academy Sports + Outdoors has a grand opening scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, for the new location at 3211 S. Veterans Parkway. Academy Sports joins Old Navy in the Southwest Plaza III shopping center […]