Rock Candy now open for unique holiday gifts
With so many small businesses in Springfield and new ones opening all the time, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. However, having a life-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull in your front window is one way to get people’s attention. Rock Candy opened for business on Nov. 4, and while…
Tamar Kutz promoted at Memorial Health System
Tamar Kutz has been promoted to administrator of ambulatory operations for Memorial Health System, effective Oct. 1. In her new role, Kutz is responsible for Memorial Home Services, one of seven affiliates of Memorial Health System, which includes home health, home hospice, home infusion and durable medical equipment. She is also responsible for advanced care…
Paul Ellis steps down as president of Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation
Springfield isn’t the only city in central Illinois looking for a new leader for their economic development organization. Paul Ellis has stepped down as president of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) to take a position as director of economic development for the city of Fairview Heights, Illinois. Ellis explained, “I was approached by…
Forefront hosts #ILGive for #GivingTuesday – Nov. 27
As the holiday season ramps up, so does charitable giving. More donations are made at year end than any other time. As a boost to that effort, nonprofit organizations are increasingly participating in #Giving Tuesday, the annual event on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 27 this year — helping spotlight charitable causes and…
ISA to host 11th annual Holiday Farmers Markets
Illinois Stewardship Alliance will host their eleventh annual Holiday Farmers Markets in Springfield this year on Saturday, Nov. 18 in the Expo Building and Saturday, Dec. 16 in the Orr Building on the State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.Illinois Stewardship Alliance will host their eleventh annual Holiday Farmers Markets in Springfield…
Ryan Development builds second phase on Hedley Road
Mike Ryan of Ryan Homes and Development, Inc. has purchased the former Super Wash at 3121 Hedley Road in Springfield to build a retail center. The site, across from Lowes, is located just east of his current project at 3141 Hedley where Ryan is putting the finishing touches on a newly constructed strip center. The…
Women in Startups and Investment – Nov 20
If you’re interested in obtaining funding for a startup company, investing in one, or networking with other women who are engaged in startups, Innovate Springfield is hosting a program on Women in Startups and Investment from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20. Innovate Springfield will be facilitating a conversation with women who have started, scaled,…
Downtown Kiwanis Club donates to St. John’s Children’s Hospital K-Kart Program
On Nov. 1, HSHS St. John’s Foundation celebrated a $35,000 donation from the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Springfield to fund the HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital K-Kart Program. K-karts are specialized carts that will be utilized in various departments within the children’s hospital. The carts include sensory carts for pediatrics, surgery and the emergency department,…
Jon Austin steps down from SAAC; accepts position with FEMA
Jon Austin, the executive director of Springfield Area Arts Council (SAAC), has stepped down in order to accept a position with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). In his new role, Austin will be working with FEMA to assist with museum restoration after disasters such as the recent hurricanes and wildfires. Austin joined the Arts…
Gary Hinkle joins Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc.
Gary Hinkle has joined the staff of Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc. Hinkle brings almost 20 years of previous architectural experience in the visual arts and the architectural profession to Graham & Hyde and previously worked for Nudo Products, J.H. Petty & Associates and Hurwitz Enterprises. “Gary brings a unique set of attributes to Graham…
Building permit roundup – Nov 9
Capital City Trust, C/O Mid-America Asset Management has obtained a commercial remodeling permit for AMC Springfield 8, located at 2945 S. Dirksen Parkway. The permit covers interior and exterior remodeling, MEP renovations, fixtures furnishings and equipment replacement. The contractor is Madison, Wisconsin-based Tri-North Builders, and the project is valued at $2,247,973. Shop N Save, Inc.…
Public hearing on Springfield’s comprehensive plan Nov 16
On Monday, Oct. 16, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder announced the 2017-2037 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Springfield: Forging a New Legacy. The plan’s steering committee was compromised of city staff and citizen members, in partnership with the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission. The proposed plan is currently available for review online at the City…
Building permit roundup – Nov. 1
The following building and zoning permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Oct. 23, 2017 and Oct. 29, 2017: U.S. Bank has obtained a permit for commercial demolition at 3009 S. Dirksen Parkway. The permit covers the removal of a kiosk ATM building, removal of a concrete island, and lot repair with compacted…
St. Johns Hospital brings Project Fit America to Dubois Elementary
On Tuesday, Oct. 24, HSHS St. John’s Hospital officials and Springfield Public School District 186 administrators, teachers and students gathered at Dubois Elementary School to celebrate the launch of Project Fit America. St. John’s Hospital has sponsored the Project Fit America Wellness Grant Initiative in area schools since 2013, when the program was introduced at…
Key housing market indicators went up in September
According to the Capital Area REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, September statistics indicate a year-over-year increases in a variety of arenas, including closed sales, median sale price and days on market. The September statistics also show declines in new listings, pending sales, and the inventory of homes available for sale. In September 2017, the median home…
Home décor and apparel retailer Gordmans is hiring for the holidays
Despite the bankruptcy announcement made earlier this year by Stage Stores Inc., the parent company of national apparel and home décor retailer Gordmans, the Springfield Gordmans store, located at 3231 S. Veterans Parkway, will remain open to deal-seeking shoppers throughout the holiday season. Gordmans is known for selling high quality, brand-name products at discounted prices,…
Father-son team launches Safe House Home Inspections
Safe House Home Inspections is open for business. The locally owned and operated father-and-son team offers home inspections, termite inspections, septic inspections, radon testing, water quality tests and additional services to home buyers and sellers in the Springfield and central Illinois area. With two generations of experience inspecting homes and more than 5,000 home inspections…
Sherwood Plaza construction and tenant update
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Less than a year since the Kmart on West Wabash closed, the former big box store is nearly unrecognizable. The property owner, Seritage Growth Properties, is a publicly traded REIT and has a large portfolio of properties nationwide, specializing in redeveloping former Kmart and Sears locations into multi-tenant shopping centers. Based out…
Dan Deweese and his growing painting company – “People love the work we do. They’re amazed by it.”
BY WHITNEY BARNES Dan Deweese Wood Finishing thought he had realistic expectations when he started Dan Deweese Painting and Wood Finishing in November 2014. “When I started, it was just me,” said Deweese. He brought on a friend two weeks later, and was up to five employees after three months, and a staff of 12…
Gases fuel profits at ILMO Products – A family company pulling business out of thin air for 104 years
BY DAVID BLANCHETTE A Jacksonville-based family company has been pulling business out of thin air for 104 years. But they are not just sitting on their gases. They continue to add product lines and find new uses for existing ones. ILMO Products Company is a distributor of industrial, laboratory, medical, cryogenic and propane gases in…
LLCC/LRS Aviation Center Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 25
Join Levi Ray & Shoup, Inc., Lincoln Land Community College, and elected officials for an open house event and ribbon cutting celebrating the new Levi, Ray & Shoup Aviation Center at LLCC. The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with an open house from 4-5 p.m., and a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m.,…
Building permit roundup – Oct. 25
The following building and zoning permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Oct. 16, 2017 and Oct. 22, 2017: Fred Wanless, LLC has obtained a permit for new construction to build the On Track Car Wash, located at 840 Stanford. The contractor is Quincy-based CSI Construction Management, and the project is valued at…
John Barber: Determined and persistent, an inspiration
John Barber, 79, lost his courageous fight against cancer on October 18. He was an inspiration for many during his last few years of life, joining CrossFit and continuing to stay active as much as he could. His inspiration, though, was something witnessed by many throughout his career. He was also determined, determined to improve…
Kevin Seely named president and CEO at HSHS St. Francis Hospital
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, HSHS St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield announced the appointment of Kevin G. Seely, PA, MBA-HA, MS-IHMP, as president and CEO. Seely is the replacement for past president and CEO Patti Fischer, who now serves as the chief operating officer at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. With more than 25 years of…
Two new food trucks debut on Springfield’s east side
Grub N Out and YUM-YUM HIBACHI ON WHEELS are two new food trucks with permanent locations on Springfield’s east side. The two trucks occupy space in the parking lot of The Hitting Center and Hope Thrift Store, located at 1800 S. Dirksen Parkway. Grub N Out’s proprietors are Dawn and Michael Whalen, and the phone…
District 23 to occupy The Wardrobe building, starting in February 2018
On Friday, Oct. 20, District 23, a women’s clothing and accessories boutique whose sales benefit the Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation, announced plans to move their Springfield shop to a new location near the MacArthur corridor in February 2018. The popular retail shop, currently located at 1413 S. MacArthur Blvd., will occupy the building at 830…
