Carter’s Fish Market offering free Asian carp meals on Saturday
Free meals of Asian carp will be offered at nine locations across this state this Saturday, Oct. 17, including at Carter’s Fish Market, 1900 S. Grand Ave. East from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Owner Clint Carter will prepare and serve Louisiana-style Asian carp hush puppies drizzled with a Remoulade sauce. Beginning Oct. 21, The Barn, 1501…
Dallas Lee Whittaker joins Marine Bank Trust and Investment Team
Dallas Lee Whittaker has joined the Marine Bank Trust and Investment Team. He retired from Prudential Financial, effective Oct. 12, after more than 20 years with the company and has now taken on a new role as senior vice president of the Marine Bank and Trust Investment Management Department. “We are excited to welcome Dallas…
New corporate and general aviation facility dedicated at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
Airport officials, community leaders and aviation stakeholders held a dedication on Oct. 15 to commemorate the opening of the new corporate and general aviation facility at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. “Today, we officially opened a new and modern facility that will serve as the front door to our community for years to come,”…
Managing remote employees and virtual sales
With many employees continuing to work from home for the foreseeable future, some business owners are struggling to manage virtual employees. In addition, the sales process has often transitioned to a virtual one. If you’re frustrated by navigating the nuances of this new virtual reality, join Bob Barber and his special guest, Michael Billington, for…
Kinton Friend joins the Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities
Kinton Friend is the new executive director of the Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities, located at 2005 W. Lawrence Ave. in Springfield. She started her new role on Sept. 21 and relocated from Kansas City, Missouri, where she had served as an administrator for a nursing facility specializing in skilled care. Friend was born and raised…
Building permit roundup – Oct. 5-11
Springfield Clinic obtained a commercial remodel permit for demolition of the existing UC Bank at 500 E. Cook St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $330,000. Bust the Burg, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for a build out at 2501 S. Chatham Road. Brad Milliman is the contractor and…
City’s Economic Development Commission recommends $1 million in TIF for downtown food hall
On Tuesday, the City of Springfield’s Economic Development Commission reviewed a request for up to $1 million in TIF funds to help redevelop the property at 322 E. Adams into a food hall and rooftop bar, unanimously recommending the city council approve the request. When the project was first announced in July, managing partner David…
Carpe Diem CrossFit breaks ground on west side of Springfield
Local business owners Matt and Megan Saxsma, along with Karl and Shawn Backs, are planning to open Carpe Diem CrossFit. The project broke ground last week and a 10,000-square-foot facility is under construction at 4600 Alex Blvd. in Springfield. “This is something that has been in the works since last November,” said Matt Saxsma, who…
Supply chain issues delay opening of Ashley Furniture Outlet
Barney’s Furniture reopened on June 1 when the stay-at-home orders ended, but only long enough to have a going-out-of-business sale. However, owner Barry Seidman said the pandemic was not to blame, and plans were already in the works to convert the location to an Ashley Furniture Outlet. The Seidman family already owns the Ashley HomeStore…
MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express is set to reopen
MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express, 716 E. Enos Ave., is reopening this weekend after being closed for renovations since July due to a fire. An overnight fire on July 17 at the property directly behind MJ’s significantly damaged the roof and back wall of the building. Jerome Taylor, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife,…
Building permit roundup – Sept. 28-Oct. 4
Mall at White Oaks, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for Mission BBQ at 2401 W. Wabash Ave. Forrest Grove East, LLC is the contractor and the project is valued at $550,000. Fred W. Wanless, LLC in care of Barber, Segatto, et al. obtained a commercial building permit for new construction at 1001 Lincolnshire Boulevard.…
Collaborative activism and Black economics webinar
Forefront, a nonprofit that provides resources, training and support for other nonprofit organizations, is offering a free webinar on “Collaborative activism and Black economics” on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. One of the long-standing effects of institutional racism in the United States has been a challenging economic outlook for the Black community. This…
J. Parkes to close
Owner Jan Parkes has announced plans to close her boutique, J. Parkes, as of Dec. 31. She and her sister, Ann, operate the retail store at 315 Chatham Rd. that offers a variety of unique clothing, jewelry and home décor items. In a message to customers posted on the business’ website, Parkes said, “I have…
Harvest Market ramps up hiring in anticipation of November opening
The former County Market on West White Oaks Drive in Springfield is preparing to reopen as the country’s second Harvest Market, a health-oriented grocery store focused on providing farm-to-table options. In anticipation of a mid-November opening, Quincy-based Niemann Foods, Inc. is currently hiring workers to fill approximately 200 positions. According to Gerry Kettler, Niemann’s director…
Serving and improving Springfield’s business community
By Catherine O’Connor Springfield lost two community-minded entrepreneurial giants, Louis Myers and Arnold Stern, within the first week of September 2020. Though Stern and Myers were three years apart in age, they were lifelong friends who had much in common, beginning with primary education at Butler Elementary School followed by graduation from Springfield High School,…
Back to Business Illinois
The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) announced the launch of Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service to connect small businesses of 250 employees or fewer with consultants who will help them evaluate and address workplace safety and health issues related to COVID-19. The consultants will create a plan for small businesses that promotes…
Businesses help parents with remote learning
By Holly Whisler Springfield business MB Heating & Cooling realized that many of their employees were facing a dilemma: go to work, or stay home with kids who are learning remotely. General manager Doug Gholson explained that last spring, the company had a plumber and an installer who could not work a full week because…
Building permit roundup – Sept. 21-Sept. 27
TRI Murti Group LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 1701 N. J. David Jones Parkway. The contractor is CGI Commercial Contracting and the project is valued at $75,000. Keith Hoogland Limited Partnership obtained a commercial remodel permit for a demolition and remodel at 3211 W. Iles Ave. Revival Construction, LLC is the…
Milner Dentistry moves to new, larger location on South Grand Avenue
After an extensive remodeling of the former Coombe-Bloxdorf building, Milner Dentistry has relocated to 755 South Grand Ave., effective Sept. 30. Dr. Ty Milner purchased the building last year as a way to expand his general dentistry practice. Milner’s father, Dr. David Milner, established the dental practice in 1987, which had been located at 201…
Grand opening for Whimsy Tea on Saturday, Oct. 3
Whimsy Tea Company, a popular farmers market vendor, is opening a brick-and-mortar location at 413 E. Adams in downtown Springfield. Gordon and Laura Davis started the business in spring 2019 and credit Springfield’s business ecosystem for their ability to grow rapidly. The couple took advantage of the programs and networking in Innovate Springfield, Springfield Local…
Dr. Tracey Smith starting new job with Illinois Public Health Association
Dr. Tracey Smith is joining the Illinois Public Health Association, 500 W. Monroe, as director of programs and community health, effective Oct. 1. Smith comes to IPHA with a wealth of experience, having most recently served as director of family medicine population health and community outreach and executive director of the Office of Community Initiatives…
Million’s Crab to open in former TGI Fridays
Million’s Crab Boiled Seafood, a Cajun seafood chain based in Ohio, is coming to Springfield as part of an extensive expansion throughout the Midwest. Marketing director Commi Tong said that Million’s Crab plans to open Nov. 1 in the former TGI Fridays space at 2100 W. White Oaks Dr. Tong said that remodeling work is…
Building permit roundup – Sept. 14-Sept. 20
Real Estate Service and Consulting, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 550 W. Miller St. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at $70,000. Lexah, Inc. obtained a commercial remodel permit for 316 E. Adams St. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at $50,000. Colt Properties, LLC…
Cooper’s AlleySide closing, catering and food truck to continue
Cooper’s AlleySide, the brick-and-mortar location for the popular Cooper’s StrEATside Bistro food truck, will close on Oct. 30. Justin and Kendra Cooper opened Cooper’s AlleySide, located inside King Pin Lanes at 3115 E. Sangamon Ave., in April 2017. At the time, the couple told SBJ they had a goal of opening a restaurant since launching…
Twyford BBQ moving business to Puerto Rico
Twyford BBQ & Catering is ending operations in central Illinois and moving the business to Puerto Rico. In a Facebook post, owner Randy Twyford said that as of Sept. 17 he finalized an opportunity that he has been “diligently pursuing” for the past year to relocate to Playa Jobos, Isabella, Puerto Rico. Twyford cited “the…
Jordan Coffey serving as guest chef for Bistro Verde
Bistro Verde, Lincoln Land Community College’s student-run café, has opened this semester as Bistro To Go for curbside pickup. Local chef Jordan Coffey, formerly of American Harvest and of the upcoming Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, is serving as the executive guest chef instructor for this fall’s student-led restaurant. The menu includes items such as smoked…
Dave MacDonna is the new executive director of Sangamon County Department of Community Resources
Dave MacDonna is the new executive director at Sangamon County Department of Community Resources. He began his new position on Sept. 14, replacing Sharmin Doering, who retired in January. MacDonna was most recently the career development manager for Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries. He has also worked as director of communication for both the Illinois’…
