Sara Wojcicki Jimenez has started KIND Consulting
Sara Wojcicki Jimenez has started her own business, KIND Consulting. She most recently worked as director of marketing, communications and advocacy for HSHS Central Illinois Division but is best known for her work in state government and as a television reporter. “Living through this pandemic has given me some time to reflect,” she said. “I…
Illinois Products Online Marketplace replaces this year’s Illinois Products Expo
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has launched Illinois Products Online Marketplace, an online platform that provides consumers the opportunity to purchase Illinois products. This online marketplace replaces the annual Illinois Product Expo, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Now through March 3, 500 Illinois products from 55 vendors throughout the state will be available for…
Sulit Spin Studio has opened on Yucan Drive
Crystal Falke says she never intended to start her own business, but now she’s turned her hobby into Sulit Spin Studio, 4311 Yucan Drive. “I started spinning about five years ago; it was the only exercise I really liked doing,” Falke said. “Everything else I got burned out on.” She used to frequent Spin Zone…
Merchant House to become downtown event space
Conn’s Hospitality Group is betting that events will return in the near future, and the former Merchant House store at 625 E. Monroe is currently being repurposed into an event venue of the same name, in anticipation of that. “We’re hoping that things are going to open back up within the next year, and we…
Building permit roundup – Feb. 8-Feb. 14
Fallingbrook Condos obtained a commercial accessory structure permit for 39 S. Trailridge Lane. BPA Development Group, LLC is the contractor and the project is valued at $8,400. RGB Properties, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3000 Happy Landing Drive. Capitol Construction Solutions, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $300,000. PRD…
Club Car Wash opening two locations in Springfield
Despite the inclement weather, Club Car Wash moved forward with opening its first Springfield location on Feb. 16 at 1001 Lincolnshire Blvd., just north of the Sixth Street Walmart. A second location, the former Green Hyundai dealership at 2605 N. Dirksen Parkway, is currently undergoing renovations in anticipation of a May opening. Club Car Wash…
Rick Stewart, a former principal at Hesse Martone, has started his own law firm.
Rick Stewart has started his own law practice, The Stewart Law Firm, as of Jan. 1. He was most recently a principal with Hesse Martone in Springfield. “I’m doing the same type of law as before, labor employment law,” Stewart said. “I have clients all over the state of Illinois.” His law office is now…
First-time jobless claims drop sharply
Numbers still remain at historically high levels By Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com First-time unemployment claims in Illinois dropped sharply in the last week of January as most regions in the state slowly began reopening following the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Thursday that 40,008 workers…
Building permit roundup – Feb. 1 – Feb. 7, 2021
Family Service Center obtained a commercial roofing permit for 730 E. Vine St. The contractor is Meyer Roofing Co. and the project is valued at $124,560. Sacred Heart-Griffin High School obtained a commercial demolition permit to tear down the west branch library at 1251 W. Washington St. Union Local 965 is the contractor and the…
VELE and Curate owners to open Soleil Cafe
While Springfield restaurants VELE and Curate are known for fine dining, the owners are preparing to launch a new business venture that will focus on breakfast and lunch. Nickey Sperry, who owns VELE and Curate along with her husband, Dan, and Justin Richardson, who serves as executive chef, said the trio will also operate Soleil…
Joe Kulek to become president of Henson Robinson Company
Joe Kulek will become the new president of Henson Robinson Company, effective March 1. He succeeds Dan Hoselton, who has served in that role for over 25 years. Hoselton will be stepping down from day-to-day operations and executive duties, but will remain on the executive board until his retirement at the end of 2021. Brian…
Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity
Lisa Clemmons Stott of Downtown Springfield, Inc. reviewed the book Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity for this month’s SBJ. A group of area residents who are interested in revitalizing Springfield formed a Strong Towns Book Club, which has turned into an ongoing workgroup. DSI has 25 discount codes available for the…
Jerk Shop Go is expanding in White Oaks Mall
Jerk Shop Go is opening in the White Oaks Mall food court on Feb. 8, but fans of the Carribean cuisine will still be able to patronize the original downtown location as well. “The move to White Oaks Mall is an expansion,” said owner Kadejia Berkley. “We’re hoping to introduce our brand to a new…
Fact or Fiction: What’s happening at the former Show Me’s property?
A “coming soon” banner for Ocean Crab has appeared at the former Show Me’s restaurant at 3101 S. MacArthur Blvd. According to Sangamon County tax records, the property was sold on Dec. 2 for $700,000 to Ocean Crab House, Inc. That LLC is registered with the Illinois Secretary of State and lists Jinming Wu as…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 25 – Jan. 31, 2021
3422 Freedom Drive, LLC, in care of Bill Furling, obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3422 S. Freedom Drive. Angona Construction is the contractor and the project is valued at $100,000. Springfield Clinic obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1025 S. Sixth St. The contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $965,000.…
Crowdfunding catches on
By Carey Smith Have a great idea for a startup company, but no capital? Looking to expand your product line, remodel your facility or hire additional employees but lack the revenue stream to qualify for a bank loan? Looking to invest in exciting local projects on a limited budget? Crowdfunding may be the answer for…
Meridian Health Plan opening an office in downtown Springfield
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois is opening an office at 201 E. Adams in downtown Springfield as of Feb. 8. “The office isn’t public facing, it’s a business office,” said Beverly Tanabe, vice president of marketing and communications. “We do a lot of work and coordination with governmental agencies and different interest groups. It’s important…
Vacant sites create opportunities for redevelopment
By Carey Smith Although some amount of property vacancy is desirable to accommodate the natural ebb and flow of business ventures in our community, a long-standing vacancy is not. Ryan McCrady, president and CEO of Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, says that part of his job is to “take a look at property to see what…
Turning the idea of growth on its head
By Lisa Clemmons Stott The steady westward expansion of Springfield is often cited as the healthy, inevitable result of growth and progress. But a book being read widely across our fair city today posits that there is another way to think about these changes, however, that isn’t quite as comforting. Using his insider’s view on…
Carole Keating takes the reins – Springfield entrepreneur adds more businesses to her portfolio
By David Blanchette Carole Keating’s entrepreneurial success can be simply summed up. “I really don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Keating said. “If I hit an obstacle, I always keep going. That pretty much sums it up, perseverance and hard work.” That perseverance has paid off, most recently with Keating’s acquisition of Egizii Electric, located…
DSI recognized the people, places and pivots of 2020 in its first-ever virtual dinner
For the first time in 28 years, Downtown Springfield Inc. held its annual dinner and awards ceremony in a virtual format on Jan. 21. Tickets for the event — the biggest fundraiser of the year to support downtown revitalization — included takeout from one of six downtown restaurants, the option to add on a cocktail…
Former Adventure Dive & Travel building becomes event space
When the former Adventure Dive & Travel property came up for auction last fall, Lisa Highley said she couldn’t resist. “I bought it online with no idea what I was going to do with it,” she said of the building at 2911 Stanton Ave. in Springfield. After more than 25 years of operations, Adventure Dive…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 18, 2021-Jan. 24, 2021
Historic Renovations, Inc. obtained a commercial roofing permit for 800 N. MacArthur Blvd. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at $5,000. Michael D. Cummins obtained a commercial remodel permit for 125 S. West Lake Shore Drive. Steve Burke is the contractor and the project is valued at $5,000. Springfield Clinic obtained…
Mission BBQ opens 100th location in Springfield
Mission BBQ’s 100th location, 2401 W. Wabash Ave. in Springfield, opened Jan. 25 following a dedication ceremony at noon to honor local police and firefighters. The Maryland-based restaurant was founded on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and incorporates a patriotic theme into all of its locations. The restaurants pause at noon each day…
Cass Wolfenberger has been named the president and CEO of Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services
Cass Wolfenberger has been named the president and CEO of Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services, the mortgage subsidiary of Town and Country Bank. “I am truly honored to join the Town and Country Bank organization,” said Wolfenberger. “While a lot of banks say they consider mortgage services a vital part of their organization, very…
Memorial Physician Services – Women’s Healthcare joins Springfield Clinic
Memorial Physician Services – Women’s Healthcare, an obstetrics and gynecology group, is now a part of Springfield Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, as of Jan. 11. The group, which includes Dr. Neha Amin, Dr. Chinelo Echeazu, Dr. Jillian Henry and Dr. Amanda O’Brien, will continue to provide care at their current location in the Baylis…
Long Nine Junction closing as Faucons launch new business ventures
Long Nine Junction is closing on Feb. 20, but owners Corey and Emily Faucon already have several new business ventures in the works. The couple opened the restaurant at 5 Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield nearly four years ago, and despite the restrictions brought on by COVID-19, Emily said, “We’ve been very successful with…
