National Retail Properties, LP in care of Road Ranger, LLC obtained a commercial permit for a new parking lot at 3531 E. Lumber Lane. The contractor is unknown and the project is valued at $180,000. Cali, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 2805 S. West White Oaks Drive. The contractor is John […]
Columns
IC BBQ opening on Springfield’s north end
An accountant and entertainer have teamed up to bring a new barbeque restaurant to Springfield. IC BBQ is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 24 in the former Turbo Fire Pizza space at 2415 N. Dirksen Parkway. Jason Shields owns Shields Accounting Services, a private accounting firm with offices in Springfield and Panama City, Florida. […]
Bella Boutique to add Bar Bella
A bar might seem like an odd business venture to pair with a women’s boutique, but Elizabeth “Liz” Eckert is used to trying new things. She became the new owner of Bella Boutique, 2805 W. White Oaks Dr., shortly before the pandemic led to the closure of all non-essential businesses, including her store. Unable to […]
Grateful Coffee Co. opens on Toronto Road
Grateful Coffee Co. has opened at 1370 Toronto Road in Springfield, and the owners say the name is intended to pay tribute to everyone who has helped them achieve their dream of opening a small business. Owners Brandon and Cana Austin are friends with Emily and Tim Lewis, who previously operated Three Twigs Bakery out […]
Building permit roundup April 5-April 11
Bovine, LLC obtained a commercial accessory structure permit for 3150 S. Stanton Street. The contractor is Alpha Dog Marketing and the project is valued at $5,000. Trinity Lutheran Church obtained a commercial roofing permit for 220 S. Second St. The contractor is Williams Roofing and construction and the project is valued at $3,360. The Sangamon […]
Governor appoints four new commissioners to Mid-Illinois Medical District
Gov. JB Pritzker has appointed four new commission members to the Mid-Illinois Medical District, established in 2003 by the Illinois General Assembly to help promote growth in a one-square-mile area just north of downtown Springfield. Dr. Charlene Aaron, chancellor of St. John’s College of Nursing; Dr. Egbe Egiebor, director of the environmental health program and […]
Katie Davison leaving Innovate Springfield to return to NIU
Katie Davison is returning to Northern Illinois University, this time as director of state relations. “I was there for almost 14 years prior to Innovate Springfield,” said Davison, who has served as executive director of the social innovation and business incubator, located at 15 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, since its founding in 2016. In […]
Whiskey Jack’s Sports Bar to open in downtown Springfield
There will soon be a new addition to downtown Springfield when Whiskey Jack’s Sports Bar opens at 430 E. Monroe. Craft Beer Bar, the previous business at that location, continued to offer outdoor seating into November due to the mild weather, but then closed and did not reopen even when public health guidelines allowed bars […]
Building permit roundup March 29-April 4
LV Springfield, LLC in care of SLK Global Solutions America, obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3201 S. West White Oaks Drive. Milliman Construction is the contractor and the project is valued at $250,000. Kelp, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 2601 S. Chatham Road. The contractor is O’Shea Builders and the […]
New Papa John’s in Parkway Pointe to replace Chatham Road location
The former Subway restaurant at 3422 Freedom Dr. is being converted to a Papa John’s Pizza location, which will replace the nearby Papa John’s on Chatham Road. Pending city inspections, the new location is scheduled to open on April 8. The local director of operations, Jamie Cartwright, said in a written statement, “The new location […]
Spaghetti Shop to partner with Turbo Fire Pizza
Both Spaghetti Shop locations in Springfield will soon be offering pizza, in addition to pasta, thanks to a new partnership with Turbo Fire Pizza. Brian Carter purchased the Spaghetti Shop franchise in December 2019 after a chance encounter with Calvin Kirk, his former employer. In an interview with SBJ last year, he explained, “I worked […]
Million’s Crab opening in Springfield April 1
Million’s Crab Boiled Seafood, a Cajun seafood chain based in Ohio, is opening on April 1 in the former TGI Fridays space at 2100 W. White Oaks Dr. Marketing director Commi Tong confirmed to SBJ that the restaurant will open at 5 p.m. Thursday for a soft opening. Million’s Crab was originally scheduled to open […]

