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 […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
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 […]
Posted inComings & Goings
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 […]
Posted inComings & Goings
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, […]
Posted inArticles
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 […]
Posted inUncategorized
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid relocates office
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid has relocated its Springfield office to downtown. While Land of Lincoln has long served the community, this new space establishes a lasting home for the organization’s Northern Regional Office, which provides civil legal services to residents in Cass, Christian, Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Scott and Shelby Counties. Land of […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Amanda Brown named city communications director
Amanda Brown has been named the communications director for the city of Springfield. Brown, 24, most recently worked for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus as a membership engagement coordinator. Brown said that while she enjoyed her time working in state government, “local government has always had a special place in my heart.” She said she […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Long Nine Junction to return downtown
A restaurant is returning to downtown Springfield with the same name and location, but a slightly different format. Corey and Emily Faucon operated Long Nine Junction for nearly four years at 5 Old State Capitol Plaza before closing in February 2021. The couple then moved to Petersburg and have been involved in several culinary ventures […]
Posted inUncategorized
Land of Lincoln Credit Union to acquire local bank
Land of Lincoln Credit Union has announced plans to acquire Williamsville State Bank and Trust. While the agreement is contingent on obtaining regulatory and WSB Financial, Ltd. stockholder approvals, the proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Leonard Williams joins CLP Insurance Solutions
Leonard Williams has joined CLP Insurance Solutions in Springfield. Williams, an insurance professional with more than 25 years of experience serving clients in Sangamon and Macon counties, retired from Country Financial in December 2023 and will now serve clients as an agent with CLP Insurance Solutions, located at 3050 Montvale Drive, Suite C. In his […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
LLCC President Charlotte Warren announces retirement
Lincoln Land Community College President Dr. Charlotte Warren has announced she will retire from her role as LLCC’s sixth president in June 2026, a position she has held for two decades. ‹ LeftCenterRight ResizeCancelCrop 300 x 459 ✖i › Warren shared the news in a heartfelt message to faculty and staff during the college’s annual […]