By Thomas C. Pavlik What with many former downtown businesses relocating elsewhere, downtown dining options have diminished as well. As a result, I’m generally on the lookout for anything new that pops up. I must have been asleep at the switch, however, as I completely missed that Replay Lounge is more than just a bar […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
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Kara Rapacz leaving Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Kara Rapacz, the principal at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, announced her resignation April 28. Rapacz has been with SHG for 16 years. She was the assistant principal and director of academic support services before being hired as SHG’s first lay principal in July 2017. Rapacz was recognized as one of Springfield Business Journal’s Forty Under […]
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La Bamba closes, African restaurant to take its place
Diners will no longer be able to get a burrito as big as their head, but a new restaurant is already in the works for the former La Bamba space. The Mexican restaurant at 1731 S. MacArthur Blvd. closed over Easter weekend, due to what owner Ramiro Aguas referred to as staffing issues with that […]
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Building permits April 10-April 16
ARG SPSPRIL001 LLC has obtained a commercial remodel permit for an interior build out at 3231 Veterans Parkway. The contractor is Doyle Construction Co. and the project is valued at $450,000. ILCARRICOSIX LLC has obtained a commercial remodel permit for an interior build out at 2427 Stevenson Dr., Suite D. The contractor is Schuster Construction […]
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UIS purchases downtown building that will serve as new home of the UIS Innovation Center
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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Legacy Pointe Eatery
By Thomas Pavlik Legacy Pointe Eatery, 1130 W. Legacy Pointe Drive is the newest restaurant at Legacy Pointe in the space formerly occupied by Fox Run. It holds itself out as a “moderate – to medium-priced, casual-dining establishment” with a “high-quality full menu” that’s “centered around fresh and homemade items with a focus toward healthier […]
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Retirement strategies for Gen Z and millennials
By Pamela Savage Anne Lester is a retirement expert, media commentator and speaker who brings years of experience working in the retirement space to young professionals. Most recently, she spent 29 years as head of retirement solutions for JPMorgan Asset Management’s Solution group. Today, Lester spends her time writing for and speaking to millennial and […]
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Q&A with Jan Schramm
By David Blanchette Jan Schramm is the senior vice president for trust management services at Hickory Point Bank & Trust, the same company where she began her banking career after graduating from Bradley University with a degree in business administration and management. In September, Schramm received the 2022 President’s Award from the Illinois Bankers […]
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Advance care planning: A hard conversation worth starting
By Brian McCurdy Research shows that only one out of every three Americans has an advance directive in place, documenting their end-of-life and health care wishes. Though death is a topic many of us would rather not consider, it is a reality we all face. Choosing to empower ourselves at the end of life may […]
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Brian Hoffman becomes director of industry partnerships for Strategic Resource Management
Brian Hoffman is the new director of industry partnerships for Strategic Resource Management, as of Oct. 3. He spent 12 years with the Illinois Bankers Association in a variety of positions, most recently as president of Illinois Bankers Business Services. Prior to that, Hoffman worked for Security Bank in Springfield for nearly 10 years. Strategic […]
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Dolphin Chicken, Fish and Grill
By Thomas Pavlik I’ve been seeing lots of chatter on social media about Dolphin Chicken, Fish and Grill, and hearing some of my friends make favorable comments about it. So, I figured it was time to give Dolphin a shot. First thing to know is that Dolphin is drive-thru and take-out only. Second thing is […]