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 […]
Comings & Goings
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Pop in Seoul Asian Market to open
A local couple is bringing a Korean convenience store concept to Springfield. Jung and Julie Kim have signed a lease for space at 2637 Chatham Road to open Pop In Seoul Asian Market in the shopping center that also houses Café Moxo and Papa Murphy’s. “An Asian convenience store is a little different than an […]
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Long Nine Junction to return downtown
A restaurant is returning to downtown Springfield with the same name and location, but a slightly different format. Corey and Emily Faucon operated Long Nine Junction for nearly four years at 5 Old State Capitol Plaza before closing in February 2021. The couple then moved to Petersburg and have been involved in several culinary ventures […]
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Land of Lincoln Credit Union to acquire local bank
Land of Lincoln Credit Union has announced plans to acquire Williamsville State Bank and Trust. While the agreement is contingent on obtaining regulatory and WSB Financial, Ltd. stockholder approvals, the proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of […]
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The Railyard, an outdoor food venue, opening soon
The Railyard, an outdoor food venue based around shipping containers, is expected to open within 30 days. The property is just north of the newly constructed overpass on South Sixth Street, part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Projects. Initially announced in 2021, there have been some adjustments to the original plans. “We were planning on […]
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Building permits – Sept. 4– Sept. 10
Jawad Qattum received a commercial remodel permit for 806 Black Ave. Contractor is Brian Concrete and the project is valued at $14,800. Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust received a commercial permit for 3401 Freedom Drive. Contractor is Truman Contracting, LLC and the project is valued at $1,377,084. JJR Properties LLC received a commercial remodel permit […]
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Fluorescent Reefs opens on West Jefferson
A unique retail business has recently transitioned from online-only to a brick-and-mortar location. Fluorescent Reefs opened Aug. 14 at 615 W. Jefferson St., Suite B. “The store is brand-new,” said Dustin Shreves, who co-owns the business with his wife, Jen Shreves. “We were online for about three-and-a-half years; we sold coral on Instagram and also […]
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Building permits – Aug. 28 – Sept. 3
Julian Ventures LLL received a commercial accessory structure permit for 2801 Farmers Market Road. Contractor is Blunier Builders and the project is valued at $140,000. Sangamon County received a commercial remodel permit for 1 Copley Plaza. Contractor is R.D. Lawrence Construction Co. Ltd. and the project is valued at $5.1 million. Koch Springfield LLC received […]