The location of the former Loukinens’ on 4th restaurant is set to go on the auction block at a foreclosure sale. The property at 517 S. Fourth St., across the street from the Executive Mansion, entered into foreclosure on Feb. 25, according to a public notice. The judgment amount is listed as $182,828. According to […]
Angela Mueller
Posted inColumns
Hiller Automotive closes
Hiller Automotive has closed its Springfield location. A representative from Hiller Automotive’s shop in Pekin confirmed that the auto repair shop at 2595 South MacArthur Blvd. closed at the end of 2025. There are no plans to reopen the Springfield location, according to the representative. The property, which includes an approximately 7,000-square-foot building with seven […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Francesca’s closing all locations
The Francesca’s store in White Oaks Mall will be closing later this month after the women’s fashion retail chain filed for bankruptcy. Francesca’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey earlier this month and plans to close all its stores nationwide. An employee at the White Oaks location confirmed that Feb. 25 would be […]
Posted inColumns
Smokey Bones part of bankruptcy filing
The parent company of restaurant chain Smokey Bones has filed for bankruptcy restructuring. Fat Brands Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late January. In addition to Smokey Bones, Fat Brands operates restaurant chains such as Fazoli’s, Johnny Rockets, Ponderosa Steakhouse, and Fatburger. Fat Brands is majority owner of the subsidiary Twin Hospitality Group, which […]
Posted inColumns
Springfield MCL closes abruptly
The MCL Restaurant and Bakery on Wabash Avenue has closed. A sign on the door of the restaurant, located at 2151 Wabash Ave., stated that the restaurant would be permanently closed as of Feb. 13. “Thank you all for the support over the years,” the sign reads. A recording on the restaurants call-in menu line […]
Posted inColumns
Fire and Ale closing
Sherman restaurant Fire and Ale has announced it will be closing this weekend after 14 years of business. Zac Copelin, who owns the restaurant along with business partner Justin Misiorek, said that, like many independent restaurants, Fire and Ale has faced significant financial challenges that ultimately made it impossible for the restaurant to continue operations. […]
Posted inNews
New apprenticeship program to launch
The Springfield Project is gearing up to launch a new apprenticeship program after being awarded state grant funding. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity selected The Springfield Project as one of 39 programs across the state to receive funding as part of an expansion of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Springfield Project will […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
LLCC names new president
Lincoln Land Community College has named Curt Oldfield as its next president. Oldfield currently is president of Spoon River College, a community college in Canton, Illinois. He will replace current LLCC President Charlotte Warren, who announced in August that she would be retiring at the end of June. She has been LLCC’s president since 2006. […]
Posted inColumns
Little Mexico slated for little building
The owner of the Little Mexico restaurants in Jacksonville and surrounding communities is making plans to add a new location in Springfield. Hector Alvarado and his wife, Neri Hernandez, have purchased the former Paris Cleaners location at 910 South Grand Ave., which they hope to turn into their fourth Little Mexico restaurant. Alvarado is seeking […]
Posted inComings & Goings
New restaurant at White Oaks Mall
Levante Grill and Cafe, a new Mediterranean restaurant in White Oaks Mall, is prepping for its official opening on Feb. 1. The restaurant’s menu includes Mediterranean favorites such as chicken and beef shawarma, gyros, burgers, chicken wings, falafel and hummus. Owner Hisham Sweidan said all menu items are made fresh in the store with Levante’s […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Scoop Du Jour expands
Scoop Du Jour, the popular ice cream, donut and coffee shop in Chatham, has brewed up a new plan to attract business beyond the morning hours. Scoop has expanded its offerings by building out a bar space that now serves alcoholic coffee and ice cream treats. Scoop is branding the recently opened bar addition as […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Arlington’s offering lunch and cocktails
The Arlington’s downtown event venue is now open for lunch and evening cocktails in what owner Brian Reilly is calling a “Session Pop Up.” Arlington’s, located at 210 Broadway, is now serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a cocktail menu from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lunch […]