If all goes according to plan, the Baskin-Robbins on MacArthur Boulevard will reopen a year after a vehicular accident that caused extensive damage to the building and forced the business to close. Melinda “Mindi” Gutmann, who owns both the Baskin-Robbins stores in Springfield, credited “divine intervention,” noting that there were several factors working against reopening […]
Columns
Posted inPeople on the Move
Samuel Moore joins Community Foundation
Samuel Moore has joined the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln as an accounting and finance associate. In this role, Moore will support the Community Foundation’s financial operations and data management efforts, including accounting and recordkeeping functions that help ensure the organization’s fiscal integrity and effectiveness. “I am excited to begin my journey at […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Vistrit Choudhary joins Illinois Behavioral Workforce Center
Vistrit Choudhary has been named the director of reporting and analytics at the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center. In this role, he will be leading the agency’s data collection and analysis efforts, which will be used to inform the state’s investment into building a robust behavioral health workforce. Choudhary previously spent four years as a […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Dec. 29 to Jan. 4
629 East LLC received a commercial structure remodel permit for 631 E. Adams St. Contractor is Jason McKemie and the project is valued at $150,000. Bridge Real Estate LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3161 West White Oaks Drive. Contractor is PH Broughton & Sons and the project is valued at $130,000. Hjem Homes […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Tropical Smoothie Cafe opens
It’s a long way from the beach, but Springfield now has a Tropical Smoothie Café. The capital city location opened Dec. 27 at 2937 W. Iles Ave., backfilling the former Luca Pizza space in White Oaks Plaza. Luca Pizza was open sporadically during the first half of January 2025 before closing permanently later that […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Hall’s Harley-Davidson sold
After more than six decades in the same family, Hall’s Harley-Davidson has been sold to another central Illinois family. The location at 2301 N. Dirksen Parkway will be rebranded as Simpson’s Harley-Davidson. New owners Rhett, Trent and Linn Simpson also own Andrae’s Harley-Davidson in Urbana. “I’m still physically in the building doing things and helping […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
New leadership for Growth Corp
Growth Corp, an SBA 504 lender for small and mid-sized businesses, has announced a leadership transition effective Jan. 1. After 35 years as president, Doug Kinley will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Sara Vanhala has been appointed president. Vanhala is a nearly 20-year veteran of the organization and current chair of the […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Food vendors announced for entertainment complex
Construction on Legends Entertainment in Legacy Pointe is underway, and the five local vendors for the food court have been finalized. In June, SBJ broke the news about the planned entertainment complex, which will include an indoor/outdoor food court, a 12-lane bowling alley and an 8,000-square-foot arcade with around 100 games for kids, plus adult […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Dec. 15 to Dec. 28
Legacy Park Sports LLC received a commercial accessory structure permit for 3751 Imagineer Drive. Contractor is Tardis Structures, LLC and the project is valued at $30,000. Legacy Park Sports LLC received a commercial accessory structure permit for 3751 Imagineer Drive. Contractor is Tardis Structures, LLC and the project is valued at $8,333.33. Legacy Park Sports […]
Posted inMedical News
Pritzker signs ‘medical aid in dying’ bill amid religious opposition
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law Dec. 12 that will allow terminally ill adults in Illinois to take life-ending medication prescribed by physicians. The controversial bill overcame strong opposition from religious groups and some disability rights advocates who feared it could endanger Illinoisians with disabilities. Critics call the practice “assisted suicide,” while those who support the law […]
Posted inRestaurant review
Gabatoni’s Italian Restaurant
I’ve been going to Gabatoni’s since I arrived in Springfield in 1999 and maybe even in 1992 while I was here for a judicial clerkship. I was saddened when the pandemic led the prior owners to shift to takeout only, which lasted even after the COVID-19 restrictions eased. But, with new ownership and a re-do […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Mylas Copeland on the importance of giving back
University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Janet Gooch and vice chancellor for student affairs Jamarco Clark put their heads together to create the UIS Chancellor’s Thinkers Series. Clark said this initiative “grew out of conversations between the chancellor and me about creating opportunities for people to engage constructively, even when perspectives differ. Too often, society struggles […]