A life of laughter and service to others BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Albert Eck always loved to make people laugh, and he was no different in death than in life. At the wake, the spray of flowers on his casket was adorned with a sign that read “Good Riddance.” Instead of his hands clasped together in […]
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Technology won’t replace customer service at area lenders
BY EMILY JANKAUSKI Home to 21 banks and six credit unions, the capital city is well acquainted with financial service offerings from both national and local financial institutions. In terms of growth, however, local banks appear more prosperous than national competitors. In 2016, Chase Bank closed its North Grand Avenue branch, while Illinois-based Citizens Equity […]
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County Market parent company celebrates its centennial
BY DAVID BLANCHETTE Quincy-based Niemann Foods turned 100 this year, and although nearly half of its 6,000 employees are associate owners, for the past century everyone at the company has known who the real bosses are. “Our boss is every customer that we either have in the stores or we are trying to attract,” said […]
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Local toy store opens downtown
The latest retail holiday pop-up is The Toy Shop at 407 East Adams Street, located next to Café Moxo in a space that was formerly home to the law office of Cavanagh & O’Hara. Two Springfield moms, Sharon Havey and Nancy Peterson, had both independently thought about such a venture and felt there was […]
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Ryan Development builds second phase on Hedley Road
Mike Ryan of Ryan Homes and Development, Inc. has purchased the former Super Wash at 3121 Hedley Road in Springfield to build a retail center. The site, across from Lowes, is located just east of his current project at 3141 Hedley where Ryan is putting the finishing touches on a newly constructed strip center. The […]
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Sherwood Plaza construction and tenant update
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Less than a year since the Kmart on West Wabash closed, the former big box store is nearly unrecognizable. The property owner, Seritage Growth Properties, is a publicly traded REIT and has a large portfolio of properties nationwide, specializing in redeveloping former Kmart and Sears locations into multi-tenant shopping centers. Based out […]
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Dan Deweese and his growing painting company – “People love the work we do. They’re amazed by it.”
BY WHITNEY BARNES Dan Deweese Wood Finishing thought he had realistic expectations when he started Dan Deweese Painting and Wood Finishing in November 2014. “When I started, it was just me,” said Deweese. He brought on a friend two weeks later, and was up to five employees after three months, and a staff of 12 […]
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Committed to Downtown – for another 50 years
BY THOMAS C. PAVLIK JR. When you’re open for business in the same community for more than five decades, you’ve probably done a few things right. And let’s be honest: you’ve probably made a few well-intentioned mistakes, too. This year marks our 50th anniversary, and we’re proud to have served the capital city for the […]
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CMT goes solar – Project is largest of its kind in Illinois
BY NAOMI VELAZQUEZ GREENE Harnessing the sun’s energy is the newest project undertaken by engineering firm Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, and it’s the largest such project in Springfield. Headquartered in Springfield, CMT just completed installation of a solar plant atop its west side office, which promises to save energy while serving as a model for […]
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A breath of fresh air – Springfield gets bigger role in American Lung Association
BY ROBERTA CODEMO The American Lung Association has a long history in Springfield dating back more than 30 years. Now, a new chapter is being written, with the Springfield office recently opening a second location to accommodate its growing needs. The move comes at a time when the American Lung Association is undergoing internal changes. […]
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Old Gillett Farm to be auctioned – Estate was home to ‘Cattle King of the World’
BY MONICA STABILE In 1868, John Dean Gillett was known as the “Cattle King of the World.” The influential businessman was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln and was known for, among other things, developing the Shorthorn cattle breed. He established his farm on Elkhart Hill, north of Springfield, and after being in the family […]
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Seven cybersecurity recommendations for small businesses
BY MICHAEL KOKAL Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses at all levels. The potential threats are numerous, and a successful attack can cripple or even destroy a small business. Darrell Fortae, owner of Everlast Software, LLC. in Springfield, teaches community-based cybersecurity seminars at Lincoln Land’s Capital City Training Center. Here are his seven recommendations […]