Dr. Jerry Kruse joined the SIU School of Medicine faculty in 1984 and has served the organization in many leadership roles, including the past 10 years as dean and provost of Springfield-based Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and president and CEO of SIU Medicine, the medical school’s multispecialty group practice of doctors. Kruse has […]
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Salt & Light Wellness to open
Dr. Deepa Cyriac-Thirunelli is preparing for the grand opening of her Salt and Light Wellness center. Salt and Light, located at 3471 Freedom Drive, recently wrapped up a two-week soft launch, during which friends and supporters — or as Cyriac-Thirunelli refers to them, her “founders circle”— had the opportunity to sample the wellness center’s offerings. […]
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Hilltop Nursery acquires Pool Center
The owners of Hilltop Nursery in Sherman are acquiring the Pool Center of Springfield in a deal that will close April 1. Jordan Powell, who owns Hilltop along with his wife, Megan, said they had been looking for opportunities to get into the pool industry to complement Hilltop’s garden center and landscape design and installation […]
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UCB names new president, CFO
United Community Bank (UCB) has announced that David J. Drennan has been named president of the bank and elected to the bank’s board of directors, and Kayla Mahaffay-Musson has returned to the organization as chief financial officer. Drennan has served in multiple leadership roles during his 20 years with UCB. Most recently serving as chief […]
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Bite and Brew coming to West Jefferson
A new restaurant is in the works for the former KFC on West Jefferson Street in Springfield. Lexhol Inc. applied for a liquor license to operate a restaurant listed as Bite and Brew, which was approved March 3 by the Springfield City Council. The 1850 W. Jefferson St. property was acquired in February 2025 by […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – March 9 to March 15
Kent Plaza Associates LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2777 S. Sixth St. Contractor is Able Construction and the project is valued at $948,000. Blackstone Group received a commercial remodel permit for 1987 Wabash Ave. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $14.1 million. Springfield JA LLC received a commercial accessory […]
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Rancho Chico owners have new restaurant in the works
It’s out with the old and in the new at 1101 Wabash Ave., with Moroleon TropicalMexican Restaurant recently closing and Puerto Vallarta, also a Mexican restaurant,gearing up to take its place. Ana Rodriguez and Bruno Chavez, the husband-and-wife team who also own theRancho Chico restaurant on East Stanford Avenue in southeast Springfield, areplanning to open […]
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Public gets hot over Park-n-Chill
The Springfield Park District has issued a request for proposals from vendors interested in operating the Washington Park concession stand that has been home to the Park-N-Chill ice cream shop for nearly a decade. The move has prompted an outcry of support on social media for Park-N-Chill and its operators. Park-N-Chill supporters also attended a […]
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Kirsten Taylor joins Hickory Point Bank
Kirsten Taylor has joined Hickory Point Bank as a mortgage loan originator for the Springfield area. She will work out of the branch at 3131 W. Wabash Ave. in Springfield. “We are excited to welcome Kirsten to our Springfield team,” said Jeff Raes, Hickory Point Bank executive vice president. “The addition strengthens our successful lending […]
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Farmers market vendor opens brick-and-mortar store
Keila Stapleton, whose handmade pastas have become a regular part of the local farmers market scene, is expanding with the addition of a retail location. Stapleton has opened Pasta Al Dente by Keila at 731 North Grand Ave. East, in the former location of Sam’s Pizza. Pasta Al Dente will offer a rotating menu of […]
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Vinegar Hill Mall up for auction
Conn’s Hospitality Group announced on Monday that it is closing Wm. Van’s Café as the company seeks to consolidate to stabilize its overall operations. “We’ve been analyzing the numbers and really just taking a look at the reality of today’s economy,” said Karen Conn, CEO of Conn’s Hospitality Group. “The decision Monday morning was we’ve […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – March 2 to March 8
Westgate SC LLC received a commercial permit (New shell) for 2901 West White Oaks Drive. Contractor is Sri Karthik and the project is valued at $1 million. El Verto Holdings LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3100 Atlanta St. Contractor is Michael Froming Inc. and the project is valued at $190,000. Climate Controlled Holdings […]