Local franchise owners Marcus and Lauryn McGlasson are opening a third Springfield Scooters Coffee location on Sangamon Avenue. The McGlassons have purchased the former PNC Bank building at 1949 E. Sangamon Ave. and plan to retrofit it to become a Scooters Coffee shop. Lauryn McGlasson said they are expecting a quick turnaround on the building […]
Angela Mueller
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New owner for Cocoa Blue Chocolates
Cocoa Blue Chocolates has a new owner — someone who is a familiar face to regulars at the Rochester chocolate shop. Joshua Becker, who opened Cocoa Blue in 2013, has sold the shop to longtime employee Mary Boesdorfer. Boesdorfer has worked at Cocoa Blue for nine years, starting at the store’s former Springfield location in […]
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Hickory Point Bank being acquired
The parent company of Hickory Point Bank and Trust is being acquired by an Indiana-based bank in a $111 million deal. First Illinois Corp., the Decatur-based holding company for Hickory Point, will be merging “with and into” First Financial Corp., the holding company for First Financial Bank, according to an announcement from the companies. Hickory […]
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Bob Barber sells Sandler franchise
After more than two decades training business executives across the region, Bob Barber has sold his local Sandler Training office to an Indiana-based associate. Wilcox and Associates of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has acquired the Barber and Associates Sandler franchise. Sandler Training is a global provider of sales leadership and customer service training. The deal officially […]
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Springfield Red Lobster to close
Springfield’s only Red Lobster restaurant will soon be closing. An employee confirmed to Springfield Business Journal that the restaurant at 2696 S. Dirksen Parkway would be shutting down. The employee said Sunday was scheduled to be the Red Lobster’s last day in business but that it could potentially close even sooner. The Springfield restaurant is […]
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Direct primary care clinic opens
Amanda Hildebrand is bringing a direct primary care model to the Ocean BreezeWellness and Primary Care center she recently opened on Wabash Avenue. Under direct primary care (DPC) models, patients pay a membership feel that covers allor most primary care services. Ocean Breeze provides membership-based primarycare, and while the center does accept some insurance plans, […]
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New ownership for Green Family Stores
New owners will soon be taking the driver’s seat at dealerships operated by Green Family Stores, one of the region’s largest auto dealers. A spokesperson for Green Family Stores confirmed a sale was in the works but would not name the buyer. “Out of respect for employees and all parties involved, we cannot discuss this […]
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Two food trucks opening brick-and-mortar locations downtown
After serving up Creole favorites at the Old Capitol Farmers Market for the past year,Journe’ Dawson is getting ready to open a brick-and-mortar location of Creole Smokedowntown. Dawson and her parents, Isaac and Somer Dawson, will begin serving customers atCreole Smoke’s new location at 213 S. Fifth St. on Sept. 1. The location also will […]
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Another downtown project
Local real estate investor Chris Stone has acquired the former PNC Bank building on the Old State Capitol Plaza downtown. “I think it’s probably the best building on the square,” Stone said. “I’ve been working on projects in downtown Springfield for more than 10 years, and I thought this was an opportunity to take a […]
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A chicken salad restaurant for Springfield
Nik Smith, owner of local catering company AF Food Co., is preparing for the launch of his next dining concept — Side Chick Salad Co., and, as the name implies, it’s all about chicken salad. Smith used the 217 Foodies Facebook group for market research when he was considering launching a new business endeavor, and […]
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Fresh Cycle Laundromat opens
New owners have given the former Cravens Laundromat a new name and a fresh, clean look. Ryan and Danielle Watson purchased the property at 513 N. Grand Ave. in December and, after fully renovating the building, have rebranded and reopened as Fresh Cycle Laundromat. “Basically, we went in and redid the entire building, inside and […]
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Eocene Medical Spa opens
Local anesthesiologist Dr. Qing Yang has opened the Eocene Medical Spa on West Monroe Avenue, with a goal of providing holistic care. Eocene offers skin rejuvenation services — such as laser resurfacing, microneedling, chemical peels and medical facials — as well as wellness offerings such as medically directed weight loss and IV hydration and nutrition […]