Liquor retailer Binny’s Beverage Depot is opening a store in Springfield soon, but first it must obtain a variance from a Springfield zoning rule which prevents package liquor stores from locating in certain areas. The store would be located at 2490 Wabash Ave., in the 20,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Staples office supply store. It’s […]
Comings & Goings
West Iles Business Center gets green light – Building permit roundup
WIBC, Inc. of Springfield is building a new retail center at 3240 W. Iles Ave. To be located west of Illini Bank on West Iles, the facility will be called the West Iles Business Center. A permit for the project was granted by the City of Springfield Building and Zoning division on June 2. Ben […]
La Fiesta to reopen in June
La Fiesta Mexican restaurant, 2830 Adlai Stevenson Dr., may reopen in June with a new owner and a new look. Omar Hernandez, who also owns Omar’s Latin Fusion Cuisine, purchased La Fiesta and temporarily closed it earlier this year. While the restaurant was closed, Hernandez renovated the building and revamped the menu to include more fresh […]
HSHS to open clinic in Sherman
HSHS Medical Group is opening a new primary care clinic in Sherman. Melinda Clark, CEO of HSHS Medical Group, says the clinic will employ one physician and three other employees. Located at 2806 E. Andrews Road, the clinic will offer same-day appointments, laboratory work, chronic illness management and more. Clark says it’s a priority for […]
Honei Chayil moves to Fourth St. downtown
Honei Chayil Salon has moved to 305 S. Fourth St. in Springfield’s downtown. Owner Heidi Dillon opened the shop two years ago at 312 E. Monroe St. and moved this month to take advantage of higher traffic and visibility. The space previously held genHkids. Dillon, who hails from Chicago’s south side, says she’s used to […]
Los Agaves closes after nearly 14 years
Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant, 2466 Wabash Ave., closed last week after nearly 14 years. General manager Oscar Alvarado announced the closure on the restaurant’s Facebook page on May 27. Alvarado couldn’t be reached for further comment, but in the announcement of the closure, he noted the difficulty of keeping a restaurant open and thanked customers. […]
Panda Express planned for North Dirksen – Building permit roundup
A new Panda Express Chinese Kitchen is planned for North Dirksen Parkway, according to a building permit issued by the City of Springfield on May 5. The restaurant will be new construction, following the demolition of the closed Royal Buffet at 2730 N. Dirksen Parkway. The contractors on the project are Prather Plumbing and Heating […]
Trane to establish offices in central Illinois
HVAC system manufacturer Trane is establishing offices in Springfield and other central Illinois cities. Mike Rolfes, Trane’s district leader for Springfield, says the move represents a change from independent agents to company-owned offices and parts centers. Trane, one of a handful of brands owned by parent company Ingersoll Rand, has long offered service in Springfield […]
Bachrach closing store at White Oaks Mall after filing for bankruptcy.
Men’s clothing retailer Bachrach is closing its location at White Oaks Mall in Springfield. The closure comes as the company seeks bankruptcy restructuring. Bradley Lipman, director of planning and allocation at Bachrach, says the Springfield location employs five to 10 people and will likely be closed in about three months. Lipman said about 13 Bachrach […]
Affordable Shred expanding to records storage
Affordable Shred specializes in destroying documents. However, it will soon be able to securely store documents, as well. Based in Buffalo, Affordable Shred is expanding its services and its footprint by reusing the former Victory Hall Bingo building at 750 N. 19th St. as a secure records storage location. The company, which operates mobile shredding […]
Elston moving State Farm office after 28 years
Jeff Elston. Photo courtesy of State Farm. Jeff Elston started his career selling insurance with State Farm 28 years ago, and his office has been located at 1405 Stevenson Dr. ever since. Now, Elston is moving. His office’s new location will be the former Kloever & Son Jewelry building at 2657 S. Fifth St. Easton […]
Fire and Ale sold to new owners
A popular restaurant in Sherman has been sold to new owners. Paul Evans opened Fire and Ale in 2012 at 135 Illini Blvd. in Sherman. For Evans, it was a longtime goal to start a restaurant from the ground up. “I started bartending after college,” he said, “so the bar and restaurant business was always […]

