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 […]
Columns
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Arrowroot Coffee opening downtown Jan. 31
While drive-thru coffee kiosks have proliferated around town over the seven years Arrowroot Coffee Co. has been in business, owner Jacob Dinardo said his focus is on building community rather than a grab-and-go culture. Along those lines, he has spent more than a year extensively renovating the former Recycled Records building at 625 E. Adams […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Arlington’s offering lunch and cocktails
The Arlington’s downtown event venue is now open for lunch and evening cocktails in what owner Brian Reilly is calling a “Session Pop Up.” Arlington’s, located at 210 Broadway, is now serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a cocktail menu from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lunch […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Shabby Shack relocates, expands
After more than a decade in business, Roxy and Greg Herr have purchased their own building to allow them to continue to expand the Shabby Shack boutique. The Shabby Shack opened last week in its new, larger location at 1533 Wabash Ave. The boutique, which sells everything from hand-painted furniture to artist-designed clothing and accessories, […]