A new child care center is preparing to open in Springfield, which will be the third location for a local business owner. Janene Purdon-Menke plans to open the first phase of Little Yellow Wagon, 2160 S. Sixth St., by August, which will serve kids age three to five years old. By November, she hopes to […]
Comings & Goings
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Eck, Schafer, & Punke acquires Pehlman & Dold, doubles office space
Accounting firm Eck, Schafer, & Punke has acquired another practice and significantly expanded its downtown office. ESP was founded in 1994 and has always been headquartered in downtown Springfield, although not in the same building. The firm moved to its current location, 227 S. Seventh St., in 2014 and originally occupied the second floor. Conn’s […]
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NAPA Auto Parts to open in Chatham
McKay NAPA Auto Parts, headquartered in Litchfield, is preparing to open a Chatham location. The former Family Video store at 210 N. Main St. is currently undergoing renovations. McKay Corporation was established in 1937 and became aligned with NAPA in 2003. Since then, McKay has expanded from 16 stores to 26 stores, stretching from Mt. Sterling […]
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Studio on 6th has new owner
Jenny Suttill, who calls herself a hairdresser by trade, is now also the new owner of Studio on 6th, an artist co-op in downtown Springfield. “I am officially the fourth owner,” said Suttill, who has been involved with the business at 215 S. Sixth St. since November 2019. “Our previous owner, Laura Camp, is one […]
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Coz’s Pizza owners, landlord involved in legal dispute
The owners of Coz’s Pizza and Pub and the longtime property owner are embroiled in a legal dispute, which appears to have led to the announcement that July 27 will be the last day of operations for the business at its current location. Louis and Elsa Ezzo purchased Coz’s Pizza and Pub in March 2023, […]
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Vine & Rind to hold grand opening July 26
Vine & Rind, a wine bar, cheese shop and bistro on Springfield’s west side, is holding a grand opening on Saturday, July 26. Chelsey Ziebler launched Ta Da Catering three years ago, and the business has expanded to include a brick-and-mortar location with additional offerings. “Vine & Rind will be our storefront for wine and […]
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Skechers to open store in Springfield
Skechers is planning to open its first freestanding store in Springfield. A company spokesperson told SBJ a late August or early September opening is tentatively planned for the store at 2691 Veterans Parkway. The space is currently being remodeled following the departure of Treasure Hunt Deals, which relocated to 2930 Constitution Dr., across from Target, […]
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Creative Reuse Marketplace relocates to White Oaks Mall
Creative Reuse Marketplace has reopened in White Oaks Mall on the upper level next to Malibu Jack’s. CRM is much more than a retail store. It is a nonprofit organization that inspires creativity, provides a place to donate items for reuse, keeps materials out of the landfill and engages in educational programs with art as […]
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Another downtown Springfield business closes
The Keep Store, Springfield’s first refillery, has joined a growing list of downtown businesses that have announced closures over the past few weeks. A July 12 Facebook post announced the business at 314 E. Adams St. had closed its doors for good. The statement from owners Ami and Mike Shelton noted they had considered relocating […]
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Don Smith Paint closes
A “business closed” sign is posted on the Don Smith Paint Co. building at 1724 S. MacArthur Blvd. The closure appears to be permanent, as the website and Facebook page for the business are no longer active. Google also lists the location in Bloomington as permanently closed. The Carlinville location had already closed in March […]
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Downtown property owner seeks TIF assistance
Mike Alwood retired from CWLP last fall, but he has already taken on a new career and is now preparing to renovate a historic building downtown to house his office. Alwood, a U.S. Navy veteran, began working as a lineman for CWLP after his military service ended. After more than three decades, he retired as […]
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Maryflor Mexican Restaurant will close
It’s said that bad news comes in threes, and Maryflor Mexican Restaurant became the third downtown business in just two weeks to announce it would be closing. A notice posted on the door at 2 Old State Capitol Plaza Monday stated the restaurant would permanently close July 20. It read in part: “After years of […]