Security Bank has appointed Randall Forbes as vice president and controller. Forbes, a certified public accountant, joined the bank in June and brings 17 years of public accounting experience to the role. In his current position, he oversees accounting operations, financial reporting and financial management functions that support the bank’s continued growth and long-term financial […]
Columns
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – June 29 to July 5
2631 N. Dirksen Parkway LLC received a commercial permit (new construction Seven Brew Coffee) for 2631 N. Dirksen Parkway. Contractor is Paradigm Construction and the project is valued at $675,000. Grant Holdings III LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2401 Prairie Crossing Drive. Contractor is Peerless Cleaning & Restoration and the project is valued […]
Posted inColumns
The Fountain on 66 closes
After just a year in business, The Fountain on 66 diner has closed. Owner Tom Hart announced the restaurant’s closing in a Facebook post. “After many sleepless nights and restless days I have made the tough decision to close the Fountain on 66,” Hart said in the post on Monday. Hart opened The Fountain, located […]
Posted inColumns
Second Chick-fil-A for Springfield
It appears that Chick-fil-A will soon be opening a second location in the capital city. Earlier this year, AAM Springfield, LLC filed a zoning petition to reclassify the property at 3200 Northfield Dr. At the time, it was operating as a Burger King restaurant. The zoning petition was filed on behalf of the contract purchaser […]
Posted inColumns
First Watch coming to Springfield
Breakfast restaurant chain First Watch is coming to the Springfield market. The restaurant will be opening in the former Red Robin location at 2881 S. Veterans Parkway in White Oaks Plaza. Red Robin shuttered its only Springfield location in August as part of a push to close 70 underperforming stores. Quattro Development, an Oak Brook-based […]
Posted inColumns
New president for LLCC
Lincoln Land Community College officially welcomed Dr. Curt Oldfield as its seventh president July 1. Oldfield previously served as president of Spoon River College for 14 years where he championed student success, community engagement and economic development. Dr. Charlotte Warren officially retired on June 30 after serving 20 years as the president of LLCC. Oldfield […]
Posted inColumns
Second Springfield location for 7 Brew
7 Brew Coffee opened its first Springfield location at the end of May, and a second store is already about to break ground. A building permit was filed July 2 with the city of Springfield for new construction of a 7 Brew Coffee at 2631 N. Dirksen Parkway. The general contractor is Paradigm Construction. The […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – June 22 to June 28
ETPE LLC % David P. Barkus received a commercial remodel permit for 2912 Stanton St. Contractor is All American Handyman & More Inc. and the project is valued at $150,000. Reel USA received a demolition permit for 3501 W. Mayflower Blvd. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $88,000. Rehan Properties LLC […]
Posted inQ & A
Q&A with Steve Zhao
Developer and restaurateur Steve Zhao has lived in Springfield for more than two decades and during that time has been involved in projects across the city and beyond. He’s developed multiple retail strip centers, often anchored by a restaurant in which he is involved. In addition to projects in Springfield, he’s also built shopping centers […]
Posted inRestaurant review
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant opened recently in the former Taqueria Moroleon space near the Wabash Avenue curve. It’s a family-run operation with great service and, even for a Mexican restaurant, a huge menu that will satisfy everyone. It doesn’t look like Puerto Vallarta did much to the space. It’s still festooned with tons of color […]
Posted inProfessional Development
Nonprofit work can teach what your job can’t
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside […]
Posted inAsk an Attorney
The legal risks of AI
As AI becomes more prevalent in our lives, it’s important to stay educated on how our legal system is addressing novel topics related to its increasing use. Many of the issues discussed in this article are not even on the radars of business owners – but they should be. One of the more interesting recent […]