The University of Illinois Springfield has officially purchased the downtown building that will serve as the new home of the UIS Innovation Center. The three-story, 24,600-square-foot building is located near the Illinois State Capitol at 401 E. Washington St. Scheduled to open in 2025, the UIS Innovation Center will serve central Illinois as part of […]
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Beef ‘O’Brady’s closes Springfield location, citing staffing shortages
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Springfield has closed its doors, less than a year after opening at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Veterans Parkway. Joe Rupnik, the area franchisee for the family-style sports pub, opened Beef ‘O’Brady’s Jan. 24, making it the second Illinois location for the Florida-based franchise. The company operates 142 locations in […]
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Doug Antonacci joins city of Springfield’s office of Planning and Economic Development
Doug Antonacci has joined the city of Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development as an economic development officer. Antonacci said he will be working closely with Ravi Doshi, who serves as the city’s TIF administrator. “Ravi will be heading up the business side of things, so I’ll be assisting him, and I will also […]
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Marine Bank being acquired by Morton Community Bank
Marine Bank, headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, will merge into Morton Community Bank in the second quarter of 2023, adding 11 locations to the footprint of Morton Community Bank and bringing the total assets of the employee-owned community bank to about $5.75 billion. The transaction will also involve the acquisition of Marine Bancorp, Inc., the holding […]
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Darin Gehrke joins SomerCor
Darin Gehrke has joined SomerCor as senior vice president and market lead for central and southern Illinois. Based in Springfield, Gehrke will lead strategy planning and business development to expand SomerCor’s SBA 504 lending and other economic development services in Central and Southern Illinois. SomerCor is a nonprofit Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed by the […]
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Magnolia Lane Home Décor and More to relocate to Wabash Avenue
After nearly a decade of operating from the same location, Magnolia Lane Home Décor and More is preparing to relocate. Marci Ridle purchased the business, originally known as 6th Street Home Décor and More, in April 2013 and moved into the current location at 3600 S. Sixth St. in July of that year. The business […]
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B’s Creative Studio moves to new, larger location
Brandy Fletcher opened B’s Creative Studio in March of this year and has already moved to a larger location. She initially opened at 2915 S. MacArthur Blvd. in a space next to Penny Lane. “We do a lot of classes for kids and adults, and we quickly outgrew that space,” Fletcher said. “Plus, we had […]
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Illinois Product Holiday Market returns Dec. 2-4
The Illinois Department of Agriculture will bring the Illinois Product Holiday Market back to Downtown Springfield this year. The market takes place Dec. 2-4 on Jackson Street along the Y Block north of the Governor’s Mansion. The holiday market will feature a variety of Illinois products. “We are excited to partner with Downtown Springfield’s Holiday […]
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Brian Lauer retiring, closing AB Lauer Jewelers
After more than 40 years in the jewelry industry, Brian Lauer, owner of AB Lauer Jewelers, is retiring and closing the business at 1927 W. Iles Ave. in Springfield. AB Lauer Jewelers has operated since 2009, but the history of the family business dates back to 1910 when Stout’s Jewelers began. Brian’s father, Art Lauer, […]
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Natalie and Nate Grider are the new owners of Appearances Salon & Retreat
Natalie and Nate Grider are officially the new owners of Appearances Salon & Retreat in Springfield after a two-year transition of ownership period from Bernie Koch Jr. Appearances Salon and Retreat is a locally owned and operated business with a 90-year history in Springfield. Bernie Koch Sr. opened a barbershop in 1932. His son, Bernie […]
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Wildly Rooted Boutique opening downtown
Three small business owners and artisans have teamed up to open Wildly Rooted Boutique in downtown Springfield. The store will hold a grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 26. Callie Estes, owner of Jo Jo’s Jewelry; Jessica Lynn, owner of Green Haven Co. and One Knotty Maker in Jacksonville; and Courtney Wright, owner of Cloth + […]
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Ad Astra Wine Bar & Market opens downtown
After more than a year of renovation and restoration in the space at 308 E. Adams St., Ad Astra Wine Bar & Market is holding a grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 26. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. and the business will be open until 10 p.m. that day. A Sip ‘n […]