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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Killian and Associates to relocate
After more than 30 years in the same Fifth Street location, Dr. Terry Killian is relocating his psychiatric and counseling practice to a new home. Killian and Associates SC will be moving south from 1020 South Fifth St. to 3901 Pintail Drive. The practice hopes to be in the new location by the end of […]
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, […]
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. […]

