The brick building at the southwest corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue is about to change hands for the first time. The office building at 1028 South Grand Ave. W. was built for Standard Mutual Insurance Company in the late 1950s. Evans Construction served as the general contractor and also oversaw construction of […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
Elizabeth Wake to join NPR Illinois
Elizabeth Wake is joining NPR Illinois as a sponsorship account executive, effective Sept. 16. “This position will be getting underwriting for NPR from businesses,” Wake said. “It takes all of my favorite things and combines it with my business experience.” Wake opened The Wakery in April 2023 as a new concept for downtown, a late […]
New buyer for old Burger King
MJ’s Fish & Chicken Express is on the move again. Jerome and Margaret Taylor started the business in a concession trailer in 2015 but have had a brick-and-mortar location in the Enos Park neighborhood since 2017. They purchased the building at 716 E. Enos Ave. as a turn-key operation from the previous occupant, Susie Q’s […]
Springfield Clinic seeks new west-side location
Springfield Clinic wants to use the former site of Ashley Furniture Outlet and Barney’s Furniture on Springfield’s west side for storage and eventually for retail sales of medical equipment and devices. The multispecialty physician group’s request for zoning to allow for those plans at 1987 Wabash Ave. will be considered Sept. 17 by the Springfield […]
Bourbon Street adds food service
Bourbon Street Rhythm & Ribs, 1031 South Grand Ave. East, has reopened its kitchen and is now offering food service Thursday through Sunday. “It’s been at least six years since we had food service, and I’ve been trying for some time to bring it back,” said bar manager Deb Smith. “There’s a market for it, […]
Building permits – Sept. 1 to Sept. 7
LSI Springfield LLC received a commercial accessory structure permit for a tent at 3441 Lumber Lane. Contractor is Noonan Equipment and Event Rental and the project is valued at $1,940. Springfield Columbus Home Association received a commercial accessory structure permit for a tent at 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road. Contractor is Noonan Equipment and Event Rental […]
Myers Building celebrates 100 years
The Myers Building in downtown Springfield celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 8. Mayor Misty Buscher and Ryan McCrady, president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, met with Steve Myers and Julie Myers Casper to discuss the history and future of the iconic downtown building. The historic property now has a new owner after […]
Amanda Brown named city communications director
Amanda Brown has been named the communications director for the city of Springfield. Brown, 24, most recently worked for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus as a membership engagement coordinator. Brown said that while she enjoyed her time working in state government, “local government has always had a special place in my heart.” She said she […]
First Citizen program accepting nominations
The First Citizen award program is accepting nominations through Oct. 15, and the winner will be announced at a public event on Nov. 12. The award, which recognizes individuals whose service has significantly contributed to the betterment of the Springfield area, was created in 1963 by Springfield’s Copley-owned newspaper. The award had been associated with […]
Long Nine Junction to return downtown
A restaurant is returning to downtown Springfield with the same name and location, but a slightly different format. Corey and Emily Faucon operated Long Nine Junction for nearly four years at 5 Old State Capitol Plaza before closing in February 2021. The couple then moved to Petersburg and have been involved in several culinary ventures […]
Land of Lincoln Credit Union to acquire local bank
Land of Lincoln Credit Union has announced plans to acquire Williamsville State Bank and Trust. While the agreement is contingent on obtaining regulatory and WSB Financial, Ltd. stockholder approvals, the proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of […]
Leonard Williams joins CLP Insurance Solutions
Leonard Williams has joined CLP Insurance Solutions in Springfield. Williams, an insurance professional with more than 25 years of experience serving clients in Sangamon and Macon counties, retired from Country Financial in December 2023 and will now serve clients as an agent with CLP Insurance Solutions, located at 3050 Montvale Drive, Suite C. In his […]

