Joe Kienzler has joined Hope as the development manager and will be responsible for the organization’s fundraising and development efforts. ‹ LeftCenterRight ResizeCancelCrop 300 x 383 ✖i › While this is his first time working for a nonprofit, Kienzler said it was a logical transition for him. “On the surface, it doesn’t seem like there […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
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Jeremy Bivens joins LifeMap Wealth Management
Jeremy Bivens has joined LifeMap Wealth Management as a licensed wealth adviser. Bivens began his career in financial services in 2017, starting in banking before transitioning to financial advisory services in 2020. “Jeremy embodies what LifeMap is all about,” said Kip Reiss, wealth adviser. “He brings both technical expertise and real-life relatability to the table. […]
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Changes at Sixth Street Mel-O-Cream store
Mel-O-Cream Donuts, 3010 S. Sixth St., held a ribbon cutting Aug. 20 celebrating its new Route 66 shield-shaped doughnut sign and an extended menu and hours. Sangamon Donuts, the owner and operator of five Mel-O-Cream stores in Springfield, applied for a grant in December 2024 to create a large Route 66 shield-shaped doughnut sign in […]
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National furniture retailer coming to Springfield
The former Bed Bath & Beyond property in Springfield has been vacant for more than two years, but now another national retailer is preparing to move in. The Bed Bath & Beyond location at 3251 S. Veterans Parkway closed in early 2023, one of hundreds of stores shuttered nationwide as part of the retailer’s attempt […]
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Pet store to open in downtown Springfield
It’s been many years since downtown Springfield had a pet store, but Robert and Sonya Andrew want to change that. The couple plans to open Happy Scalez, an exotic pet store, at the corner of Fourth and Adams streets. The space at 122 S. Fourth St. was most recently occupied by Creative Reuse Marketplace, which […]
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Red Robin in Springfield to close Aug. 22
The Springfield Red Robin restaurant will close Aug. 22, part of the first round of 10-15 closures nationwide expected to take place this year for the casual dining chain. In February, Red Robin announced plans to close 70 underperforming locations over the next five years. The casual dining chain known for its gourmet burgers and […]
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Kristin Jamison to join Jacksonville Memorial Foundation
Kristin Jamison has been hired as the new executive director of the Jacksonville Memorial Foundation, effective Nov. 3. Jamison has served as president of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation since 2019. She is also a co-owner of the Future Champions Sports Complex and Jamison’s Future Swings along with her husband, Adam Jamison. Jamison will […]
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Historic Broadgauge building to be auctioned
The historic Broadgauge building in downtown Petersburg is scheduled for auction Sept. 20-22. All furnishings and equipment are included, with bids starting at $250,000. Dan Sperry of The Real Estate Group is handling the auction and originally listed the property for sale earlier this year at an asking price of $2.9 million. The price was […]
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Court and Karen Conn ponder their legacy
Rumors have been swirling for months about the future of Conn’s Hospitality Group, with some people speculating that owners Court and Karen Conn may be leaving town or filing bankruptcy. Karen Conn recently sat down with SBJ and confirmed that while there are changes in the works, it is not nearly as dramatic as some […]
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Kayla Houchin joins Express Employment Professionals
Kayla Houchin has joined Express Employment Professionals as the membership and communications coordinator. She most recently worked as an editor at the Herald Whig in Quincy and the Courier-Post in Hannibal, Missouri. “After more than eight years in news, I was ready to transition to a new role that utilized my skills in a different […]
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Sapori Pizzeria expands space, offerings
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market will celebrate two years in business this September, and the owners already have an expansion in the works. Longtime Springfield restaurateurs Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti opened the business in Montvale Junction in 2023. When the adjacent business, Design House by Staff, relocated to a larger space at the other […]
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Memorial Health names senior vice president
Dr. Ted Clark has been named Memorial Health’s senior vice president and chief clinical officer, effective Aug. 4. In his new role, Clark will oversee Memorial Medical Group, Memorial Behavioral Health and the health system’s quality and safety teams and its home health services. Clark has served as Decatur Memorial Hospital’s chief medical officer since […]