Chris Hembrough, the president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) since July 2014, has announced that he will be stepping down on Nov. 30 to take a new strategic and business development role with Peerless Cleaning & Restoration Services. “I am extremely proud of the work the Chamber team, including staff […]
Columns
Posted inColumns
Former Family Video to become Gopuff micro-fulfillment center
The former Family Video store at 1614 S. MacArthur Blvd. will soon be used to house a Gopuff micro-fulfillment center, pending approval by the Springfield City Council at the Aug. 17 meeting. Gopuff, a delivery service based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently operates more than 450 sites nationwide, including 285 micro-fulfillment centers, according to Abigail […]
Posted inColumns
Dan Frachey launches Legacy Weavers Video
When one door closes, another door opens. And that is exactly what happened to Dan Frachey, former program director of the Chiara Center in Springfield. In February 2021, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis made the difficult decision to close the doors of their retreat center permanently after being shuttered for a year due to […]
Posted inColumns
Lonzerotti’s in Jacksonville will reopen this fall with a new name and menu
Lonzerotti’s Italia Restaurant, a Jacksonville staple since 1987, has a new owner who plans to change the name and menu offerings when it reopens this fall. The original owners, Mike and Betty Goldasich, transformed the historic Chicago and Alton Railroad station building at 600 E. State St. into an Italian restaurant more than three decades […]
Posted inColumns
Corrine’s Closet opens second location in White Oaks Mall
Corrine Campbell opened Corrine’s Closet in downtown Springfield in October 2018 and is now hoping to reach a new audience with a second location at White Oaks Mall. “The downtown crowd says they don’t go to the mall, and people on the west side have preconceived notions that there’s no parking or nothing going on […]
Posted inColumns
Thomas Rechner rejoins Hanson Professional Services
Thomas Rechner, CAM practice/construction observation resident project representative, recently rejoined Hanson Professional Services Inc. Working at the Springfield headquarters, he will provide construction management and construction observation for all phases of the new Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center, the first phase of which is building the Sangamon Mass Transit District transfer center. Rechner, who previously worked […]
Posted inColumns
Daily Stealz & Furniture has opened at White Oaks Mall
Daily Stealz & Furniture of Springfield has opened at White Oaks Mall. The business sells items at a flat rate, but the price drops each day. “It is an experiential shopping destination that is likened to a treasure hunt,” said Adrienne Hood, general manager for White Oaks Mall. “This business model is gaining in popularity […]
Posted inColumns
Art gallery, gift shop and cafe to open in former Robbie’s space
Although he’s spent more than two decades in the construction industry, Michael Wiest said opening an art gallery is a natural fit for him. “I’ve been an artist all of my life; that’s my first love,” he said. “I have a master’s degree in fine arts and architecture.” His wife, Mary, and Dr. Carmen Chase […]
Posted inColumns
Chatham Cafe opening second location in Springfield
Chatham Café is coming to Springfield. Lu Asani, who co-owns the restaurant along with her husband, Kevin, confirms that the couple has signed a three-year lease with an option to purchase for the former McDonalds restaurant at 1825 S. MacArthur Boulevard. Chatham Café has been located at 414 N. Main Plaza in Chatham since 2015, […]
Posted inColumns
Adam Coers joins Graham & Hyde Architects.
Adam Coers has joined the design team of Graham & Hyde Architects, 1010 Clocktower Drive. Coers specializes in the education and commercial sectors in both an architectural and structural capacity. He has more than nine years of experience in the construction industry, including with Farnsworth Group and Morton Buildings. “Adam is an ideal team member,” […]
Posted inColumns
Building permit roundup – July 19-July 25
Lake Pointe Storage, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for 6420 and 6230 S. Sixth Street Frontage Road East. Trachte Building Systems is the contractor and the project is valued at $550,000. Carpenter Street Hotel, LLC obtained a commercial fence permit at 525 N. Sixth St. The contractor is Hotel Ventures Development and the project […]
Posted inColumns
Sonepar USA to acquire Springfield Electric Supply
Sonepar USA, a subsidiary of the privately held Sonepar Group, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Springfield Electric Supply Company, expanding its presence in the Midwest. Springfield Electric is a family-owned business headquartered in Springfield since 1912 that offers a full line of products and services to electrical contractor and commercial […]