A former restaurant in a historic Springfield neighborhood has new owners who plan to reopen it with a different focus. Eric and Sierra Ferrell purchased the property at 724 E. Edwards St. in April for $110,000, according to Sangamon County tax records. The historic two-story building just south of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site […]
Comings & Goings
Simplex sells to Canadian company
Simplex, one of Springfield’s largest manufacturing companies, has been sold to a Canadian-based company for $28 million. Simplex was founded in 1934 in Burlington, Iowa, by Michael Debrey, according to the company’s website. A Hungarian immigrant and self-taught inventor, Debrey introduced multiple innovations to the electrical engineering field. The company later operated out of East […]
Entertainment complex with food court under construction in Legacy Pointe
A new entertainment complex and indoor/outdoor food court is under construction in Legacy Pointe. A group of local developers has broken ground for Legends Entertainment, a 46,000-square-foot complex that will house a food court with five local restaurants, two bars, a bowling alley and gaming for both kids and adults. While plans for the new […]
Groundbreaking for Friendly Honda expansion
Friendly Honda of Springfield will hold a groundbreaking ceremony June 20 for a major renovation and expansion of the dealership at 2500 Prairie Crossing Drive. The year-long renovation aims to modernize the dealership’s facilities, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. Key aspects of the renovation include a modernized showroom, upgraded service center with additional service bays […]
New ownership for The Track Shack
The Track Shack has been owned and operated by the same family since 1959, but that is about to change. Joe Jannazzo, who has owned the iconic bar and grill at 233 E. Laurel St. since 1979, told SBJ that he is selling the business to Todd Rauthenberg. Rauthenberg most recently served as the general […]
Fourth Springfield location for Club Car Wash
Club Car Wash is preparing to open its fourth Springfield location in four years. A “coming soon” sign is on display at 1700 W. Jefferson St. But unlike the first three locations, this one will involve remodeling an existing car wash rather than new construction. Niemann Holdings LLC purchased the property in April 2021 for […]
County Market to permanently close pharmacies
The pharmacies in all three of Springfield’s remaining County Market locations, as well as one in Chatham, will permanently close as of June 12. All ongoing prescriptions have been purchased by CVS. Customers will be able to fill their prescriptions at any CVS location in Springfield, according to a spokesperson for Quincy-based Niemann Foods, which […]
Cowork Springfield opens on west side
Cowork Springfield has launched to provide flexible workspaces for small businesses looking for an alternative to working from home or in traditional offices. “We saw a growing need in Springfield for a space that offers both flexibility and a sense of connection,” said John Curry, CEO and founder of Cowork Springfield, 2532 Farragut Drive. “This […]
Myers Building sells at auction for $500K
The Myers Building in downtown Springfield will celebrate its 100th anniversary in September, and the historic property now has a new owner after three generations of ownership by the Myers family. Marcus & Millichap, a commercial real estate firm, initially announced plans to auction the property in December, but it was later extended to allow […]
Future of Wyndham is uncertain
It may be many months before the Wyndham Springfield City Centre Hotel can reopen. The 370-room, 30-story hotel at 700 E. Adams St. in downtown Springfield was damaged by internal flooding on March 27 and has been closed since then. An initial estimate from the Wyndham’s owner that the hotel would be closed for up […]
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase launches 5th Street Gem
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase says she’s putting her money where her mouth is and launching her own business, 5th Street Gem, in a newly renovated building downtown after years of encouraging other entrepreneurs to invest in the area. “I have a true passion for our downtown, and not just because I represent part of […]
Renovations underway for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop
Renovations have begun on a downtown building that is slated to become a coffee shop, bakery and wine bar. Plans for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop were initially announced last fall, but co-owner Ashley Rickenbach said the scale of renovations needed to turn the former hair salon at 225 S. Sixth St. into a space with […]

