Vondra Social House, just south of Lincoln Home Historic Site on Edwards Street, inhabits a quaint and historic two-story brick structure. The building was brought back from the brink of ruin in 2007 and operated as a restaurant under various owners until closing at the end of 2024. With a front porch that spans the […]
Columns
Posted inPhilanthropy
The Foundation Academy
While some jobs may be replaced by machinery or artificial intelligence, jobs that require people to collaborate and use soft skills are irreplaceable. Soft skills are those personal attributes and interpersonal skills that shape how people work together. Communication, teamwork, adaptability and emotional intelligence are examples and transfer across roles and industries. These skills set […]
Posted inAsk an Attorney
New laws for 2026
It’s that time of year again when we explore what our legislature has been up to this past year. In a case of the state actually trying to be helpful, cocktails to go (first introduced during COVID-19 restrictions) are now permanent, which should be a boon to the restaurant industry. The state created a new […]
Posted inColumns
Q&A with Sara Vanhala
Sara Vanhala has worked for Growth Corp for nearly 20 years and assumed the role of president Jan. 1, succeeding Doug Kinley after his 35-year tenure. She currently chairs the board of the National Association of Development Companies and leads Growth Corp’s annual delegation to Washington, D.C., to collaborate with policymakers and SBA officials. Vanhala […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Scoop Du Jour expands
Scoop Du Jour, the popular ice cream, donut and coffee shop in Chatham, has brewed up a new plan to attract business beyond the morning hours. Scoop has expanded its offerings by building out a bar space that now serves alcoholic coffee and ice cream treats. Scoop is branding the recently opened bar addition as […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Arrowroot Coffee opening downtown Jan. 31
While drive-thru coffee kiosks have proliferated around town over the seven years Arrowroot Coffee Co. has been in business, owner Jacob Dinardo said his focus is on building community rather than a grab-and-go culture. Along those lines, he has spent more than a year extensively renovating the former Recycled Records building at 625 E. Adams […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Arlington’s offering lunch and cocktails
The Arlington’s downtown event venue is now open for lunch and evening cocktails in what owner Brian Reilly is calling a “Session Pop Up.” Arlington’s, located at 210 Broadway, is now serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a cocktail menu from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lunch […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Shabby Shack relocates, expands
After more than a decade in business, Roxy and Greg Herr have purchased their own building to allow them to continue to expand the Shabby Shack boutique. The Shabby Shack opened last week in its new, larger location at 1533 Wabash Ave. The boutique, which sells everything from hand-painted furniture to artist-designed clothing and accessories, […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Quinton Wadkins joins Warren-Boynton
Quinton Wadkins has joined Warren-Boynton State Bank as vice president of commercial lending, based out of the New Berlin office. He most recently worked as a commercial lender with Heartland Bank & Trust Company and worked in several roles with FNB Community Bank prior to that. Wadkins has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Illinois […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Brooke Peterson joins Resource One
Brooke Peterson has joined Resource One as an account executive, effective Jan. 12. He most recently spent three years as a designer for DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Springfield and worked in various sales and training roles for Organizers Direct Industries prior to that. He and his wife, Amy Peterson, founded The Closet Guy in […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Jan. 12 to Jan. 18
629 East LLC received a commercial accessory structure permit for 629 Adams St. Contractor is Jason McKemie and the project is valued at $5,000. KELP LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2637 Chatham Road. Contractor is Pa-N-Ma All Services LLC and the project is valued at $6,150. LAS Investments 2021 LLC received a commercial […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Fact or fiction: Is 7 Brew Coffee coming to Springfield?
7 Brew Coffee, a drive-thru coffee chain with a devoted following, has been expanding rapidly and there appears to be two locations in the works for Springfield. The first 7 Brew in Illinois opened in Sterling in December 2022 and was developed by Benito Hidalgo, a Texas real estate investor. His company, Net Lease Development, […]