The small brick building at 1101 S. Ninth St. has a new name, a new motif and a new menu. A retro diner, The Fountain on 66, has opened in the building that many Springfield natives still remember as Sonrise Donuts. It opened in 1947 and lasted more than four decades, until owner Don Greenslade […]
Comings & Goings
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Coltin Cunningham launches Alpha Dog Inspections
Coltin Cunningham says he hopes his new business, Alpha Dog Inspections, will help others avoid the challenges that his family had to face. “It was a seven-year saga with our little girl,” Cunningham said. Shortly after he and his wife brought their youngest child home from the hospital, she began experiencing numerous health problems and […]
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Jerk Shop Go closes
Jerk Shop Go has been through several changes during the five years the business has been open, but now the Caribbean restaurant is ceasing operations. “We will be closing our doors as of June 23, effective immediately,” owner Kadejia Berkley told SBJ. Berkley originally opened Jerk Shop Go in a small space downtown at 213 […]
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Wellman Financial Services and Cornerstone Financial Services merge
Three certified financial planners have joined forces to create Navigator Wealth Strategies, a Springfield-based financial planning firm serving central Illinois. Brandon Wellman opened a new Prudential Financial office in 2017, originally operating out of leased space on Wabash Avenue. Four years later, he purchased a building at 6300 S. Sixth St. to allow for expansion […]
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Vondra Social House to open this fall
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]