Comings & Goings

Conn’s Hospitality Group announced on Monday that it is closing Wm. Van’s Café as the company seeks to consolidate to stabilize its overall operations. “We’ve been analyzing the numbers and really just taking a look at the reality of today’s economy,” said Karen Conn, CEO of Conn’s Hospitality Group.  “The decision Monday morning was we’ve […]

The location of the former Loukinens’ on 4th restaurant is set to go on the auction block at a foreclosure sale. The property at 517 S. Fourth St., across the street from the Executive Mansion, entered into foreclosure on Feb. 25, according to a public notice. The judgment amount is listed as $182,828. According to […]

It appears the sun has set for Golden Hour Bake House, just over a year after the business opened a brick-and-mortar location. Customers of the downtown bakery and café discovered the doors locked on Saturday, Feb. 28, with no signage posted to explain the closure during regular business hours. While the business closed for a […]

Aumann Auctions and Cory Craig Auctioneer have announced a merger of the two Midwest auction companies. Founded in 1965, Cory Craig Auctioneer is a second-generation, full-service auction company serving clients throughout Illinois and surrounding states. Aumann Auctions has conducted auctions locally as well as across the U.S. and Europe since 1962. “Cory Craig has built […]

One of only five buildings on the Old State Capitol Plaza that remains from Lincoln’s time may soon be getting a new owner and a makeover. The building at 518 E. Adams St. has been vacant since the last tenant, Di Piero’s Sicilan Cucina, closed at the end of 2024. Owner Pete Praia opened the […]

If he had his druthers, Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams Jr. would rather see something besides a proposed new recreational cannabis dispensary going into 1401 S. Dirksen Parkway, a currently abandoned property in his ward. “But I don’t like empty buildings or empty houses,” Williams said. So, albeit with some reluctance, Williams said he would […]

The Francesca’s store in White Oaks Mall will be closing later this month after the women’s fashion retail chain filed for bankruptcy.  Francesca’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey earlier this month and plans to close all its stores nationwide. An employee at the White Oaks location confirmed that Feb. 25 would be […]

Bob’s Discount Furniture held a grand opening Feb. 13 for its Springfield location in Southwest Plaza, one of three central Illinois stores to open this month.  In August, the national retailer began renovation work at 3251 S. Veterans Parkway. The former Bed Bath & Beyond space had been vacant since early 2023, when it was […]

The parent company of restaurant chain Smokey Bones has filed for bankruptcy restructuring. Fat Brands Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late January. In addition to Smokey Bones, Fat Brands operates restaurant chains such as Fazoli’s, Johnny Rockets, Ponderosa Steakhouse, and Fatburger. Fat Brands is majority owner of the subsidiary Twin Hospitality Group, which […]

The MCL Restaurant and Bakery on Wabash Avenue has closed. A sign on the door of the restaurant, located at 2151 Wabash Ave., stated that the restaurant would be permanently closed as of Feb. 13. “Thank you all for the support over the years,” the sign reads. A recording on the restaurants call-in menu line […]

Sherman restaurant Fire and Ale has announced it will be closing this weekend after 14 years of business. Zac Copelin, who owns the restaurant along with business partner Justin Misiorek, said that, like many independent restaurants, Fire and Ale has faced significant financial challenges that ultimately made it impossible for the restaurant to continue operations. […]