Magro’s Meat & Produce to streamline operations to meat processing only
Magro’s Meat & Produce is coming full circle with its business model. “We’re going back to our roots,” said Tony Magro, president and co-owner of the family-run business. “We’re still going to offer vacuum-sealed meats, but we’re getting away from grocery, produce and deli items.” Magro’s Meat & Produce opened a Springfield location in January…
Author Scott Stratten presents “UnMarketing: Everything Has Changed and Nothing is Different
Author Scott Stratten will present “UnMarketing: Everything Has Changed and Nothing is Different” on Thursday, April 28, at an event sponsored by the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. The program, held at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre, will begin with a presentation and Q&A at 4:30 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception and book signing. This…
Shellie Jones and Dennis Brasier join Chicago Title
Shellie Jones and Dennis Brasier have both joined Chicago Title. Jones is a residential escrow officer working out of the office at 3601 W. Wabash Ave. She most recently worked at Zelle Title Services and has also worked for Unique Personnel Consultants in Springfield. Brasier is a commercial and residential escrow officer, with a primary…
Building permit roundup – April 4 – April 10, 2022
Kallister Sullivan, LLC in care of Kevin Kallister obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1400 s. Dirksen Parkway. The contractor is Siciliano, Inc. and the project is valued at $74,160. The Phoenix Community Center obtained a commercial remodel permit for renovations at 109 E. Lawrence Ave. Pankey Builders is the contractor and the project is…
Lauren Tomten Photography relocates to larger space
Lauren Tomten has relocated her photography business to a larger space on West Ash Street. Tomten opened her photography business in 2013, specializing in newborn and family photos. Three years ago, Lauren Tomten Photography moved into commercial space on State Street and last fall she was ready to expand again. In October, Tomten purchased the…
Aviatori Coffeehouse to open on Logan Avenue
A coffee shop will finally be opening at 311 N. Logan Ave., although the property has changed owners – and themes – since the original plans were announced. Joe Coppick and Juliana Turchetti Coppick purchased the property in March from the estate of Tony Leone, the proprietor of the Pasfield House who died in February…
Momentum on Main Street is hosting “Start-Up Story”
Momentum on Main Street will hold a training and networking event on Wednesday, April 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. The event at Bar None, 245 S. Fifth St., will feature Karen Conn, president and CEO of Conn’s Hospitality Group, sharing her story of how the business got started. The interview and a Q&A session will be…
Historic property to be renovated for coffee shop, Airbnb
A historic property near the campus of Springfield Memorial Hospital is about to undergo renovations. Stephen “Mike” Donaldson and his wife, Kelly, have purchased 1001 N. First St., which most recently housed Gastro Grub before the café closed in February, and plan to open Yellow Bird Coffee House in the lower level. The couple currently…
Blackburn and beyond
College increases opportunities for students with diverse abilities By Carey Smith “According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, as of 2021, only 19% of Americans with a disability are even employed,” states Brianna Sutton, director of Blackburn College’s Blackburn and Beyond program. “Disability does not mean inability.” Born from a partnership with Carlinville High…
Sportman’s Lounge and Restaurant
By Thomas C. Pavlik I used to be a regular at Sportsman’s in its former iteration, before it got a little long in the tooth and rundown. And then it went dark. Recently, however, a group of friends bought the building and decided to resurrect Sportsman’s, and in doing so, they’ve managed to preserve all…
Building permit roundup – March 23 – April 3, 2022
FDP Springfield, LLC obtained a commercial permit for a parking lot expansion at 2951 Granger Drive. Kendal Design/Build General Contractors, LLC is the contractor and the project is valued at $1,648,000. St. John’s Hospital of Hospital Sisters of 3rd Order OSF obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 800 E. Carpenter St. O’Shea Builders…
Grand opening for The Cake Shoppe on April 8
The Cake Shoppe will hold a grand opening Friday, April 8, from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at 449 N. Walnut St. The business will offer ready-made products for retail as well as taking special orders. “We’re not going to do baked goods other than cake-based,” said owner Julie Shuler. “We’ll have cake pops, cupcakes and ready-made…
Q and A with Marne Fauser
By David Blanchette What was your first job after graduating from college? I grew up in Peoria, and my first job after college was working at Illini Bluffs High School as a high school teacher and middle school volleyball and basketball coach. I became interested in the nonprofit world after years of working with people…
Lincoln College to close at end of spring semester
After 157 years, Lincoln College is closing at the end of the spring semester. The college has notified the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Higher Learning Commission of permanent closure, effective May 13. The private liberal arts college based in Lincoln, Illinois, has a current enrollment of 888 students, plus an extension site in…
Wm. Van’s Coffee House to relocate, new cidery and meadery in the works
Sunday, April 3, will be the last day of operations for Wm. Van’s Coffee House in its current location at 503 S. Seventh St. Lauren Stead, marketing director for Conn’s Hospitality Group, confirmed that the business is “revamping and relocating.” Stead said, “We are going to be relocating to somewhere within Springfield – the exact…
Building permit roundup – March 21 – March 27, 2022
Bank of Springfield obtained a commercial remodel permit for 301 N. Second St. Phillips Construction is the contractor and the project is valued at $400,000. Mac’s Convenience Stores, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2201 N. Dirksen Parkway. WV Carwash Services is the contractor and the project is valued at $190,000. Advanced Medical Transport…
Peterman Financial Group purchases adjacent office building
Peterman Financial Group has had a presence on MacArthur Boulevard for more than two decades, so when owner William Peterman decided it was time to expand, he didn’t look any further than the space adjacent to his current office. The financial planning firm currently occupies the 1600-square-foot office at 1515 S. MacArthur Blvd., and Peterman…
Prairie State Hemp opens retail location in downtown Springfield
Prairie State Hemp (PSH) has opened a retail store in downtown Springfield that will also serve as a wholesale headquarters for its distribution operation. The space at 1 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 102, is on the north side of the Myers Building at ground level and previously housed Epicure’s Choice Smoke Shop. “PSH…
Redevelopment work to begin at former Shop ‘n Save on North Grand
An open house was held March 25 to kick off the redevelopment of the former Shop ‘n Save property at 200 North Grand Ave. West. In November, Advanced Medical Transport of Springfield, the parent company of Medics First, purchased the building to serve as the new headquarters for the nonprofit ambulance company. In addition, a…
Applebee’s on Veterans Parkway closed
The west-side Applebee’s Bar & Grill has closed as of March 20. A sign posted on the door at 3335 Veterans Parkway directs customers to visit the remaining Springfield location at 2554 Sunrise Dr. and the Veterans Parkway location is no longer listed on the Applebee’s corporate website. The Veterans Parkway Applebee’s was operated by…
Mas Sabores, a Mexican bakery, taqueria and ice cream shop, to open on North Grand Avenue
Mas Sabores, a Mexican bakery, taqueria and ice cream shop, will soon open on North Grand Avenue. Alejandro “Alex” and Gabriela “Gabby” Rico are the owners of the business, which means “more flavors.” The couple currently operate a similar business, Sabores, at 323 N. Main St. in Chatham, along with a dog grooming business, Spaw…
Raising Cane’s coming to Springfield, Casa Real to relocate
Raising Cane’s, a fast-food restaurant specializing in chicken fingers, is coming to Springfield as part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans. “We’re very excited to be planting such strong roots in Illinois,” said Jason Zwerin, vice president of company restaurants. “So far, our 21 restaurants in the state have been very successful, and we’re planning…
Building permit roundup, March 14 – March 20, 2022
The Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Springfield obtained a commercial roofing permit for 821 S. Second St. Sutton’s, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $35,750. The Phoenix Community Center obtained a commercial remodel non-structural demolition permit for 109 E. Lawrence Ave. Pankey Builders is the contractor and the project is…
Great House BBQ closes downtown
Just a few months after opening a new location downtown, Great House BBQ appears to have closed for good. The furnishings have been removed from the restaurant at 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, and Ben Call, a broker with The Real Estate Group who is one of the property owners, confirmed the tenants moved…
Taki Taco ice cream shop opening soon
A new kind of ice cream is coming to Springfield. Taki Taco has posted a “coming soon” sign at 2955 Lindbergh Blvd. and the business is advertising online for employees. Taki Taco will offer taiyaki soft gelato and rolled gelato tacos. Taiyaki is a popular Japanese dessert made from a waffle-like batter and molded into…
