A new retail strip center is planned for Liberty Drive in Springfield. RAM Innovations, LLC obtained a building permit June 29 to begin building Liberty Plaza, a 9,000-square-foot retail center at 3450 Liberty Dr. RAM Innovations is owned by Ramprasad Talluri, who also owns Sky Zone Springfield trampoline park. Liberty Plaza will be located on […]
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Electric Ave. opens shop with only American-made clothes
By Patrick Yeagle Chris Rowden likes to point out that the American Revolution started with a boycott on imported goods. “They were taking our raw textiles to Europe, making goods and then selling them back to us,” he said. Rowden’s new shop, Electric Ave. Clothier, is in a similar vein as the Great Experiment: selling […]
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Pleasant Park Apartments poised for approval
The Springfield City Council is poised to approve a large scale development known as Pleasant Park Apartments. The apartments would be located at 4700 Ash Grove Drive and would include 17 apartment buildings with 12 units each. Springfield developer Corky Joyner is spearheading the project. Joyner is also responsible for a handful of retail strip […]
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State lawmakers pass budget, veto override pending
Illinois may soon have a full budget for the first time in two years, thanks to a handful of Republicans who voted for two budget bills and an accompanying tax increase bill. The Illinois General Assembly passed the trio of bills last week, and the Illinois Senate has already voted on July 4 to override […]
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Marine veteran opens self-defense course
By Debby Hernandez After retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2010, Thomas Altevogt decided to instruct Commando Krav Maga, an Israeli combat system. Now, he teaches the martial art in Springfield. Altevogt said he learned about CKM in the Marines, where he did combined training with the Israeli military. In combined training, each military […]
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Why buy SPI? The importance of supporting local businesses
BY VAL YAZELL PRESIDENT OF LOCAL FIRST SPRINGFIELD “Think local first.” You have likely heard this phrase used by the independently owned businesses in our community. It is the calling card for Local First Springfield, a not-for-profit group of local independent businesses in the greater Springfield area. But what exactly does it mean to you, […]
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More than it seems – Inside Hope Inclusion Café and Play
By Patrick Yeagle A young worker circles pictures of bread, meat, cheese and toppings on a colorful laminated sheet as he takes a customer’s order at Hope Inclusion Café and Play. It’s one of the very few clues that this is a special place, and it’s supposed to be that way. The cafe opened on […]
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The minimum wage battle – Possible minimum wage increase divides business community
BY MONICA STABILE The Illinois General Assembly’s approval last month of a measure to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour over a five-year period has drawn mixed reviews among the business community. Warning that a potential increase in the minimum wage could lead to Illinois becoming less competitive, some business groups say employers […]
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Springfield Chamber earns five-star accreditation
By Patrick Yeagle The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce received five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week. The accreditation amounts to an endorsement of the Springfield Chamber’s management and mission, and it’s the second time the chamber has earned the designation. “I kind of like to think of it as our Good […]
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A passion for public learning – Will O’Hearn takes over at Lincoln Library
By Patrick Yeagle William “Will” O’Hearn jokes that he started his career in library science at age 16, although he was less concerned with learning at the time and more concerned with earning money for gas. However, that early exposure blossomed into a love for public libraries. The Springfield City Council confirmed O’Hearn to lead […]
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Kidzeum to begin construction in July
A children’s museum to be located downtown is slated to begin construction early next month, following an eight-year fundraising effort. Kidzeum of Health and Science will be located at 412 E. Adams St., in the Schnepp and Barnes Building. The long-anticipated museum has received support from several partners, including HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, SIU […]
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Hedley Plaza permit approved – Building permit roundup
A new retail strip center slated for construction on Springfield’s west side received a building permit this week. Hedley Plaza, to be located at 3141 Hedley Road, will have five tenant spaces. The development is a project of Ryan Homes and Development Inc. of Springfield. The company couldn’t be reached for details, but a web […]