Bryan Rives, director of the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center, will be retiring this summer after leading the arts and entertainment center for nine years. UIS has appointed Sarah Brewer, current director of development for the center, to serve as interim director effective July 1. The university plans to conduct a national search […]
Angela Mueller
Absolut Aesthetics relocating
Courtney Wilbern is moving her Absolut Aesthetics and Wellness Medspa to a new home. The med spa will be relocating from its current location at 949 Clocktower Drive to a new facility at 2205 W. Wabash Ave, Suite 107. The move should be complete by late May or early June, Wilbern said, depending on how […]
Two law firms to merge
As Gordon Gates, managing partner at Gates, Wise and Schlosser, is preparing for retirement, the law firm bearing his name is finalizing the details of a merger with another local firm. Gates, Wise and Schlosser PC and Frazier and Sabin LLP are merging to become Frazier, Sabin and Schlosser. The merger should be complete by […]
BUNN appoints new CEO
The Ali Group, which acquired Springfield-based BUNN in March, has appointed a new president and CEO to lead the beverage equipment manufacturer. Brad Willis, who is currently the chief financial officer of Ali Group, will take the reins at BUNN as of May 11, according to a statement from Chicago-based Ali Group. As president and […]
Ben Hage leaving Innovate Springfield
After nearly three years leading the University of Illinois Springfield’s downtown business incubator, Ben Hage’s last day at Innovate Springfield will be May 31. Hage has been named director of the Petrick Idea Center at Illinois Wesleyan University, effective June 1. The Petrick Idea Center is set to open this fall in a 15,000-square-foot facility […]
Smokey Bones closes abruptly
The Smokey Bones in Springfield closed abruptly Tuesday, although the restaurant may not stay shuttered for long. A sign posted on the door at 2660 S. Dirksen Parkway reads: “This location is permanently closed. Smokey Bones has ceased operations at all locations. We thank you for all the years of letting us serve you.” However, […]
Changes for Cousin Eddie’s
Cousin Eddie’s Sports Bar and Grill has new owners and a new look. Brothers Brandon and Erik Turley bought Cousin Eddie’s, located at 1951 W. Monroe, from Will Hoecker at the beginning of March. They then closed the bar and grill and went to work giving the place a facelift. The Turleys recently reopened the […]
Lumpia House owners to launch new restaurant
The owners of the Lumpia House restaurant and food truck are opening a new restaurant with a menu designed around the Filipino grilled chicken dish known as inasal. Mcinasal Filipino Grilled Chicken will be opening in the first or second week of June at 1501 Wabash Ave., according to Rolando Cabral, who owns both Lumpia […]
Cainan Barnett launches nonprofit
Cainan Barnett, former marketing director for Isringhausen Imports, is launching a new nonprofit to help local small businesses and community organizations create and maintain their digital presence without breaking the budget. Blok by Blok Inc. builds custom websites for small businesses and nonprofits for a one-time flat fee of $1,000. Barnett, who has spent his […]
Hadley’s Cards and Coins opens
Buying and selling coins and cards is in Tim Hadley’s genes. Hadley’s late father operated a coin shop in Peoria for many years, and Hadley is now carrying on the family tradition, opening up Hadley’s Cards and Coins in Springfield. The shop at 1051 Wabash Ave. carries U.S. and foreign coins and currency, basketball, baseball […]
Jerzi Rae’s Boutique closing
Jerzi Rae’s Boutique is closing shop this week after just a year in its Springfield location. Friday will be the last day of business for the fashion boutique located at 1927 W. Iles Ave. Owner Sommer Henrikson relocated Jerzi Rae’s from its former location in Williamsville to Springfield in April 2025, hoping that moving to […]
Killian and Associates to relocate
After more than 30 years in the same Fifth Street location, Dr. Terry Killian is relocating his psychiatric and counseling practice to a new home. Killian and Associates SC will be moving south from 1020 South Fifth St. to 3901 Pintail Drive. The practice hopes to be in the new location by the end of […]

