Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop opened five months ago in downtown Springfield and is now operating under new ownership. Ashley Rickenbach, who was initially overseeing day-to-day operations, relocated from Austin, Texas, to Springfield and partnered with Benjamin Galbraith and Matthew and Rachael Hurley to launch Schlee’s. The establishment at 225 S. Sixth St. focuses on […]
Columns
Posted inPeople on the Move
LLCC names new president
Lincoln Land Community College has named Curt Oldfield as its next president. Oldfield currently is president of Spoon River College, a community college in Canton, Illinois. He will replace current LLCC President Charlotte Warren, who announced in August that she would be retiring at the end of June. She has been LLCC’s president since 2006. […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Jan. 19 to Jan. 25
Kent Plaza Associates LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2787 S. Sixth St. Contractor is V&O Services and the project is valued at $4,165,908. Freedom Building LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2815 Old Jacksonville Road. Contractor is Ernest Moody and the project is valued at $5,000. RR Family LLC c/o Raymond E. […]
Posted inColumns
Little Mexico slated for little building
The owner of the Little Mexico restaurants in Jacksonville and surrounding communities is making plans to add a new location in Springfield. Hector Alvarado and his wife, Neri Hernandez, have purchased the former Paris Cleaners location at 910 South Grand Ave., which they hope to turn into their fourth Little Mexico restaurant. Alvarado is seeking […]
Posted inComings & Goings
New hotel opens in Legacy Pointe
The Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Springfield has opened in Legacy Pointe, the first hotel constructed since the groundbreaking of the SCHEELS Sports Park. The new 91-room hotel, located at 3951 S. MacArthur Blvd., is just south of and adjacent to the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, which opened in 2019. Both properties were developed […]
Posted inComings & Goings
New restaurant at White Oaks Mall
Levante Grill and Cafe, a new Mediterranean restaurant in White Oaks Mall, is prepping for its official opening on Feb. 1. The restaurant’s menu includes Mediterranean favorites such as chicken and beef shawarma, gyros, burgers, chicken wings, falafel and hummus. Owner Hisham Sweidan said all menu items are made fresh in the store with Levante’s […]
Posted inColumns
Hiring for empathy
Empathy often gets a bad rap as a soft skill in business. But if your goal is to provide excellent customer service, empathy isn’t just nice to have, it’s a differentiator. Whether a customer is calling about a billing issue, returning a product in your store, asking for help planning an event or navigating your […]
Posted inColumns
Vondra Social House
Vondra Social House, just south of Lincoln Home Historic Site on Edwards Street, inhabits a quaint and historic two-story brick structure. The building was brought back from the brink of ruin in 2007 and operated as a restaurant under various owners until closing at the end of 2024. With a front porch that spans the […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
The Foundation Academy
While some jobs may be replaced by machinery or artificial intelligence, jobs that require people to collaborate and use soft skills are irreplaceable. Soft skills are those personal attributes and interpersonal skills that shape how people work together. Communication, teamwork, adaptability and emotional intelligence are examples and transfer across roles and industries. These skills set […]
Posted inAsk an Attorney
New laws for 2026
It’s that time of year again when we explore what our legislature has been up to this past year. In a case of the state actually trying to be helpful, cocktails to go (first introduced during COVID-19 restrictions) are now permanent, which should be a boon to the restaurant industry. The state created a new […]
Posted inColumns
Q&A with Sara Vanhala
Sara Vanhala has worked for Growth Corp for nearly 20 years and assumed the role of president Jan. 1, succeeding Doug Kinley after his 35-year tenure. She currently chairs the board of the National Association of Development Companies and leads Growth Corp’s annual delegation to Washington, D.C., to collaborate with policymakers and SBA officials. Vanhala […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Scoop Du Jour expands
Scoop Du Jour, the popular ice cream, donut and coffee shop in Chatham, has brewed up a new plan to attract business beyond the morning hours. Scoop has expanded its offerings by building out a bar space that now serves alcoholic coffee and ice cream treats. Scoop is branding the recently opened bar addition as […]