Business as usual?
SpringfieldZoom.com displays current status of businesses in Sangamon county By Michelle Ownbey A new website, SpringfieldZoom.com, will consolidate business information across Sangamon county to keep consumers apprised of the status of their favorite local businesses and their services in one, easily searchable place. Mark Roberts III, owner of GoWeb1 and AlertsMadeEasy.com, said the idea came…
Searchable local business directory now online
A new website, donated by Springfield businesses GoWeb1 and AlertsMadeEasy.com, will consolidate business information across Sangamon county to keep consumers appraised of the status of their favorite local businesses and their services in one, easily searchable place. The website is SpringfieldZoom.com. Any Sangamon county business or organization can simply click on “Register My Business”…
Local First Springfield launches gift cards
Local First Springfield has launched a digital gift card and, in light of recent events, is giving away $1,500 to support independent businesses in the city. “The Shop Local Springfield Gift Card makes it easy to keep local spending right here in Springfield with member businesses,” said Local First Springfield president Jamie Stout. “We have…
Building permit roundup – Mar. 9 – Mar. 15
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Mar. 9 and Mar. 15. Sangamon Holdings, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1724 Sangamon Ave. Donald Gorbert is the contractor and the project is valued at $10,000. Isringhausen Imports obtained a commercial remodel permit for 229 E. Jefferson St. Joyner Construction…
Fire puts steakhouse plans on hold
At the end of February, Chip Kennedy announced plans to open a high-end steakhouse at 2242. S. Sixth St. in the building that previously housed Gallagher’s Steakhouse, most recently known as Charlie R’s Steakhouse. However, a two-alarm fire that broke out late in the evening on Friday, March 13, changed all that. “That project’s over;…
Leaders urge shoppers to stop panic-buying, hoarding items
By Ben Orner, Capitol News Illinois As store shelves across Illinois empty of key products during the COVID-19 pandemic, public and private-sector leaders are urging shoppers to put less stress on the supply chain by not hoarding items. Since the pandemic intensified in Illinois last week, customers have been panic-buying and hoarding products like toilet…
Ryan McCrady named new CEO of Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance
The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance board of directors has hired Ryan McCrady as the company’s president and CEO. He will begin his new role with the local economic development organization in early May. McCrady, a former Springfield resident, served as the Sangamon County administrator from 2003-2008. He is currently serving as CEO of the Economic…
Jackie Webb joins the Illinois Health Care Association
Jackie Webb recently joined the Illinois Health Care Association as the communications director. Webb comes to the association with marketing and communications experience in both the nonprofit and private business sectors. Prior to joining the association, Webb was a product marketing manager for a national and international baby company. “I have a strong passion for…
CILCSA Networking social
The Central Illinois Customer Service Association (CILCSA) is holding a networking social on Wednesday, March 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Ace Sign Company, 2540 S. First St. in Springfield. The Craig Russo Jazz Trio will provide the entertainment and food will be provided by Nelson’s Catering. To register, visit https://conta.cc/2uPTQvY. CILCSA is committed to improving…
Jerk Shop Go open in downtown
A new Caribbean restaurant, Jerk Shop Go, is opening today in downtown Springfield in the space that was most recently occupied by Taste of Jamaica, but owner Kadejia Berkley said it’s purely a coincidence. Berkley, who is a triplet, originally lived in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and her family opened a restaurant there in…
Building permit roundup – March 2 – March 8
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between March 2 and March 8. Springfield Clinic obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1025 S. Sixth St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $215,000. City of Springfield in care of CWLP Property Management obtained a commercial remodel permit…
Best Places to Work awards ceremony
Join Springfield Business Journal and United Community Bank in recognizing the 2020 Best Places to Work: B&B Electric; Brown, Hay & Stephens; Dan Deweese Panting & Woodfinishing and Springfield Clinic. A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 18 from 5-7:30 p.m.at United Community Bank, 1900 W. Iles Ave. There is no…
Cocktails for a Cause
United Way’s Cocktails for a Cause, benefiting local summer learning programs, will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at Crows Mill Pub, 1220 Toronto Rd. in Springfield. From 5-7 p.m., volunteer bartenders will be serving drinks and all tips will go toward United Way’s programs to help children in the community learn, achieve and succeed.…
Oak Terrace available for purchase
The former Oak Terrace property at 1750 W. Washington in Springfield has gone up for auction, and the listing agent describes it as a great redevelopment opportunity, despite the deferred maintenance. “Where it’s positioned between Fairhills Mall and Hickory Glen Senior Living and being across from SHG, it’s prime for some type of multi-family use,…
Building permit roundup – Feb. 24 – Mar. 1
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Feb. 24 and Mar. 1. RLR Investment LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3401 Remington St. M&M Mid-Valley Service and Supply is the contractor and the project is valued at $345,000. ARCP MT Springfield, IL, LLC in care of Ryan, LLC PTS…
Terra Ferment opens downtown
The building at 206 S. Sixth St. in Springfield that formerly housed the Andiamo coffee shop is now home to Terra Ferment, the newest addition to the downtown beer scene. Terra Ferment officially opened to the public on Feb. 29, and owner William Tubbs described the weekend as a “steady and sometimes frightening stream of…
New architect of the Capitol moves the master plan forward
By Carey Smith Photos by Josh Catalano If you haven’t been to the Capitol complex recently, Andrea Aggertt, the new architect of the Capitol, would like to invite you to tour the Capitol and walk the campus. “There are going to be a lot of exciting things happening in the next five years,” she said. …
Best Places To Work – B&B Electric
By Eric Woods Photo by Terry Farmer For more than 50 years, B&B Electric has been serving the needs of businesses in central Illinois. Todd Brinkman Sr. had been working for South Town Electric Radio & TV with his father, Fred Brinkman, when they decided to take a leap of faith and start their own…
Best Places To Work – Brown, Hay & Stephens
By Eric Woods Photo by Terry Farmer Founded in 1828 by John Todd Stuart, the history surrounding Brown, Hay & Stephens (BHS) includes a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln, who joined the firm nine years after its establishment. As the firm closes in on 200 years, employees have long enjoyed their careers at Brown, Hay…
Best Places To Work – Dan Deweese Painting and Woodfinishing
By Eric Woods Photo by Terry Farmer Dan Deweese Painting and Wood Finishing began in November 2014 with only two employees. Within three months the business had five people on staff, and today the company employs 20 people including Deweese’s father, three siblings and a nephew. The employees are excited to work for such a…
Best Places To Work – Springfield Clinic
By Eric Woods Photo by Terry Farmer Springfield Clinic, a staple in the community, just celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019. The clinic was founded in 1939 by five physician partners in Springfield and is constantly growing and evolving. Not only are its physicians working to find new, innovative ways to better provide care…
District 186 prepares for school improvement projects
By David Blanchette Numerous public schools in the Springfield area will soon receive needed upgrades as part of a School District 186 initiative to create better facilities and more secure learning environments while addressing needed maintenance and life/safety issues. A total of $40.9 million worth of work on schools is currently in the design phase,…
Taylorville Memorial Hospital to expand
A new two-story building scheduled to open March 11 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital will offer state-of-the-art inpatient rooms on the upper level and convenient outpatient services on the ground floor. Completion of the 97,000-square-foot building marks the first portion of a two-phase, $60 million renovation underway at the nonprofit hospital at 201 E. Pleasant St.…
Randy Hultgren selected as president and CEO of the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA)
Former U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren has been selected to succeed Linda Koch as president and CEO of the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA). He will start with the IBA on April 6 and will assume the role of president and CEO on July 1, 2020. “I’ve known Randy since 1999, when he was first elected to…
Building permit roundup – Feb. 17 – Feb. 23
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Feb. 17 and Feb. 23. JJ4 Properties obtained a commercial remodel permit for 501 W. Monroe St. JJ4 Properties is the contractor and the project is valued at $8,000. Link Media Outdoor obtained a commercial demolition permit for a billboard demo at 1720…
Stephanie Barton joins SIU School of Medicine
Stephanie Barton has joined SIU School of Medicine as senior associate general counsel, effective March 2. Barton most recently worked as general counsel at the Hope Institute for Children and Families. She has also worked for the city of Springfield, State of Illinois Central Management Services and Illinois Department of Corrections. Barton graduated from Eastern…
Waters Edge Winery & Bistro under construction in Jacksonville
By Holly Whisler Seventeen acres of rolling hills interspersed with 100-year old trees is the picturesque scene that inspired the vision for Waters Edge Winery & Bistro of Jacksonville. Scheduled to open this spring, the winery will feature wines from around the world, a complete lunch and dinner menu with local favorites and live acoustic…
Area Agency on Aging changes name, location
The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland has a new name, and soon, a new location. Now known as AgeLinc, the nonprofit organization is moving into a building that will more than double its square footage. “We’re out of space in our building,” said executive director Carolyn Austin, referring to the organization’s current location at…
Memorial Health System to provide $6 million in funding for new nursing center at LLCC
Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) and Memorial Health System (MHS) have announced a nursing education partnership to address the regional nursing shortage. With support from MHS, LLCC will admit 90 additional students per year to the college’s associate degree nursing program, for a total of 215 new nursing students annually. MHS will provide approximately $6.1…
FWAI Architects acquired by Farnsworth Group
Farnsworth Group, Inc., a national full-service engineering, architecture and survey firm, has acquired FWAI Architects effective Jan. 31. Carl and Kay Fischer founded the firm in 1976, originally known as Carl Fischer Associates until August Wisnosky joined the business in 1982 and it was renamed Fischer-Wisnosky Architects, Inc. In 1996, the name changed to FWAI…
