The Wakery, a late-night coffee shop and dry bar planned for downtown Springfield, is moving closer to becoming a reality. Owner Elizabeth Wake said she’s signed a lease for 5 Old State Capitol Plaza, which previously housed Long Nine Junction. The restaurant closed in February 2021 when owners Corey and Emily Faucon moved to Petersburg […]
Comings & Goings
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FitBodies opening in new location on Constitution Drive
FitBodies opens today in a new location at 3430 Constitution Drive. “This is our third move, and last one, I hope,” said Chris Schmulbach, who started the gym in 2017 along with his wife, Kendra. Initially, FitBodies occupied a 1,500-square-foot building on South MacArthur Boulevard and outgrew that space after the first year. For the […]
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Conn’s Hospitality Group to open 7th Street Cidery on Oct. 14
Conn’s Hospitality Group will open 7th Street Cidery, the first craft cidery in central Illinois, on Friday, Oct. 14. The building at 503 S. Seventh St. most recently housed Wm. Van’s Coffee House, which closed in April. At the time, Karen Conn, owner and CEO of Conn’s Hospitality Group, told SBJ that relocating Wm. Van’s […]
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Casa Real to reopen in Legacy Pointe Oct. 12
Casa Real’s last day of operations at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Veterans Parkway was May 29, and the building at 3100 W. White Oaks Drive has now been demolished to make way for the construction of Springfield’s first Raising Cane’s, a fast-food restaurant specializing in chicken fingers. Owner Jose Lopez had already signed […]
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The Range Bourbon & Brew opens in Chatham
Bourbon lovers now have a new option to quench their thirst. The Range Bourbon & Brew has opened in Chatham, occupying the space at 316 N. Main Plaza that previously housed 3Sixteen Wine Bar. The wine bar closed in February of this year. However, previous patrons of 3Sixteen will notice some changes to the interior. […]
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New Mel-O-Cream Donuts opens on Yucan Drive
The newest retail location for Mel-O-Cream Donuts is now open at 4411 Yucan Drive. Mel-O-Cream occupies 1,300 square feet on the west end of the strip center built by Joyner Construction Services earlier this year at the corner of Yucan Drive and Archer Elevator Road. Springfield resident Amanda Crossland acquired the four existing retail locations […]
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Rob Wilbern bringing Potbelly Sandwich Shop to Springfield
Springfield will soon have its first Potbelly Sandwich Shop. Rob Wilbern, a certified public accountant who also owns Robert’s Automotive and several other businesses in Springfield, has signed a franchise agreement with the parent company for Potbelly. Wilbern will open a total of five restaurants throughout Springfield, Decatur and Champaign, although the exact locations and […]
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Three Twigs Bakery & Bistro will be joining Biscuits + Brunch and The Salted Lemon – Market & Creamery under one roof
Emily Lewis said she always envisioned combining her three businesses into one location, but now Three Twigs Bakery & Bistro will be joining Biscuits + Brunch and The Salted Lemon – Market & Creamery sooner than anticipated. “We knew one day we wanted to create a beautiful space of our own where we would build […]
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Roots Latin Grill adding Socavon, a bar and lounge
Roots Latin Grill is expanding with the addition of a bar and lounge just two doors down from the restaurant. “A lot of customers go to the restaurant just to get drinks,” said owner Luis Morales. “I wanted to make a lounge and bar with more of a restaurant vibe on the quality of drinks. […]
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Bungee fitness classes are coming to Springfield, with Bungee by Dene Fitness
A new concept in fitness is coming to Springfield, with Bungee by Dene Fitness slated to open at 4315 Yucan Drive by the end of the year. Owner Dene Romanotto previously taught group fitness classes at the YMCA of Springfield and Rocket Fitness in Rochester. “I had some injuries, and not having the ability to […]
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Empire Korean Steakhouse and Bar opening Oct. 1
A new concept is coming to Springfield as Empire Korean Steakhouse and Bar prepares to open Oct. 1. Co-owner Kevin Huang said his father owns the real estate at 2100 W. White Oaks Dr., which was initially leased to TGI Fridays. The restaurant closed in March 2020 during the statewide stay-at-home order and never reopened. […]
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Truckin Good Food to open permanent location at Slauterhouse Brewing
Truckin Good Food launched a little less than a year ago and owner Nick Boucher is now preparing to expand to a second food truck, thanks to a partnership with Slauterhouse Brewing Co. in Auburn. Boucher started the business in October 2021 working part-time with one employee while also working as the kitchen manager at […]