New Springfield Starbucks under construction
Construction of a new Starbucks Coffee Company is underway at the northeast corner of South Dirksen Parkway and Stevenson Drive. When complete, it will be the sixth free-standing Starbucks location in Springfield, in addition to a location inside Target and on the University of Illinois Springfield campus. ComptonAddy, a commercial real estate firm based in…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 11-Jan. 17, 2021
Bank of Springfield obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1016 W. Lawrence Ave. Lance Christopher Miller is the contractor and the project is valued at $10,000. Blackstone Group-Dirksen, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2500 N. Dirksen Parkway. The contractor is Joyner Construction Services, Inc. and the project is valued at $20,000.
Fish Window Cleaning opens Springfield office
While many existing businesses have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean and Holly Middleton decided it was the right time to start one. “Due to COVID, my job was eliminated last April,” said Holly Middleton. “I’m 49, and I was really left in limbo, thinking, ‘What do I do at my age?’” “We started looking…
Sandler Training interactive workshop
As you reflect on the past year, are you frustrated that you didn’t hit your goals? Worried that you and your spouse or partner are drifting apart? Tired of setting New Year’s resolutions that don’t last much past January? Most people feel this way because they lack a goal, a path to that goal, and/or…
Family Video closing its remaining 250 locations
Family Video, the last video rental chain in the U.S., is closing its remaining 250 locations. The Springfield locations had already closed in September, with the exception of the store at 1802 North Grand Ave. Construction is already underway at 3201 W. Iles Ave. and 930 W. Jefferson St. to convert those two former Family…
State comptroller’s office now has option to purchase current building or move
With a lease expiring in June, the state comptroller’s office has won legislative approval for a new deal that could result in relocation within the capital city. One option is to buy the building at 323 West Adams St. where comptroller employees have worked for 40 years. Under the expiring lease, the state is paying…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 4, 2021-Jan. 10, 2021
Drury Inns, Inc., in care of D I Hotels Corp., obtained a commercial building permit for 3190 S. Dirksen Parkway. The contractor is Midwest Facilities & Construction, LLC and the project is valued at $900,000. Robert and Deborah Sidener obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2250 S. 15th St. Carolina Contractors and Painting, Inc. is…
The Railyard, an outdoor food venue, to open in April
By Carey Smith The Railyard is a hip urban concept new to Springfield, expected to open in April 2021. Operating out of three shipping containers and a former barbershop, this mostly outdoor venue will offer a variety of foods in a unique environment featuring a lot of green space. Kirk Jefferis, a commercial real estate…
Small business grant program ends, less than 20% of applicants received money
By Sarah Mansur, Capitol News Illinois smansur@capitolnewsillinois.com The grant program for small businesses owners in Illinois who suffered losses during the pandemic has run out of money. Illinois’ Business Interruption Grant program was the largest state program of its kind, but only about 20%, or 8,974 applicants, received a grant. The Illinois General Assembly created…
Lincoln Land Community College changed its training facility name
Lincoln Land Community College has changed the name of its training facility at 130 W. Mason, located in the Mid-Illinois Medical District and blocks away from two major hospitals, to LLCC-Medical District. The facility opened in 1999 as the Capital City Center and initially focused on workforce development for technology. However, the training opportunities have…
Andrew Harby opens his own Country Financial office
Andrew Harby has opened his own Country Financial office at 1025 Junction Circle. In July, Harby began a new career in the insurance industry after 13 years with Neuhoff Communications. He initially worked out of Country Financial’s corporate office at 2935 Montvale Dr., which includes a training center. “I was in our corporate office with…
Building permit roundup – Dec. 21, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021
Bill and Amy Williams obtained a commercial remodel permit to renovate office space at 2760 W. Jefferson St. MJW Properties is the contractor and the project is valued at $100,856. TC Investment 4 LLC obtained a commercial addition permit for 2605 N. Dirksen Parkway. The contractor is Coil Construction, Inc. and the project is valued…
Bailey Family Insurance moves, expands
Bailey Family Insurance has relocated to 1625 S. Sixth St. as of Dec. 28. “We were renting previously; this is our first purchase,” said Christine Bailey, who owns the independent agency along with her husband, Mark. Bailey said the business just celebrated its four-year anniversary and previously operated out of two different rented locations. “Now…
Chris Murphy takes new radio job in Bloomington-Normal market
Veteran radio personality Chris Murphy is moving to the Bloomington-Normal market for what he refers to as “the last media job” of his career with Great Plains Media. Murphy has worked for Mid-West Family Broadcasting for 26 years, 21 of those in Springfield. He currently hosts the WMAY morning show, along with Greg Bishop, and…
Steve Schoeffel promoted to managing director of SMTD
Steve Schoeffel, the deputy managing director for the Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) is being promoted to managing director as of Jan. 1. Frank Squires, who has managed the district since 2012 after serving on the board of trustees for 14 years, is retiring. Brian Brewer, chair of the board of trustees, said the board…
Best Places to Work alumni spotlight: Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.
By Carey Smith Selected as one of the best places to work in 2008 by Springfield Business Journal and United Community Bank, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) began in 1946 with the idea that engineering could significantly improve our country’s post-war infrastructure. Friends and civil engineers Len Crawford, Pat Murphy and Ray Tilly began…
Businesses adjust to railway corridor expansion
By Carey Smith As the Springfield Railway Improvements Project moves toward completion, an increasing number of businesses have been impacted, with more to come. Benmar Sunrooms was the first business to be displaced in 2014, and since then, an additional 18 businesses have had to relocate as a result of work taking place along the…
Greg Moredock now a shareholder of Sorling, Northrup, Hanna, Cullen & Cochran, Ltd.
Gregory Moredock has been elected as a shareholder of the firm Sorling, Northrup, Hanna, Cullen & Cochran, Ltd., effective Jan. 1, 2021. Moredock has been an associate at Sorling Northrup since 2013, when he joined the firm following his graduation from law school. He concentrates his practice in municipal and administrative law and civil litigation.…
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The City of Springfield has announced the recipients of the city’s Small Business Assistance Grant program. The Office of Planning & Economic Development awarded $5,000 grants to 126 Springfield businesses through a program that was rolled out in November in response to economic hardships caused by COVID-19. The city made $630,000 in funding available through…
Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities plans new construction in 2021
A significant expansion is planned for the Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities in 2021, utilizing the existing 27-acre campus at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Chatham Road. Fair Hills Residence and Fair Hills Apartments currently provide assisted and independent living for seniors. Sixteen cottages will be constructed in the next phase, along with Fair Hills…
Brown, Hay & Stephens to merge with Decatur law firm
By Lana Shovlin In 1828, an attorney named John Todd Stuart opened a law firm in downtown Springfield. The practice was a success, and over the years it has employed some of Springfield’s finest attorneys, including our beloved Abraham Lincoln. In 1921, the firm underwent a name change and evolved into Brown, Hay & Stephens,…
Building permit roundup – Dec. 14-Dec. 20
Barbell Holdings, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for new construction at 4600 W. Alex Blvd. Baldovin Construction Co. is the contractor and the project is valued at $740,000. Corporation Service Company obtained a commercial remodel permit for interior work at 801 E. Adlai Stevenson Drive. R. D. Lawrence Construction Co., Ltd. is the contractor…
