Vele is opening its new location on the west side of Springfield on Wednesday, Nov. 4 as planned, despite additional mitigation orders from Governor JB Pritzker prohibiting indoor dining. The owners joined a group of nearly two dozen other restaurant owners filing suit in Sangamon County last week seeking relief from the order, which Mayor […]
Comings & Goings
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Sweet Basil Cafe opens in Prairie Crossing
Sweet Basil Café opened on Nov. 1 in the former O’Charley’s building in Prairie Crossing. The location at 4241 Conestoga Dr. in Springfield had been vacant since O’Charley’s closed in March 2019. Despite the fact that additional mitigations took effect on Sunday, ending indoor dining and bar service for Region 3, which includes Springfield, Sweet […]
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Vele and Tacology 201 prepare to open new west side locations
Two restaurants that have operated downtown for the past three years, Vele and Tacology 101, are both preparing to transition to new locations on the west side of Springfield. Sept. 26 was the last day of operations at 524 E. Monroe for Vele, a restaurant with a modern coastal Italian menu and trendy vibe that […]
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Brunchfield Cafe opens in former Nico’s Homestyle space
Chef Howard Seidel retired at the end of last year after more than four decades in the food service industry, most recently with University of Illinois Springfield. Earlier this month, he opened his own restaurant, Brunchfield Café, at 751 S. Durkin Dr. “I’m considering myself still retired; this is the hobby that you’re supposed to […]
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Building permit roundup – Oct. 19-Oct. 25
Eid Kattom obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 100 W. Ash St. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at $27,500. PFA Real Estate, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3201 S Pleasant Run. The contractor is Mabus Building and Home Improvements and the project is valued at $100,000. […]
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Building permit roundup – Oct. 12-Oct. 18
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865 obtained a commercial building permit for 503 S. Walnut St. The contractor is Michael Von Behren Builder, Inc. and the project is valued at $28,000. Kau Sukhjinder and G. and S. Randhawa, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2200 South Grand Ave. East. Troy Boy […]
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Hibachi Madness to open in November
In December, Steve Zhao broke ground on a 9,000-square-foot strip center at 4300 W. Wabash Ave. E.P. Boutique opened in August as the first tenant in the new center at Wabash and Meadowbrook, and Zhao is now adding his own restaurant to the mix. Despite the name, Zhao said that Hibachi Madness will be a […]
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Building permit roundup – Oct. 5-11
Springfield Clinic obtained a commercial remodel permit for demolition of the existing UC Bank at 500 E. Cook St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the project is valued at $330,000. Bust the Burg, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for a build out at 2501 S. Chatham Road. Brad Milliman is the contractor and […]
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City’s Economic Development Commission recommends $1 million in TIF for downtown food hall
On Tuesday, the City of Springfield’s Economic Development Commission reviewed a request for up to $1 million in TIF funds to help redevelop the property at 322 E. Adams into a food hall and rooftop bar, unanimously recommending the city council approve the request. When the project was first announced in July, managing partner David […]
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Carpe Diem CrossFit breaks ground on west side of Springfield
Local business owners Matt and Megan Saxsma, along with Karl and Shawn Backs, are planning to open Carpe Diem CrossFit. The project broke ground last week and a 10,000-square-foot facility is under construction at 4600 Alex Blvd. in Springfield. “This is something that has been in the works since last November,” said Matt Saxsma, who […]
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Supply chain issues delay opening of Ashley Furniture Outlet
Barney’s Furniture reopened on June 1 when the stay-at-home orders ended, but only long enough to have a going-out-of-business sale. However, owner Barry Seidman said the pandemic was not to blame, and plans were already in the works to convert the location to an Ashley Furniture Outlet. The Seidman family already owns the Ashley HomeStore […]
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MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express is set to reopen
MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express, 716 E. Enos Ave., is reopening this weekend after being closed for renovations since July due to a fire. An overnight fire on July 17 at the property directly behind MJ’s significantly damaged the roof and back wall of the building. Jerome Taylor, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, […]