Spirit Christmas, the holiday-themed sister shop to Spirit Halloween, will be opening a store in Springfield next month as part of a national expansion of the brand. The current Spirit Halloween store at 3329 S. Veterans Parkway, in the former Party City building, will swap seasonal motifs and transition into a Spirit Christmas store in […]
Angela Mueller
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Taqueria El Pollo to close
The Taqueria El Pollo restaurant on West Jefferson will be closing at the end of the month after six years in business. The high cost of doing business in the current economy prompted the closing, said Julio Barrenzuela, who has served as a business liaison for small business owners in the area and works with […]
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Longview Community Bank building branch in Springfield
A Mt. Pulaski-based bank with Springfield ties is planning to build its first local branch on Wabash Avenue. The bank at 3741 Wabash Ave., near the Masons’ Grand Lodge, will be Longview Community Bank’s eighth location. Cam Pepper, chief marketing officer for Longview, said planning for the new branch is in the early stages and […]
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Midas slated for MacArthur Boulevard
A longtime local owner and operator of Midas franchises has acquired the former Hiller Automotive property on MacArthur Boulevard — with an eye toward opening a new Midas location on the site. The property at 2595 S. MacArthur Blvd. has been vacant since Hiller Automotive closed at the end of 2025. Kenton Childs, who has owned […]
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Salvation Army store on Wabash to close
The Salvation Army Family Store on Wabash Avenue will be closing later this month,but Captain Matt McCluer, corps officer with the Salvation Army of Sangamon County,said the organization hopes to reopen the store in a new Springfield location. The thrift store’s last day in business at the 1762 Wabash Ave. location will be Oct. 24.McCluer […]
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Dutch Bros coming to Springfield
Another national coffee chain will be making its Springfield debut with the planned opening of a Dutch Bros coffee shop on North Dirksen Parkway. The new Dutch Bros will be located at 2343 N. Dirksen Parkway, the former home to Hickory River Smokehouse. Adam Bell, a partner with Core Acquisitions, said the coffee shop should […]
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A transition for The Railyard
Seeking to spend more time with their growing family, Tim and Emily Lewis are stepping back from managing The Railyard — the outdoor food venue they have operated since February 2025. Brad Martin, who runs Oakview BBQ in one of the four food-vendor shipping containers at the Railyard, will be taking the reins at the […]
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New bookstore will support community organizations
Cathy Strukely and Tricia McGann are turning the former Fifth Street Flower Shop location into a Christian bookstore, with the goal of spreading kindness and providing financial support to other community organizations. The friends, who met in a church community group, are opening Kindness + Co. at 739 S. Fifth St. “One of the things […]
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New hibachi restaurant on north end
A new hibachi restaurant is moving into the space formerly occupied by Papa Murphy’s Pizza on Sangamon Avenue. Hibachi & Wok Cuisine is coming to 1712 E. Sangamon Ave. An opening date has not been determined yet, but the restaurant should be open by the holiday season, according to Alexander Chen, store manager. Chen said […]
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Lee O’Keefe joins Dimond Bros. Insurance
Paris, Illinois-based Dimond Bros. Insurance has expanded its Springfield presence with the recent acquisition of the Lee O’Keefe Insurance Agency. Lee O’Keefe has relocated its operations from its offices on Chatham Road to Dimond Bros. Springfield office at 3931 Wood Duck Drive. The agency will continue to operate under the Lee O’Keefe name, and owners […]
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Stingers Sports Bar opens
Mike and Shelly Pawelczak, owners of Goodfellas Pub, have opened a new sports bar on Maple Avenue. Stingers Sports Bar opened Sept. 12 in the former Third Base Sports Bar location at 410 W. Maple Ave., next to Springfield and Jerome. The Pawelczaks purchased the property in January of 2025 and have been renovating the […]
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America Ambulance acquires Dispatch Medial Transport
Springfield-based America Ambulance Service Inc. has acquired Dispatch MedicalTransport Inc., a New Berlin-based provider of non-emergency transport services.Susan Zappa, owner of America Ambulance, said the acquisition will bring together twocompanies whose services align well. America’s ambulances answer 911 calls andprovides medical transport, while DMT provides wheelchair and stretcher vantransportation when a high-level of medical care […]