Applications now open for free tech skills training course
Applications are now being accepted for a unique tech training program that aims to build a more inclusive tech workforce in Central Illinois. Illinois Reboot is a free, live virtual course created and presented by the University of Illinois Research Park, with sponsorship support from American Family Insurance. It provides participants with a foundation in…
Creative Reuse Marketplace store opens June 2
By Karen Ackerman Witter The Creative Reuse Marketplace (CRM) store, opening June 2 in downtown Springfield, is not your typical store. If you’re an artist, teacher, scrapbooker, hobbyist, creative individual or enjoy making things with your kids or grandkids, this place is for you. Yarn, fabric, colorful plastic pieces, metal parts, ribbon, jewelry, cards, bottle…
Lucky Dog’s slated to open across the street from Portillo’s.
A new gourmet hot dog restaurant is slated to open across the street from Portillo’s. While Lucky Dog’s, 2975 Lindbergh Blvd., will be a fraction of the size of the 7,800-square-foot Portillo’s that opened last December, it will offer liquor and video gaming in addition to a build-your-own hot dog menu. Owner Gene Rowell operates…
Former Creve Coeur Camera space getting two new tenants
The former Creve Coeur Camera space in Parkway Pointe is being renovated to accommodate two new tenants. The camera shop, located at 2955 Lindbergh Blvd., closed in April 2019. Shawn Miller is a U.S. Air Force veteran who opened his own Allstate Insurance Agency in February 2020 and is hoping to relocate to the Lindbergh…
Building permit roundup – May 10-May 16
Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 3401 S. Freedom Drive. That project is valued at 1,700,000. A commercial remodel permit was also obtained for 2760 N. Dirksen Parkway. That project is valued at $990,000. Poettker Construction Company is the contractor for both projects. St. John’s Hospital of Hospital…
Illinois Products Farmers’ Market
The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Illinois Products Farmers’ Market will open for the season on Thursday, May 13 from 4-7 p.m. at The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. “If there is one silver lining to this past year, it is how aware we have become about where our food comes from,” said Jerry Costello…
Building permit roundup – May 3-May 9
O’Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for an addition at 2535 South Grand Ave. East. G.M. Northrup Corp. is the contractor and the project is valued at $513,194. St. John’s Hospital of Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of OSF obtained a commercial non-structural demolition remodel permit for 800 E. Carpenter. The…
Peace, Love & Sweat opening on Liberty Drive
COVID-19 prompted Ann Cowhick to make a career change, and she hopes to have her new business up and running by July. She had worked in retail for a number of years but always had an interest in health and wellness. “When COVID happened and we were shut down for three months last year, I…
Spaces for “we” and “me”
By Holly Whisler “It has to be rough to be in the office furniture business right now,” is a comment often heard by Chris Davis, vice president of operations and account manager at Resource One Interior Solutions & Design, 321 E. Adams St., since COVID-19 forced many people to work from home. However, “Our market…
Damon Priddy opening his own State Farm office
After more than two decades in the hospitality industry, Damon Priddy is pursuing a new business venture. He will be opening his own State Farm office, Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services, at 2951 Montvale Ave. on June 1. “I’ve been in the hospitality industry for 20 years; that’s the only thing I’ve ever done.…
Kristina Barbee joins MSF&W
Kristina Barbee has started a new job with MSF&W Consulting as an IT business analyst, as of May 5. Previously, she worked for Horace Mann in a similar capacity and had been employed there since 2013. “I was doing research on different career opportunities in the area and came across MSF&W. Not only are they…
Legal Files helps companies stay organized
By David Blanchette A Springfield firm that was formed to satisfy an unmet need has now been keeping the legal profession organized for three decades. “My father, Ron Kanoski, was looking for a software application to use in his firm, but couldn’t find anything that was quite right,” said John Kanoski, CEO of Legal…
Lisa Clemmons Stott announces her resignation from DSI
Lisa Clemmons Stott, executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc., will be stepping down at the end of this month. She has served in that role since 2015. “I came to DSI with a strong mandate to strengthen the organization so that we could turn ‘potential’ into ‘reality’ and be the strongest voice possible for downtown…
Grand opening event for Carpe Diem CrossFit
Carpe Diem CrossFit, a 10,000-square-foot facility at 4600 Alex Blvd. in Springfield, opened on May 10 and is holding a grand opening event on Monday. Local business owners Matt and Megan Saxsma, along with Karl and Shawn Backs, broke ground for the new business last fall and originally hoped to be open by January. “The…
J&J Ventures Gaming acquires Illinois Gaming Systems
J&J Ventures Gaming has acquired Illinois Gaming Systems, and the purchase of all gaming operations of IGS will give J&J Ventures nearly 3,000 locations in gaming and amusements. J&J Ventures Gaming and J&J Ventures Amusements are headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, where their predecessor, J&J Ventures, Inc., began route operations in 1929. IGS is headquartered in…
Building permit roundup – April 26-May 2
Cobblestone Place, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for an emergency remodel after vehicle damage at 4141 W. Yucan Drive. The contractor is Joyner Construction Services, Inc. and the project is valued at $10,000. Springfield Clinic, LLP obtained a commercial building permit for 1028 S. Seventh St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project…
Arena Food Service acquires GÜDgut.life
Arena Food Service has acquired GÜDgut.life, but not much has changed, other than the company’s plans for growth. In 2018, David Radwine, who had previously worked as executive chef at the Sangamo Club, and Dennis Bringuet, owner of Ace Sign Company, teamed up to launch a new company that would provide healthier options for workplace…
Downtown’s upper stories
By Carey Smith The heart of a vibrant downtown is its residents, who often work, live and play all within the same walkable community. The patterns of revitalization repeat in mid-sized cities across the nation. After decades of development on the edges of a community, which unerringly decimate downtowns and city cores, residents begin to…
2021 Women of Influence
Click to view the 2021 Women of Influence
BOS Asset Management has acquired L.A. Burton & Associates
BOS Asset Management, a newly created registered investment advisory firm, has acquired L.A. Burton & Associates following the retirement of owner Larry Burton. “It was an acquisition of his book of business; he was retiring after 27 years,” said Brian Brewer, senior vice president and program manager for BOS Investment Services. Brewer also serves as…
John Kelker announces plans to retire from United Way of Central Illinois
John Kelker has announced his intention to retire as president and chief professional officer of the United Way of Central Illinois (UWCIL), effective April 1, 2022. Kelker began his career as president of the local United Way in 1996. During his tenure, Kelker has grown the organization’s resource development efforts while embracing a national Community…
J&J Ventures Gaming acquires Illinois Gaming Systems
J&J Ventures Gaming has acquired Illinois Gaming Systems, and the purchase of all gaming operations of IGS will give J&J Ventures nearly 3,000 locations in gaming and amusements. J&J Ventures Gaming and J&J Ventures Amusements are headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, where their predecessor, J&J Ventures, Inc., began route operations in 1929. IGS is headquartered in…
Black-Owned Business Vendor Fair
The Springfield Park District and Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Black-Owned Business Vendor Fair on Sunday, May 2 from 1-4 p.m. at Erin’s Pavilion in Southwind Park. “One of the many challenges that Black businesses owners are faced with is lack of exposure,” said Dominic Watson, president of the Springfield Black Chamber…
Building permit roundup – April 19-April 25
Springcar Company, LLC in care of Carnegie Center obtained a commercial remodel permit for 900 E. Linton Ave., R. D. Lawrence Construction Co. Ltd. is the contractor and the project is valued at $750,000. Horace Mann Service Corp. obtained a commercial accessory structure permit for 905 E. Jefferson. B & B Electric, Inc. is the…
SJ-R building back on the market, asking price reduced by more than $1 million
The State Journal-Register building at 915 E. Capitol Ave. is back on the market, with a significant price reduction. Last month, Illinois Times reported that the building was under contract to an undisclosed buyer for slightly less than the asking price of $2.9 million. Now, the property is back on the market at a list…
New data tracker shows decline in small business — hospitality businesses experienced largest decrease
By Sarah Mansur, Capitol News Illinois Hospitality jobs in Illinois have declined nearly 52% since the pandemic began, according to new data, as lawsuits continue against the governor’s orders to close nonessential businesses. While leisure and hospitality jobs were hit the hardest, the number of small businesses open in Illinois overall has fallen by about…
Building permit roundup – April 12-April 18
National Retail Properties, LP in care of Road Ranger, LLC obtained a commercial permit for a new parking lot at 3531 E. Lumber Lane. The contractor is unknown and the project is valued at $180,000. Cali, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 2805 S. West White Oaks Drive. The contractor is John…
IC BBQ opening on Springfield’s north end
An accountant and entertainer have teamed up to bring a new barbeque restaurant to Springfield. IC BBQ is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 24 in the former Turbo Fire Pizza space at 2415 N. Dirksen Parkway. Jason Shields owns Shields Accounting Services, a private accounting firm with offices in Springfield and Panama City, Florida.…
Bella Boutique to add Bar Bella
A bar might seem like an odd business venture to pair with a women’s boutique, but Elizabeth “Liz” Eckert is used to trying new things. She became the new owner of Bella Boutique, 2805 W. White Oaks Dr., shortly before the pandemic led to the closure of all non-essential businesses, including her store. Unable to…
