A new restaurant that is unique both because of its cuisine and its name is preparing to open in the former Dew Chilli Parlor space on Wabash Avenue. Owner Ersen Yildirin said his wife, Tuba Yildirin, came up with the name Ugly Restaurant & Bar for their Turkish grill at 2312 W. Wabash Ave. “My […]
Comings & Goings
Posted inColumns
Building permits March 27-April 2
STEVE ZHAO received a commercial remodel permit for 1754 Wabash Ave., Suite B for an interior remodel. Contractor is Steve Zhao and the project is valued at $100,000. ADAM KOHLRUS received a commercial fence permit for 2805 W. White Oaks Dr. Contractor is Amco Fence and the project is valued at $5,000.
Posted inColumns
Fact or fiction: Is Bob Evans on Stevenson Drive permanently closed?
Since March 25, posts on various social media sites have questioned why the Bob Evans at 3050 Stevenson Dr. is closed. Initially, a sign posted on the door indicated it was a temporary closure for maintenance and repairs. While there was speculation the closure may have been the result of an inspection the week prior […]
Posted inColumns
Maribis holds ribbon cutting for new location on Denver Drive
Maribis of Springfield held a ribbon cutting on Friday, March 31, for its new location at 2451 Denver Drive, just off North Dirksen Parkway. The freestanding building previously housed an AT&T store. Maribis had been located in nearby Grandview since January 2017. When the store first opened, it was one of two medical-marijuana dispensaries in […]
Posted inColumns
Li’l Willy’s BBQ Smokehouse closing, two new restaurants in the works for Conns
Li’l Willy’s BBQ Smokehouse is closing after two-and-a-half years of operations at the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue, but Conn’s Hospitality Group already has two other restaurant ventures in the works. Friday, March 31, will be the last day of operations for Li’l Willy’s. The building at 916 South Grand Avenue West […]
Posted inColumns
Building permits March 20-March 26
SOLON LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3410 Hedley Road for a build-out for USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services Inc. and the project is valued at $50,000. JOYNER REAL ESTATE received a commercial remodel permit for 2312 Wabash Ave. The contractor is Ersen Yildirin and the project […]
Posted inColumns
Madison Furniture closing with the retirement of owner Court Dickason
After 91 years in business, Madison Furniture Company is closing with the retirement of owner Court Dickason. His grandparents, Charles and Ruth Madison, founded the businesses at 1104 South Grand Ave. East in 1932. Dickason’s mother, Janet Dickason, became the manager in 1967 and ran the business until he returned from the service, although Court […]
Posted inColumns
Building permits – March 13-March 19
Building permits – March 13-March 19 Lorenco % BJ Salons INC received a commercial remodel permit for 3055 Professional Drive. Contractor is Michael Concrete Inc. and the project is valued at $89,000. 1 Stop Holdings LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 2800 W. Washington St. Contractor is Tom Holinshead and the project is valued […]
Posted inColumns
The Taco Joint relocating, The Burger Joint to take its place
The Taco Joint will be relocating soon, but the Mexican restaurant isn’t going far. Owner Hector Lopez is in the process of renovating the former Rally’s building at 710 South Grand Ave. East, which has already been repainted with the bright colors of The Taco Joint, located just five blocks west in the parking lot […]
Posted inColumns
Scooter’s Coffee opening second location on Wabash Avenue
Just three months after opening the first Springfield location, Scooter’s Coffee will have a second store at 1740 Wabash Ave., an outlot of the Chatham Square shopping center. Franchise owners Marcus and Lauryn McGlasson are Pleasant Plains residents who opened their first Scooter’s location in Taylorville in 2021, followed by a store at 2935 Clear […]
Posted inColumns
Indoor theme park under construction at White Oaks Mall
Malibu Jack’s, an indoor theme park, is under construction in the west wing at White Oaks Mall. The last long-standing tenant in that space, Bergner’s, closed its doors in August 2018. Bergner’s had been an anchor store at White Oaks Mall since 1978. In December, Indoor Theme Park Builders LLC obtained a commercial remodeling permit […]
Posted inColumns
Late-night coffee shop and dry bar The Wakery will open April 1
The Wakery, a late-night coffee shop and dry bar, will open in downtown Springfield on Saturday, April 1. A ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m. Owner Elizabeth Wake said, “The back bar is completely built, we’re just getting the furniture put in and everything cleaned up and ready to go – we’re down […]