Area residents were holding out hope that the Joann fabrics store in Springfield would survive the retailer’s planned closures, but the company announced Feb. 24 that it will close all of its 831 stores nationwide. In January, the Ohio-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in a year, citing sluggish […]
Comings & Goings
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Former Hooters property to be auctioned
The former Hooters restaurant in Springfield is getting ready to go up for auction. Commercial real estate website Loopnet.com lists 3241 Horizon Drive as scheduled for auction Feb. 24-26, with a starting bid of $190,000 for the 4,262-square-foot building. The property is listed with broker Daniel Elliot of SRS Real Estate Partners, a Dallas-based commercial real […]
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Pop-Up Chicken Shop opening Springfield location
A new chicken restaurant is moving into the former KFC on West Jefferson Street in Springfield. Aaron Francis launched Pop-Up Chicken Shop in Bloomington in 2018 and opened a second location in Peoria last year. A third location is now in the works for Springfield, but he said he has even bigger plans. “I’m licensing […]
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Three Twigs owners to take over The Railyard
Dec. 24 was the last day of operations for Three Twigs & Co., but owners Emily and Tim Lewis said at the time they intended to bring back the business in some form. The next phase is now taking shape, as the couple has signed a lease for The Railyard property at 2242 S. Sixth […]
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Harvest Kitchen + Bar opens in Prairie Crossing
A mother-daughter team has launched Harvest Kitchen + Bar, serving American classics with a twist, at 4241 Conestoga Drive. Odette Yobal, who co-owns the new venture with her mother, Vivian Dominguez, described it to SBJ as “an elevated aesthetic but still affordable and approachable for everybody.” Related The current menu includes breakfast staples such as pancakes, […]
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Kelsey Harms opening Café Amulet in Petersburg
Feb. 23 is the final day of operations for 1st and 3rd Boutique and Wine Bar in Petersburg, but the business will soon reopen with a new name and different focus. “We’ll be closing on the building the following week,” said Kelsey Harms, who is purchasing the property at 105 S. Seventh St. from Liz […]
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Papo’s Cafe and FED Kitchen merge
A Springfield restaurant and a meal prep service have joined forces and unveiled a new business model. “Essentially, Will Hoecker and I are merging both entities into one,” said Celeste Malham, co-owner of FED Kitchen, of the new partnership with Papo’s Café. “It’s kind of like Pease’s does with BUNN Gourmet.” Celeste and her husband, […]
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The Lumpia House opens on MacArthur Boulevard
The Lumpia House, a restaurant serving traditional Filipino food, has opened following a successful trial run of its food truck with a similar name. Rolando Cabral and his wife, Myrna Balabag, launched The Lumpia Truck in September while in the process of identifying a brick-and-mortar location. Meanwhile, Travelers Kitchen, 1731 S. MacArthur Blvd., closed Oct. […]
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Wing It On! coming to Springfield
A Springfield business owner and entrepreneur has signed a franchise agreement to bring Wing It On! to the capital city. Founded in 2011, Wing It On! serves buffalo-style wings, tenders and chicken sandwiches with 24 signature flavors, both sauces and rubs. “I love chicken wings,” said Billy Wilder, the Springfield franchisee, who also owns Gracie […]
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Japan House to replace Empire Korean Steakhouse
Empire Korean Steakhouse and Bar is preparing to close, but the space will promptly transition to a new restaurant concept operated by the same family. “My dad is taking over the business operations,” said Kevin Huang, who has been running Empire Korean Steakhouse since it opened in October 2022. Huang said the new restaurant, Japan […]
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New day care built on Springfield’s west side
Many parents have struggled since the pandemic to find quality child care. The upcoming opening of Kardinal Kids, 260 S. Bradfordton Road, will help fill this need. Started by Kasi Maisenbacher and her husband, Ryan, Kardinal Kids came to fruition because of this lack of child care. The property, just west of Route 97, has […]
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Golden Hour Bake House opening Feb. 8
Golden Hour Bake House will open Feb. 8 at 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, and the business will now feature a breakfast and lunch menu in addition to baked goods. In 2023, Alli Donaldson launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund her dream of opening a brick-and-mortar location for her business. She had been […]