Building permits – Sept. 18 – Sept. 24
Lincoln Memorial Garden % James Matheis received a commercial accessory structure permit for 2301 East Lake Shore Drive. Contractor is Michael Von Behren Builder, Inc., and the project is valued at $1,078,560. The Yard Springfield LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 1650 Wabash Ave., Suite J. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services, Inc., and the…
Steve Gnuse joins First Bankers Trust
Steve Gnuse has joined First Bankers Trust Company, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares, Inc., as senior vice president of commercial banking, effective Sept. 18. Gnuse has 40 years of experience in the banking industry and most recently was a senior vice president at Heartland Bank and Trust Company, formerly Town and Country…
Groundbreaking for Scheels Sports Park
Ceremonial shovels turning over dirt Sept. 20 signaled the start of construction for a $67 million sports complex that city officials said will make Springfield a popular destination for young people competing on traveling athletic teams from throughout the Midwest and beyond. “This puts Springfield on the map for sports tourism,” Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher…
Springfield Clinic to be major sponsor for Scheels Sports Park
Springfield Clinic’s name and logo will appear on the inflated dome of a 190,000-square-foot structure for indoor practices and competitions at Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe. That name recognition for the clinic, one of the largest multispecialty medical groups in Illinois, is just one part of its involvement as the park’s official Health and…
Virginia Colletti, Kathy Seadler join Compass for Kids
Compass for Kids has hired two staff members for newly created positions as part of the organization’s expansion. Virginia Colletti is serving as the coordinator of the new youth leadership development program, which will allow Compass to expand services to older students. Colletti previously worked as a teacher in the Ball-Chatham and Springfield school districts,…
Makeover Dental opens in Springfield
Secure Dental has a new name and a new owner. Dr. Jorge Mosquera purchased the dental practice at 687 E. Linton Ave. as of Sept. 1 and plans to rebrand it as Makeover Dental. “We’re planning to build an implant center; that’s going to be our main focus,” said David Gallego, the practice manager. “Dr.…
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market opens
Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market has opened in Montvale Junction, the latest venture from longtime Springfield restaurateurs Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti. The restaurant held a soft opening Sept. 20 and then posted on Facebook “to say we are overwhelmed with the flood of customers would be an understatement. …We’re almost out of everything and…
Five Below opening new stores in Springfield, Jacksonville
Five Below has announced a second store in Springfield and a new location in Jacksonville as part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans. Citing “momentum” from 2022 holiday sales, Five Below announced plans earlier this year to open more than 200 new stores in fiscal 2023. The retailer targets teens and tweens with merchandise that…
Chase closing downtown branch
Chase has announced the closure of its downtown Springfield branch, four years after significantly downsizing that location. In a Sept. 13 letter sent to customers, Chase informed clients the branch at 531 E. Washington St. will be closing Dec. 12 and referred customers to the location at 200 S. Dirksen Parkway. Chase also has a…
Building permits – Sept.11– Sept. 17
The city of Springfield received a commercial building permit for 600 Rickard Road. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $400,000. The city of Springfield received a commercial building permit for 3120 Spaulding Orchard Road. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $400,000. Grant Holdings II LLC received a…
Ryan Wolfe joins Bank of Springfield
Ryan Wolfe has joined Bank of Springfield (BOS) as vice president of commercial lending. His product specializations include commercial real estate financing, commercial lines of credit, small business lending and equipment financing. Wolfe has 23 years of banking experience and previously worked for Morton Community Bank, formerly Marine Bank, in Springfield as a commercial banker.…
Last day of operations for Sportsman’s Lounge
Every seat was filled at Sportsman’s Lounge at lunchtime Friday, with the announcement that it would be the final day of operations for the longtime neighborhood restaurant and tavern. The bar has operated under various names since 1935 and as Sportsman’s Lounge since 1957. Four local investors, Greg Sronce, Matthew Davlin, Zach Washko and Dan…
The Railyard, an outdoor food venue, opening soon
The Railyard, an outdoor food venue based around shipping containers, is expected to open within 30 days. The property is just north of the newly constructed overpass on South Sixth Street, part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Projects. Initially announced in 2021, there have been some adjustments to the original plans. “We were planning on…
Express Employment offering complimentary webinar, “Maximizing Performance Reviews in the 21st Century”
Express Employment Professionals, in partnership with Frontline Training Solutions, is offering a complimentary webinar, “Maximizing Performance Reviews in the 21st Century,” on Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, traditional performance reviews often fall short in providing the timely and proactive feedback that employees crave. These reviews tend to be backward-looking, assessing…
Building permits – Sept. 4– Sept. 10
Jawad Qattum received a commercial remodel permit for 806 Black Ave. Contractor is Brian Concrete and the project is valued at $14,800. Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust received a commercial permit for 3401 Freedom Drive. Contractor is Truman Contracting, LLC and the project is valued at $1,377,084. JJR Properties LLC received a commercial remodel permit…
Fluorescent Reefs opens on West Jefferson
A unique retail business has recently transitioned from online-only to a brick-and-mortar location. Fluorescent Reefs opened Aug. 14 at 615 W. Jefferson St., Suite B. “The store is brand-new,” said Dustin Shreves, who co-owns the business with his wife, Jen Shreves. “We were online for about three-and-a-half years; we sold coral on Instagram and also…
Mick and Mary’s in Thayer is worth the drive
With all due respect to the fine people of Thayer, it’s not a location that’s top of mind for a nice dinner out. But that may be because they haven’t heard of Mick and Mary’s. Mick and Mary’s has had different owners over the years, and the place has ebbed and flowed. My personal favorite…
Craig Tobias joins Warren-Boynton State Bank
Craig Tobias has joined Warren-Boynton State Bank as vice president and chief information officer. He previously worked for Marine Bank – now Morton Community Bank – and Illini Bank. He brings more than 27 years of experience in local community banking with a focus in operations and information technology. Tobias graduated from Eastern Illinois University…
Building permits – Aug. 28 – Sept. 3
Julian Ventures LLL received a commercial accessory structure permit for 2801 Farmers Market Road. Contractor is Blunier Builders and the project is valued at $140,000. Sangamon County received a commercial remodel permit for 1 Copley Plaza. Contractor is R.D. Lawrence Construction Co. Ltd. and the project is valued at $5.1 million. Koch Springfield LLC received…
Bigley Insurance Agency opens
Bigley Insurance Agency has opened at 677 Linton Ave. as of Sept. 5. Owner Nicole Bigley worked for the AAA Insurance corporate office for five years, first as an insurance agent in the Springfield branch and later as an assistant manager overseeing the Springfield, Champaign, Bloomington and Peoria offices. The AAA Insurance office at 1915…
Owner of Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Jacksonville shifting focus
Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Jacksonville has closed, but owner Mike Hayes said the property will reopen next month with a different focus. Hayes, a Jacksonville native and real estate developer, opened Waters Edge Winery at 1061 East Morton Ave in May 2021. It was the 19th franchise for the California-based company, which specializes…
When crisis reveals the best life has to offer
By Holly A. Whisler Chris Schmulbach has been a competitor since he was a boy racing motocross. He liked it so much he turned pro and raced Supercross. After years of risk-taking and sustaining numerous broken bones, he decided to retire from racing and play it safe, especially since he was now a husband and…
Q&A with Angie Sowle
By David Blanchette Angie Sowle grew up in a small town in Iowa where the YMCA was an integral part of the community. The summer before her senior year of college, she had an internship at her hometown YMCA, overseeing a summer program for low-income children. Seeing the profound effects it had on the children’s…
Travelers Kitchen to hold grand opening Sept. 8
Travelers Kitchen, a restaurant specializing in African cuisine, has been open since April but is now planning a Sept. 8 grand opening to roll out its expanded menu and extended operating hours. “We’ve been up and running with a limited menu,” said owner Ansumana Darboe. “We’ve been trying it out to see what the community…
CILCSA to host workshop on “The Intangible It”
The Central Illinois Customer Service Association (CILCSA) is hosting a workshop on “The Intangible It,” featuring Jack Stahlmann, on Thursday, Oct. 5. Stahlmann, also known as the “don’t flinch guy,” inspires organizations by sharing the lessons he has learned in Los Angeles as an actor, producer, director, and of course, a waiter. By sharing humorous…
Ace Mechanical
Established: 2017 Owners: John and Lisa Mikuleza Employees: 6 Services: HVAC John and Lisa Mikuleza opened Ace Mechanical in October 2017. “I decided to open the business because I came from an entrepreneurial family and always saw myself owning my own business,” John said. “I also wanted to create an HVAC business that was honest…
ACTS, Inc.
Established: 1991 Owners: Tom Dickey and Tyler Mullen Employees: 3 Services: Construction In 1990, Tom Dickey was managing a heavy-equipment dealership when two men came to his office to discuss a newly invented horizontal-directional drill. “After seeing what this equipment could do, I knew from my experience and contacts in sales that this was the…
CheckPoint Tire & Service Center
Established: 1998 Owners: Bill Law and Randy McNeal Employees: 11 Services: automotive Bill Law and Randy McNeal were both managing Firestone shops when they decided to take the plunge and launch their own automotive store. CheckPoint Tire & Service Center opened in January 1998 and is still running strong today. “We wanted to get away…
DeHeve’s Tavern
Established: 1951 Owner: Dana DeHeve Employees: 4 Services: Bar and restaurant In August 2023, Dana DeHeve took ownership of a longtime family business. DeHeve’s Tavern opened on July 21, 1951, when DeHeve’s grandparents used part of their house to start the business. “They turned the front part of the house into the tavern, and they…
Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts & Research Center
Established: 2013 Owners: John T. Crisp Jr. Employees: 1 Services: nonprofit Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts & Research Center began in 2013. The center’s mission is to provide services of interest to the African American community while sharing a viable support system that speaks to the community’s educational, emotional and cultural needs. The GTCARC provides educational…
Harry’s Pharmacy
Established: 1976 Owner: Scott Borntreger Employees: 4 Services: Pharmacy Harry’s Pharmacy has been an Auburn landmark since 1976. Scott Borntreger credits the founder, Harry Buck, with being influential in the decision for he and his wife, Michelle, to take over the pharmacy in 1991. “I had been a pharmacist for five years before that and…
Height Media
Established: 2017 Owner: Josh Catalano Employees: 3 Services: ad agency In the summer of 2017, Josh Catalano left his full-time job as an art director and opened Height Media later that year. A graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield, Catalano is a photographer and videographer who specializes in branding, marketing, website design and development, social media and…
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery
Established: 1989 Owner: MOCN Board of Directors Employees: 11 Services: nonprofit In the 1980s, Marinda “Mini” O’Beirne fell in love with the idea of preventing child abuse through crisis nursery services. These were not readily available in Sangamon County, so O’Beirne spent two years planning a way to bring those services here. Unfortunately, she died…
Northern Lights Lounge
Established: 1993 Owners: Susan and Doug Bloemke Employees: 8 Services: bar and restaurant Northern Lights Lounge opened in 1993. In 2018, Susan and Doug Bloemke took ownership of the lounge and were sure to keep the personal service, atmosphere and good times that the customers had grown to love. Susan knew firsthand what made Northern…
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Established: 2020 Owners: Theo and Kristin Spilman Employees: 15 Services: Bakery Theo and Kristin Spilman opened Nothing Bundt Cakes in August of 2020. The couple wanted to create an opportunity for community growth in their hometown. The business is a from-scratch bakery, as they bake and frost all cakes onsite, which delivers high-impact results. Joy…
The Missy Grady Home Team – The Real Estate Group
Established: 2016 Owners: Missy Grady Employees: 5 Services: Real estate In 2001, Missy Grady left her teaching career to become a full-time real estate broker. She initially joined her family firm, Grady Realtors Inc., which was established in 1969. In 2016, the firm merged with The Real Estate Group Inc., which had been in business…
TNS Detailing and Restoration
Established: 2019 Owner: Nicole Woods-Malcom and Timothy Stanfield Employees: 5 Services: automotive TNS Detailing & Restoration was formed in October 2019 when Tim Stanfield and Nicole Woods-Malcom decided to draw on their years of auto detailing experience. “Nicole had a major battle with metastatic cancer in 2018 that placed a strain on the family budget,”…
Tom Day Business Machines
Established: 1981 Owners: Dale and Debbie Smith Employees: 9 Services: Business equipment Tom Day began his business in 1981 and kept it running in Springfield for three decades. In 2011, Dale and Debbie Smith purchased Tom Day Business Machines and still operate it today. “Tom Day Business Machines is a premier provider of a complete…
Village Tea Room & Gift Shoppes
Established: 2016 Owners: Jennifer and Wayne Friday Employees: 6 Services: Restaurant and gift shop “We would visit tea rooms and my husband, who is my biggest supporter, encouraged me and helped me to open the business,” said Jennifer. The tea room is a fun place to have lunch or host a party. Each room is…
Wooden It Be Lovely
Established: 2016 Executive director: Rev. Margaret Ann Jessup Employees: 5 Services: Nonprofit Wooden It Be Lovely was founded in 2016 to help meet a need in the community. “There are women who want to heal from hard lives but faced numerous barriers to success, which included finding employers that would or could hire them,” said…
Kimberly Eck rejoins Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has hired Kimberly Eck as philanthropic administrator. Her responsibilities include processing gifts and grants, database management, providing support for the Foundation’s grant programs, and organizing and directing special events. “I am extremely excited to rejoin the Community Foundation team on a full-time basis,” said Eck. “It is…
‘Shoes, Brews & Biz on Oct. 5
Come out to the LRS Hanger at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5-9 p.m. for ‘Shoes, Brews & Biz, hosted by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor Bank & Trust Company. Sample unique horseshoes and craft beers from area restaurants and breweries, plus tour the car and motorcycle…
Bistro Verde reopens Sept. 5
Bistro Verde, Lincoln Land Community College’s student-led café, reopens Sept. 5 and will serve customers Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The café is open as Bistro To Go, a counter service concept, from Sept. 5-Oct. 5, offering soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, coffees and drinks. From Oct. 24-Nov. 16 (closed…
IWIL symposium: Empowered Women Empower Women coming Sept. 28
The 11th annual Illinois Women in Leadership symposium, Empowered Women Empower Women, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Crowne Plaza. The symposium is comprised of 10 sessions and promises a day of inspiration, motivation and actionable tips for both professional and personal fulfillment. According to Desiree Logsdon, an IWIL member and symposium…
Building permits – Aug. 21 – Aug. 27
Mitchell R. King received a commercial remodel permit for 310 Dickinson Road. Contractor is Clint Siefers and the project is valued at $250,000. Wolf Family Investment Fund LLLP received a commercial remodel permit for 1516 Seven Pines Road. Contractor is Recon Construction and the project is valued at $75,000. BBT16 LLC received a commercial fence…
Re/Max Professionals to hold open house Sept. 29
Re/Max Professionals will hold a grand opening on Friday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. for its new office at 2667 Farragut Drive. The new office is next door to the original location, which opened in 1986. “The industry has changed significantly,” said owner Jim Fulgenzi. “A traditional office layout doesn’t really suit our needs anymore.”…
Rambach Insurance Agency takes over services for closed AAA Springfield office
The AAA Springfield office has closed, but Rambach Insurance Agency has taken over its services, and several of the staff members as well. The AAA Insurance office at 1915 W. Iles Ave. closed as of Aug. 18. “I was at that branch for about 10 years, then ended up opening up an agency, and it…
Ryan Bandy opening Papi’s Pizza Pub
Papi’s Pizza Pub is coming to Springfield with what owner Ryan Bandy describes as Latin-inspired pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches, plus American classics. Bandy said he has purchased the property at 1710 S. MacArthur Boulevard that previously housed Pie’s the Limit. Owners Chris Hanken and Vic Lanzotti closed the restaurant at the end of July,…
Phoenix Center relocates and expands retail store
The Phoenix Center has relocated and expanded its retail store, now known as OUT on Second, located at the corner of Second and Scarritt streets. The original retail space and resource center, OUT on Adams, opened in 2021 at 213 E. Adams St., between Café Moxo and The Elf Shelf Music and Records. The OUT…
B3 Performance & Aesthetic Medicine opens on West White Oaks Drive
Helping people “look better, feel better and perform better” is the goal of B3 Performance & Aesthetic Medicine. “We’re a new clinic and we have a unique approach to things,” said owner Dr. Clinton Holaday. The clinic at 2131 W. White Oaks Dr. offers a variety of services, from medical spa procedures to treatment for…
Building permits – Aug. 14 – Aug. 21
Mid-American Asset Management Inc. received a commercial remodel permit for 3121 S. Dirksen Parkway. Contractor is Atlas Building Group and the project is valued at $250,000. JLN Enterprises LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 1601 Converse Ave. Contractor is Jeff Nemecek and the project is valued at $75,000. Matthew Holdings LLC received a commercial…
