Mike Brand joins Hanson Professional Services
Mike Brand recently joined Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield headquarters as a project manager. He will take a leading role in the advancement of the firm’s Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local government transportation engineering endeavors and serve as a project manager for transportation engineering projects. Brand worked for IDOT in Springfield for 30…
Mike Niehaus of Windsor Homes is constructing new office and warehouse space on Cockrell Lane
Mike Niehuas, owner of Windsor Homes, said what began as a need for warehouse space for his own company turned into a speculative construction project. “I wanted to have a warehouse space for me and figured there was a need; it turns out there was. I think it’s pretty good to have five out of…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 10 – Jan. 16, 2022
Leo D. Hermes and John P. Hermes obtained a commercial remodel permit for 4343 Conestoga Drive. The owners are the contractors and the project is valued at $20,000. Whites Oaks Plaza, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2901 S. Veterans Parkway. Wari Construction is the contractor and the project is valued at $200,000. Solon,…
Mosquito Joe of Springfield has property on 11th Street under contract
Jeff and Michele Sommers purchased the Mosquito Joe of Springfield franchise in 2016, and the couple says it’s already grown to become one of the top franchises in the county. Now, they have the building at 1831 S. 11th St. under contract to allow for further expansion. “I would have never anticipated how this has…
Farmstead Primitive Co. relocating to larger space
Farmstead Primitive Co. has temporarily closed, but only long enough to relocate to a new, larger location. Allyson Matrisch opened the boutique retail store in November 2019, “just in time for COVID to hit,” she noted. The initial location on North Main Street in Chatham had a lot of traffic, but lacked visibility. “We were behind…
Building permit roundup – Jan. 3 – Jan. 9, 2022
Dayton Hudson Corporation in care of Target Corporation obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3445 S. Freedom drive. Taylor Brothers Construction C0., Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $2,534,491. Joyner Real Estate, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 821 S. Durkin Drive. The owner is the contractor and…
Dean Olsen and Justin Fowler depart State Journal-Register
Dean Olsen and Justin Fowler, two longtime employees of the State Journal-Register, both start new jobs on Jan. 17. Olsen has been hired as a senior staff writer for Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal. He has been a reporter at the SJ-R for more than 20 years, although he left briefly in December 2019…
Heart Technologies relocates due to remote workforce
Heart Technologies, a company specializing in telephone systems, security and networking, has relocated its Springfield office as a result of employees continuing to work remotely for the foreseeable future. “All through 2020 and 2021, all of the employees were working remotely except the technicians on-site,” said Springfield branch manager Sheila Feipel. She noted that she…
Kevan Stapleton named a partner with Eck, Schafer and Punke LLP
Stapleton has more than 15 years’ experience providing tax compliance, tax planning and consulting services to corporations, partnerships and individuals. He earned degrees in both accounting and business administration from University of Illinois Springfield and is a Certified Public Accountant. In addition, Stapleton also holds the Series 7 and 66 Financial Industry Authority designations. He…
Benjamin Sgro and Jeana Reinbold elected partners at the law firm of Sgro, Hanrahan, Durr, Rabin & Reinbold
Benjamin M. Sgro and Jeana K. Reinbold have become partners of the law firm of Sgro, Hanrahan, Durr & Rabin LLP effective Jan. 1. The firm, located at 1119 S. Sixth St., will now be known as Sgro, Hanrahan, Durr, Rabin & Reinbold, LLP. Sgro has practiced as an associate with the firm since 2014.…
Building permit roundup – Dec. 20, 2021 – Jan. 2, 2022
PK Downtown Springfield, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 9 S. Old State Capitol Plaza. The contractor is P. Karras and the project is valued at $6,800. The Donald D. and Marilyn Y. Dellert Trust obtained a commercial roofing permit for 1627 S. MacArthur Blvd. Griffitts Exterior Home Designs, Inc. is the contractor and…
Great House BBQ opens downtown
Fans of Great House BBQ can get their fill once again. The restaurant closed its west-side location last summer and originally hoped to be open downtown by August. However, the issue of whether or not the existing hood and exhaust system had to be replaced – at significant expense – caused delays in getting the…
Jim Sullivan becomes CFO at PH Broughton & Sons
Jim Sullivan began a new position as chief financial officer of PH Broughton & Sons, effective Dec. 27. “I’ve known Josh (Broughton) for quite a while, and they have some changes coming with the planned retirement of their current CFO. They were looking for a new person, and it was a good opportunity,” Sullivan said.…
Erica Johnson leaving HSHS, moving to Arizona
Even though she was born and raised in Springfield, Erica Johnson says living in Arizona has always been one of her goals. Her husband, Jason Johnson, grew up in Springfield as well but the couple’s long-term plan to relocate out west has finally come to fruition. “Arizona has always been our dream,” said Johnson, who…
Notable new construction and remodeling projects
By Catherine O’Connor Hindu temples bring imported spiritual design A new home for The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield has been erected at 1001 W. Walnut St. in Chatham. An architect from Vastu Consultants in Chennai, India, worked with Rangwala Architects from St. Louis to design and build the concrete Fox Blocks pre-cast building that…
Springfield Rail Improvements Project progresses
Businesses between Carpenter Street and Ridgely Avenue will be affected By Carey Smith Land acquisition is steadily moving northward for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, with a stretch of land between Carpenter Street and Ridgely Avenue being the current focus. While other segments of the 10th Street corridor have focused on widening tracks and creating…
Q&A with Paul O’Shea
By David Blanchette Paul O’Shea is a Springfield native who has left his mark on his hometown through a variety of historic preservation projects and extensive community involvement. After graduating from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in architecture, he returned to Springfield and was involved in the reconstruction of the Old State Capitol.…
Jude Nolen has joined Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services
Town and Country Bank has hired Jude Nolen to its mortgage division, Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services, Inc. Nolen will serve as a mortgage loan originator based in Springfield, assisting homebuyers throughout Sangamon County and central Illinois. “We are happy to have Jude join our expanding mortgage team as our latest mortgage loan originator.…
Lee Rupnik takes over operations of D&J’s Cafe
D&J’s Café is under new ownership and management as of Dec. 16. The restaurant at 915 W. Laurel St. has been a popular breakfast and lunch destination for decades, but some longtime customers began boycotting the business last year after then-owner John Price posted a racist rant on his personal Facebook page about the circumstances…
Joe Rupnik to transition The Pasta House Co. to Beef ‘O’Brady’s
Fans of The Pasta House Co. have a few more days to get their fill, at least in Springfield. Joe Rupnik, who operates the restaurant at 2599 Wabash Ave., said Dec. 24 will be the last day for operations. “I’ve been a licensee with The Pasta House Co. for more than 30 years,” he said.…
