Comings & Goings

After more than two decades training business executives across the region, Bob Barber has sold his local Sandler Training office to an Indiana-based associate. Wilcox and Associates of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has acquired the Barber and Associates Sandler franchise. Sandler Training is a global provider of sales leadership and customer service training. The deal officially […]

Springfield’s only Red Lobster restaurant will soon be closing. An employee confirmed to Springfield Business Journal that the restaurant at 2696 S. Dirksen Parkway would be shutting down. The employee said Sunday was scheduled to be the Red Lobster’s last day in business but that it could potentially close even sooner. The Springfield restaurant is […]

Amanda Hildebrand is bringing a direct primary care model to the Ocean BreezeWellness and Primary Care center she recently opened on Wabash Avenue. Under direct primary care (DPC) models, patients pay a membership feel that covers allor most primary care services. Ocean Breeze provides membership-based primarycare, and while the center does accept some insurance plans, […]

New owners will soon be taking the driver’s seat at dealerships operated by Green Family Stores, one of the region’s largest auto dealers. A spokesperson for Green Family Stores confirmed a sale was in the works but would not name the buyer. “Out of respect for employees and all parties involved, we cannot discuss this […]

Nik Smith, owner of local catering company AF Food Co., is preparing for the launch of his next dining concept — Side Chick Salad Co., and, as the name implies, it’s all about chicken salad. Smith used the 217 Foodies Facebook group for market research when he was considering launching a new business endeavor, and […]

New owners have given the former Cravens Laundromat a new name and a fresh, clean look. Ryan and Danielle Watson purchased the property at 513 N. Grand Ave. in December and, after fully renovating the building, have rebranded and reopened as Fresh Cycle Laundromat. “Basically, we went in and redid the entire building, inside and […]

Local anesthesiologist Dr. Qing Yang has opened the Eocene Medical Spa on West Monroe Avenue, with a goal of providing holistic care. Eocene offers skin rejuvenation services — such as laser resurfacing, microneedling, chemical peels and medical facials — as well as wellness offerings such as medically directed weight loss and IV hydration and nutrition […]

Dent Coulson, a southern Illinois-based elder care law firm, has opened a Springfield office. Steven Milburn, a Springfield native who joined Dent Coulson in January, is heading up the new office. Dent Coulson’s work is mainly focused on estate planning and elder law, handling issues such as power of attorney, wills, trusts, estate tax planning […]

Local restaurateur Jeff Griswold has opened a new dining establishment in the former Roots Latin Grill space on Wabash. Levity Bar and Grill officially opened Aug. 1, serving hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood as well as “a lot of wine and martinis,” Griswold said. “It’s higher-end food in a casual atmosphere,” he said. Griswold previously […]

Springfield’s only LA Fitness location is closing, with local gym FitClub acquiring the location’s membership base and equipment. Friday, July 31, is the last day of business for the LA Fitness located at the White Oaks Mall at 2501 Wabash Ave., according to an employee at the location. Local LA Fitness memberships will transfer to […]

After two years downtown, Aunt Lou’s Soul Food restaurant is moving west to the Town & Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Blvd. Saturday will be the restaurant’s last day serving customers at its 524 E. Monroe St. location. Aunt Lou’s hopes to be up and running at its new location at 2413 S. MacArthur Blvd., […]

Local flooring company Arizona Tile Co. has a new owner as its founders, Cary and Sheryl Daugherty, head toward retirement. Zach Mast, who has worked in the local flooring industry for 13 years, purchased the company in a deal that closed on Wednesday. Mast said he saw the Daugherty’s listing seeking a new owner for […]