National cupcake and ice cream franchise Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery has announced plans to open a Springfield location. Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery was founded in 2008 in Overland Park, Kansas, by Jeff Martin, and has since expanded to include more than 160 stores worldwide. The company is known for their 18 signature cupcake flavors, which […]
Comings & Goings
Casa Real shutters North Grand location to open new restaurant
On Monday, Sept. 25, Jose Lopez, Jr., owner of Casa Real, announced plans to close the doors to Casa Real’s flagship north side restaurant, located on North Grand Avenue. The last day of business for the North Grand Avenue location was Saturday, Sept. 30. Although the restaurant, which has served the north side of Springfield […]
New catering venture from Sean Keeley and Shannon Mathis
Chef Sean Keeley and Shannon Mathis have teamed up to bring a new catering venture, Artisan & Company, to the Springfield area this fall. Artisan & Company will offer private and executive catering services featuring custom menus for private dinner parties, executive and corporate dinners, charity fundraisers, political functions, and in-home cooking demonstrations. Cuisine will […]
New location for Fresh Visions Community Church
The Fresh Visions Community Church congregation is scheduled to move into their new building at 1551 J. David Jones Parkway on Thursday, Sept. 21. The church is currently located at 2400 N. Grand Ave. E. O’Shea Builders of Springfield is the contractor for the new facility. To celebrate the new building, the community is invited […]
Building permit roundup – Sept 6
217 Mostly LLC has obtained a permit to complete an interior renovation of the building located at 406 E. Adams St., the future home of Buzz Bomb Brewery, a craft beer bar founded by Josh Flanders and Bill Larson. The project is valued at $75,000, and will be completed by Speeks Electric of Springfield. Lincoln […]
Building permit roundup – Sept. 20
Maulding Dev Corp LLC has obtained a permit to install an illuminated store sign for Tacos Pepe, a new restaurant coming to the former Smashburger location at 2661 Chatham Road. The contractor is Ace Sign Company, and the project is valued at $12,500. SNK2 Properties LLC has obtained permits for a solar array installation […]
Four new stores coming to White Oaks Mall
Four new stores are coming to Springfield’s White Oaks Mall, just in time for the fall and holiday seasons. The new offerings are a mix of local and national retailers, which means that more than 40 out of White Oaks Mall’s 110 specialty stores and dining options are local brands. Seasonal Fair is a fair-trade […]
Fuzziwigs Candy Factory coming to Scheels
Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory, a retail candy and specialty toy franchiser, has entered into a master franchise agreement with Scheels All Sports, Inc., who have positioned themselves as the world’s largest retailer of sports, fashion and footwear. The agreement states that Fuzziwig’s will open three stores during the next year and a half, with the first […]
Building permit roundup – Trinity Lutheran Church, Ferguson Building, Binny’s
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church obtained a permit to build an addition onto the church located at 220 S. Second St. Joyner Construction Services is the contractor, and the project is valued at $700,000. Bright New Day Investments, Inc., obtained a permit to renovate the entrance of the Ferguson Building, located at 524 E. Monroe St. […]
Brewing supply store opens in Springfield
By Patrick Yeagle Springfield beer and wine brewers have a new option for supplies with the opening of Capitol City Brewing Supply this week. Owned by father-son team Jeremy and Blake Burris, the new shop opened Aug. 30. Blake Burris says his father, Jeremy, got into homebrewing with wine, then expanded into beer. Blake, now […]
Virden bookstore expanding to Springfield
A longtime staple of Virden’s downtown business scene is expanding to Springfield. Books on the Square opened in Virden in 1992 and will soon open its second location at 427 E. Washington St. in downtown Springfield. Co-owners John and Jeannie Alexander of Virden started Books on the Square together. John Alexander says he was a […]
Former Goodwill building to house different nonprofit – Building permit roundup
By Patrick Yeagle The former Goodwill building on North 11th Street in Springfield is slated to become the new headquarters for a different nonprofit. Capitol Reuse Center Inc. purchased the building at 815 N. 11th St. earlier this year for $15,000 and obtained a permit this week from the City of Springfield to remodel the […]

