Patrick Russell joins Springfield Art Association
Patrick Russell has joined the Springfield Art Association as the director of marketing and development. “The Art Association was a perfect landing spot for me,” said Russell. “It’s been a really nice transition from owning my own business to coming to a nonprofit.” He opened Reverie Apparel in November 2019 after completing the Co.Starters program…
Mark Mahoney joins ALPLM as chief of staff
Mark Mahoney has joined the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as the chief of staff. “There’s no greater symbol of Illinois than Abraham Lincoln, and this library and museum is a leader in sharing his legacy with the world,” he said. “It also plays a key role in central Illinois tourism and contributes to…
Golden Hour Bake House plans downtown storefront
Golden Hour Bake House has been a fixture at the Old Capitol Farmers Market for three seasons, and now owner Alli Donaldson is working on a brick-and-mortar location downtown. “We launched in May 2021 at the Old Capitol Farmers Market, and as business progresses, we’ve been eyeing some storefronts and looking at taking that next…
Building permits – Aug. 7 – Aug. 13
Prairie Diagnostic Center received a commercial remodel permit for 401 E. Carpenter St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $6.2 million. Fifth Street Renaissance received a commercial accessory permit for 1315 N. Fifth St. Contractor is RKS Construction and the project is valued at $49,000.
Twisted Fork to open downtown
Twisted Fork, a concept the owners describe as “upscale diner food,” is opening a brick-and-mortar location downtown next month. Amanda Sandner, who co-owns the business with her husband, Jered Sandner, said a Sept. 30 opening is planned for 400 E. Jefferson, the restaurant space inside the historic St. Nicholas Apartments. The space has been vacant…
Building permits – July 31 – Aug. 6
Trinity Evangelica Lutheran Church received a commercial remodel permit for 515 S. MacArthur Blvd. Contractor is R.D. Lawrence Construction Co. Ltd. and the project is valued at $75,000. CSS One LLC Etal received a commercial accessory structure permit for 1629 S. Ninth St. Contractor is William Meacham and the project is valued at $1,000. Kashmir…
Ritz’s closes Jefferson location, North Grand remains open
The last day of operations for Ritz’s on Jefferson Street was Aug. 4, but the original Ritz’s Lil’ Fryer on North Grand Avenue remains open. “I don’t see that one going anywhere,” said Vicky Ritz, who owns the restaurant along with her husband, Curt Ritz. The couple opened Ritz’s Lil’ Fryer, 2148 North Grand Ave.…
Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes opens Jacksonville office
Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. has announced the opening of a new office in Jacksonville at 102 N. Westgate Ave., Suite B. Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. is a full-service law firm with eight attorneys, three of counsel, and a team of experienced staff. The new Jacksonville office will be the firm’s third…
Ben Hage named director of Innovate Springfield
Ben Hage (also known as Nabih Elhajj) has been named director of Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s business incubator located in downtown Springfield. “I am happy to accept this role and grateful to Chancellor Janet Gooch and Executive Director Rob Kerr for the opportunity to lead Innovate Springfield,” Hage said. “Innovate Springfield will…
Dew Pub and Grill on South Dirksen will not reopen
Springfield is down to one Dew Chilli Parlor, at least for now. Owners Mike Monseur and John Leskovisek have announced that the Dew Pub and Grill at 2690 S. Dirksen Parkway, which has been closed since the June 29 derecho hit Springfield, will not reopen. A statement posted on the company’s Facebook page said, “The…
“Leading for Wellbeing” webinar to be offered Aug. 8
Express Employment Professionals, in partnership with Frontline Training Solutions, is offering a complimentary webinar, “Leading for Wellbeing,” on Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. Wellbeing is good for people, but it’s also good for business – and it’s been declining continuously. Leaders are facing increasing pressure, challenges and emotional labor. But they can take care of…
KSID Interiors merging with Graham & Hyde Architects
KSID Interiors, Inc. will be joining Graham & Hyde Architects as of Sept. 1. Kris Salter founded KSID Interiors in 2006 to provide professional interior design services to clients and design teams across central Illinois, and eventually, across the country. Graham & Hyde Architects, 1010 Clocktower Drive, is an architectural firm founded in 1968. “The…
Sheedy Shores WineGarden closing at the end of this season
Mike and Gloria Sheedy opened Sheedy Shores WineGarden in 2015 at their Loami home, but this season will be their last. The wine garden operates from April to October each year and offers domestic and craft beers, bourbon and wines from around the world. “We have five children, and up until now, we’ve been fortunate…
Building permits – July 24 – July 30
GINOBON I LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2321 N. Dirksen Parkway. Applicant is Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, Inc. and the project is valued at $446,160. Roofers Mart LLC received a commercial permit for 1700 Clear Lake Ave. Applicant is Steckel-Parker Architects, Inc. and the project is valued at $225,000. The Springfield Metro Sanitary District…
Let your inner artist dabble
By Pamela Savage Dabble is Springfield’s newest, one-of-a-kind, do-it-yourself arts and crafts venue. It is a business forged by family and created for the community. Sisters Ashley Striplin and Amanda Terry came up with the concept of a community-based arts-and-crafts venue following Terry’s travels through China. While living in China for three years, she noticed…
The Turkish grill on Wabash
Ugly Restaurant and Bar, a welcome addition to Springfield’s ethnic eateries By Thomas C. Pavlik, Jr. With a name like Ugly Restaurant and Bar, you had better have some good food and good service. Thankfully, Ugly Restaurant delivers. Ugly Restaurant is a Turkish grill. Your first thought may be kabobs, but there’s a lot more…
Artificial Intelligence is the next industrial revolution
“We don’t want Springfield to miss it.” By Annie Fulgenzi The next Industrial Revolution is here, whether you are prepared for it or not. According to local experts who recently took part in a panel discussion on the state of Artificial Intelligence, the consensus was: You can either get in, or get left behind. Artificial…
Cannabis now a growth industry
Springfield entrepreneur Chris Stone sees a bright future By David Blanchette Recreational cannabis is a growth industry, and Springfield resident Chris Stone plans to take full advantage of the potential behind the once-banned substance. “Eight percent of the population uses cannabis regularly, so how do we get to the other 92%?” Stone asked. “There is…
Robert Kerr named director of new UIS Innovation Center in downtown Springfield
Robert Kerr of Springfield will lead the development of the new University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Center in downtown Springfield as executive director of innovation and opportunity. His appointment is effective Aug. 1. Kerr has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship. The UIS Innovation Center, which will be located…
Nami Poke opens
Nami Poke, a new restaurant concept for Springfield, will be having a soft opening on Tuesday, July 25. Hau Nguyen is the owner of the restaurant at 916 South Grand Ave. West, located at the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue. The building formerly housed Li’l Willy’s BBQ Smokehouse, which closed March 31.…
Public House 29 and Pie’s the Limit to close
Longtime Springfield restaurateurs Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti are closing Public House 29 in Rochester and the remaining Pie’s the Limit location in Springfield, effective immediately. Hanken confirmed the closings to SBJ but said he had no further comment. A statement posted on the Pie’s the Limit Facebook page July 24 cited “unprecedented hardships” faced…
Building permits – July 17 – July 23
William Meacham received a commercial remodel permit for 1629 S. Ninth St. Contractor is William Meacham and the project is valued at $1,500. 3335 S. Veterans Parkway LLC received a commercial permit for 3335 S. Veterans Parkway. Contractor is Coil Construction and the project is valued at $2.5 million. Sangamon County received a commercial remodel…
Mark Vance promoted to regional president of Carrollton Bank
Tom Hough, CEO of Carrollton Bank, has announced that Mark Vance has been promoted to regional president of the Springfield bank. Vance joined Carrollton Bank in 2008 and has over 30 years of banking experience. He assumes the role of Dave Haney, who is retiring. “Mark has outstanding relationships with his customers, strong local roots…
