Carla Seifert joins Town and Country Bank
Carla Seifert has joined Town and Country Bank as vice president, commercial banking officer. She will be based at the bank’s MacArthur Boulevard location. “Carla’s extensive knowledge of the financial services industry is a true benefit to the entire Town and Country family. We are thrilled to have her as the latest addition to our…
Former Augie’s Front Burner now a homestyle family restaurant
The former Augie’s Front Burner space downtown is now a new homestyle family restaurant. Maryflor – pronounced “My-floor” – will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is the first restaurant venture for owners Flora and Marco Alonzo. Augie’s Front Burner closed in June 2020 after more than two decades of operations at 2 W. Old…
Amazing Xscapes to open in The Yard Shopping Center
Rick Briggs has spent more than 40 years inventing interactive experiences for families, and now, with the help of his own family, he is bringing a new entertainment option to Springfield. Amazing Xscapes, an escape room experience with several different themes, will open in The Yard Shopping Center, 1650 W. Wabash Ave., in mid-August. “I’ve…
Downtown Springfield, Inc. workshop
Despite the demonstrated demand for apartments in downtown Springfield in the 2013 Bowen Housing Study, less than half of the number of units have been constructed to meet that demand in the eight years since the report came out. Downtown advocates are hoping that a new workshop will jumpstart more property owners to make the…
Fact or Fiction: What’s happening at the former Walgreens property?
Construction activity is evident outside the former Walgreens at 1155 N. Ninth St., and according to a building permit on file with the City of Springfield, the location is being converted to a Family Dollar store. Mimi Hurwitz, a broker with Hurwitz Enterprises, is the listing agent for the property but told SBJ she was…
Lauren Stead starts new position at Systemax
Lauren Stead has started a new position as strategic marketing director at Systemax, 4501 Alex Boulevard. “The company is growing, and with the expansion they needed more people to handle clients and accounts,” she said. For the past three years, Stead worked as the marketing and promotions director for Conn’s Hospitality Group. Prior to that,…
Building permit roundup – July 5-July 11
Springfield Clinic, LLP obtained a commercial building permit for a parking lot at 1110 S. Eighth St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $480,000. Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for an addition at 600 E. Toronto Road. Ron Metzger is the contractor and…
Thrive Wellness Therapy provides on-demand IV hydration
After working as a registered nurse for the past 10 years, Elizabeth Yarnell has now started her own business to help people improve their overall well-being. Thrive Wellness Therapy provides on-demand IV hydration therapy and vitamin injections, intended to help with everything from skin care to workout recovery to immune system boosting. “My husband and…
O’Shea Builders hires three new employees
O’Shea Builders has hired three new staff members who will be based out of the Springfield office. Evan Dorks, a project engineer, joins the O’Shea team after starting his professional career with S.M. Wilson. He has a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Dorks resides in Glenarm with his wife,…
OOT Box Media relocating, expanding
OOT Box Media, a full-service creative agency, is preparing to relocate as part of a business expansion. The business is currently located at 917 Clocktower Drive, but owner Andrew Bartlett said, “I knew we were going to be running out of space soon, so I’d been looking for a building.” As it so happened, he…
Building permit roundup – June 28-July 4
Springfield Clinic LLP obtained a commercial remodel permit for 923 S. Sixth St. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at $180,000. The Yard Springfield, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1650 W. Wabash Ave., Suite C. Nate Millspaugh is the contractor and the project is valued at $20,000. The City…
On the Go Boutique opening on Hamlin Parkway
On the Go Boutique has been an online-only store for nearly five years, but will soon have a brick-and-mortar location in Springfield. Co-owner Anna Hruby said she started the business with a good friend of her who lives in the Nashville area, although the inventory and shipping has always been handled out of Springfield. “We’ve…
Jocelyn Holzmacher starts new position at HSHS St. John’s Hospital
Jocelyn Holzmacher started a new position as a marketing specialist with HSHS St. John’s Hospital as of June 28. She most recently worked as creative director as Systemax Corporation, where she had been employed for nearly 13 years. “I was looking for a career where I could use my marketing and creative expertise to make…
Building a better future
Southtown Construction provides job training and life skills By Holly Whisler “I am the youngest of 10 kids. We grew up in the projects of Springfield. My father was killed when I was teenager, and my mom raised us on public assistance and what she earned from her job as a waitress,” said Calvin Pitts…
Building permit roundup – June 21-June 27
Kwik Wall Property Management Company, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for an addition at 4650 S. Industrial Ave. Michael Hoyle is the contractor and the project is valued at $150,000. Roofers Mart, Inc. obtained a commercial accessory structure permit for 1700 E. Clear Lake Ave. Jeff Tuxhorn is the contractor and the project is…
Kayla Graven named new executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
Kayla Graven, Downtown Springfield, Inc.’s assistant director and market manager, will succeed Lisa Clemmons Stott as executive director, starting July 1. “Kayla has served DSI incredibly well both before and during the pandemic. She is well-versed in the goals and priorities of this organization and has demonstrated her ability to implement targeted programs that grow…
Dr. Tana Frisina expands her practice
Dr. Tana Frisina, owner of Frisina Family Wellness, has expanded her practice to include thermography, a service which was not previously available in the Springfield area. “I bought the building next door in December, but I wasn’t really sure what to do with it,” said Frisina of the space that most recently housed Shanti’s Studio,…
New downtown boutique will help fund adoptions
An online business created to help fund a family’s adoption has led to the opening of a brick-and-mortar boutique in downtown Springfield. Jocelyn Piper said, “Fashion has always been a passion of mind, and when we were in the process of adopting one of our sons, we needed a way to fund the adoption. We…
Marcus Johnson selected as new president and CEO of Springfield Urban League
Marcus Johnson will become the president and CEO of Springfield Urban League, effective July 1. He has worked for the organization since 2014, most recently as the quality assurance research and reporting officer, serving as an adviser to the current CEO, Nina Harris. Johnson graduated from Tuskegee University and holds a master’s degree in public…
Building permit roundup – June 14-June 20
2222 South, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for 2232 S. Sixth St. The contractor is Capitol Ideas, Inc., and the project is valued at $10,000. Quyen Nguyen and Mary Ann Tran obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2955 Lindbergh Blvd. The contractor is Thai Phong and Hang Phuong and the project is valued at…
Shatonya Adams expanding her salon business
After four years in business, Shatonya Adams is ready to expand her salon to a larger location with additional services. “I started Tink’s Beauty Bar in 2017, but things have gotten bigger,” she said. After working on her own for the past several years, Adams says she wants to bring others on board to create…
Sarah Helm joins The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has hired Sarah Helm as its first full-time vice president of development. Her responsibilities include planning, directing and evaluating the Community Foundation’s fund development activities. “The Community Foundation is a unique charitable resource providing local donors the opportunity to create lasting impact. I am honored to join…
Business After Hours
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours on Thursday, June 24, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Knob Hill Landscape Company, 661 W. Camp Sangamo Road. The event is open to all business professionals. The cost to attend is $5 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Cured Catering will provide food…
The Roost relocates to Chatham Road
The Roost has relocated from downtown Springfield to a larger location at 315 Chatham Road, and owner Rachel Bonney said she also shifted the business model from an artist co-op to a boutique. “It was a hard decision; I loved downtown,” said Bonney. “I had been there for six years, and prior to opening my…
Mark DiMarzio joins Town and Country Bank
Town and Country Bank has hired Mark DiMarzio as vice president, commercial banking officer. He will work with local businesses in Sangamon County and operate out of the bank’s MacArthur Boulevard location. “I have been a banker for many years,” said DiMarzio. “Throughout my career, I have learned that most banks collectively operate in a…
