Posted inColumns

Knob Hill acquires Designer Landscapes

Knob Hill Landscape Company has acquired Designer Landscapes, marking the second time the business has recently changed hands. Patty Brockmeyer founded Designer Landscapes in 1985 and operated the Farmersville-based business for four decades before selling it in September to Bill Wells, who also owns Illinois Paving. “Since then, he’s had some health issues and made […]

Posted inBuilding Permits

Building permits –April 13 to April 19

Sangamon County received a commercial new construction permit for 1023 E. Washington St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $3.2 million. Springfield Southern Baptist Church received a commercial remodel permit for 201 North Grand Ave. E. Contractor is Michael Robertson and the project is valued at $1,000. Cobblestone Place LLC received […]

Posted inColumns

Long John Silver’s opens

Long John Silver’s held a ribbon cutting April 17 for its new location at 3112 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield. The newly constructed restaurant with a modern design was built between Hilton Garden Inn and Shangri-La Dispensary, near LJS’s previous location in the Capital City Shopping Center. A $1 million building permit was filed in […]

Posted inColumns

Hadley’s Cards and Coins opens

Buying and selling coins and cards is in Tim Hadley’s genes. Hadley’s late father operated a coin shop in Peoria for many years, and Hadley is now carrying on the family tradition, opening up Hadley’s Cards and Coins in Springfield. The shop at 1051 Wabash Ave. carries U.S. and foreign coins and currency, basketball, baseball […]

Posted inColumns

High School Healthcare Bootcamps

High school students interested in a career in health care are invited to apply for the Summer 2026 High School Healthcare Bootcamps at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. The bootcamps are designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in […]

Posted inColumns

The Creek expands

The Creek Pub & Grill in Chatham has completed a significant expansion. Owner Perry McAtee said he removed the wall behind the bar and remodeled the adjacent area, adding about 2,200 square feet to allow for increased offerings. The new space, known as “The Creek-Easy,” will be reserved for 21 and over to allow for […]

Posted inColumns

Jerzi Rae’s Boutique closing

Jerzi Rae’s Boutique is closing shop this week after just a year in its Springfield location. Friday will be the last day of business for the fashion boutique located at 1927 W. Iles Ave. Owner Sommer Henrikson relocated Jerzi Rae’s from its former location in Williamsville to Springfield in April 2025, hoping that moving to […]

Posted inBuilding Permits

Building permits –April 6 to April 12

Sangamon County received a commercial demolition permit for 1023 Washington St. Contractor is Sangamon County and the project is valued at $30,000. Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois received a commercial remodel permit for 946 S. First St. Contractor is Otto Baum Company Inc. and the project is valued at $190,000. Legacy Pointe Development Co. LLC […]

Posted inNews

Springfield slated to lose ambulance provider

LifeStar Ambulance Service Inc., one of three ambulance providers responding to 911 calls in Springfield and transporting patients to local hospitals, is slated to be barred from operating in Sangamon County after May 25 because of health care deficiencies cited by Springfield Memorial Hospital. “We’re working with our attorneys to try and come up with […]

Posted inColumns

Bespoke Café and Kitchen opening

A new breakfast, brunch and lunch spot will be opening soon in the former Ugly Restaurant and Bar location on Wabash Avenue. Renovation is underway to transform the storefront at 2312 Wabash Ave. into the Bespoke Café and Kitchen. Bespoke is owned by Irfan Djaferi, his wife Dia Djaferi, and his brother-in-law Neti Nuhiji. Nuhiji, […]

Posted inColumns

Downtown Subway closes

Just over a year after it reopened under new ownership, the downtown Subway has closed again. In March 2025, ECI Investments purchased six of the eight locations owned by longtime operator Vern Evans after he retired following 25 years in the central Illinois market. Four of those acquisitions were in Springfield: 607 E. Adams St. […]

Gift this article