A new specialty business catering to men is in the works on Springfield’s west side. The Crafted Stag Supply is the brainchild of Grant and Jennifer Hammer, who purchased the property at 3455 Freedom Dr. in May and hope to be open for business by spring 2024. “It will be a men’s clothing and gift […]
Comings & Goings
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The Keep Store reopening
The Keep Store, Springfield’s first and only refillery, has moved one door down to 312 E. Adams St. “The previous space was very segmented,” said owner Ami Shelton. “People walk in now thinking we have double the inventory, and I tell them, ‘No, you can just see it all now.’” While the total square footage […]
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Groundbreaking for Scheels Sports Park
Ceremonial shovels turning over dirt Sept. 20 signaled the start of construction for a $67 million sports complex that city officials said will make Springfield a popular destination for young people competing on traveling athletic teams from throughout the Midwest and beyond. “This puts Springfield on the map for sports tourism,” Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher […]
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Makeover Dental opens in Springfield
Secure Dental has a new name and a new owner. Dr. Jorge Mosquera purchased the dental practice at 687 E. Linton Ave. as of Sept. 1 and plans to rebrand it as Makeover Dental. “We’re planning to build an implant center; that’s going to be our main focus,” said David Gallego, the practice manager. “Dr. […]
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Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market opens
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market has opened in Montvale Junction, the latest venture from longtime Springfield restaurateurs Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti. The restaurant held a soft opening Sept. 20 and then posted on Facebook “to say we are overwhelmed with the flood of customers would be an understatement. …We’re almost out of everything and […]
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Five Below opening new stores in Springfield, Jacksonville
Five Below has announced a second store in Springfield and a new location in Jacksonville as part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans. Citing “momentum” from 2022 holiday sales, Five Below announced plans earlier this year to open more than 200 new stores in fiscal 2023. The retailer targets teens and tweens with merchandise that […]
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Chase closing downtown branch
Chase has announced the closure of its downtown Springfield branch, four years after significantly downsizing that location. In a Sept. 13 letter sent to customers, Chase informed clients the branch at 531 E. Washington St. will be closing Dec. 12 and referred customers to the location at 200 S. Dirksen Parkway. Chase also has a […]
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Last day of operations for Sportsman’s Lounge
Every seat was filled at Sportsman’s Lounge at lunchtime Friday, with the announcement that it would be the final day of operations for the longtime neighborhood restaurant and tavern. The bar has operated under various names since 1935 and as Sportsman’s Lounge since 1957. Four local investors, Greg Sronce, Matthew Davlin, Zach Washko and Dan […]
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The Railyard, an outdoor food venue, opening soon
The Railyard, an outdoor food venue based around shipping containers, is expected to open within 30 days. The property is just north of the newly constructed overpass on South Sixth Street, part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Projects. Initially announced in 2021, there have been some adjustments to the original plans. “We were planning on […]
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Fluorescent Reefs opens on West Jefferson
A unique retail business has recently transitioned from online-only to a brick-and-mortar location. Fluorescent Reefs opened Aug. 14 at 615 W. Jefferson St., Suite B. “The store is brand-new,” said Dustin Shreves, who co-owns the business with his wife, Jen Shreves. “We were online for about three-and-a-half years; we sold coral on Instagram and also […]
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Bigley Insurance Agency opens
Bigley Insurance Agency has opened at 677 Linton Ave. as of Sept. 5. Owner Nicole Bigley worked for the AAA Insurance corporate office for five years, first as an insurance agent in the Springfield branch and later as an assistant manager overseeing the Springfield, Champaign, Bloomington and Peoria offices. The AAA Insurance office at 1915 […]
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Owner of Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Jacksonville shifting focus
Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Jacksonville has closed, but owner Mike Hayes said the property will reopen next month with a different focus. Hayes, a Jacksonville native and real estate developer, opened Waters Edge Winery at 1061 East Morton Ave in May 2021. It was the 19th franchise for the California-based company, which specializes […]