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 […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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,” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
New buyer for old Burger King
MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express is on the move again. Jerome and Margaret Taylor started the business in a concession trailer in 2015 but have had a brick-and-mortar location in the Enos Park neighborhood since 2017. They purchased the building at 716 E. Enos Ave. as a turn-key operation from the previous occupant, Susie Q’s […]
Bourbon Street adds food service
Bourbon Street Rhythm & Ribs, 1031 South Grand Ave. East, has reopened its kitchen and is now offering food service Thursday through Sunday. “It’s been at least six years since we had food service, and I’ve been trying for some time to bring it back,” said bar manager Deb Smith. “There’s a market for it, […]
Myers Building celebrates 100 years
The Myers Building in downtown Springfield celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 8. Mayor Misty Buscher and Ryan McCrady, president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, met with Steve Myers and Julie Myers Casper to discuss the history and future of the iconic downtown building. The historic property now has a new owner after […]
