Business In The 217

Trent R. Nelson speaks with Michelle Ownbey, publisher of the Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, about the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• The Wakery opened downtown a little over two years ago, but owner Elizabeth Wake said the business has not proven to be sustainable, despite a strong public reception and winning several awards.

   

• University of Illinois Springfield has pivoted from plans to open its new “Innovation Center” in a three-story building downtown and now will rent space for the center three blocks east, inside Horace Mann Educators Corp.’s headquarters.

   

• Friday Night Live kicks off in downtown Springfield July 11 and continues for three consecutive Fridays, with extended business hours for food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and family fun at local businesses. The collaboration among downtown businesses and community supporters is intended to bring people downtown to experience all the brick-and-mortar businesses have to offer.

   

• It took nearly two years to find a buyer, but now the new owner of the former Heartland Credit Union building on South Grand Avenue has renovations underway in hopes of securing a tenant.

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Trent R. Nelson speaks with Michelle Ownbey, publisher of the Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, about the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• Tacology 201 was launched as the second version of the popular Mexican restaurant, which also experimented with bar partnerships at one point, but owner James Hamilton has announced that his time in the restaurant business has come to an end.

   

• The planned July 1 opening of The Fountain on Route 66 has been delayed "a few more days," according to owner Tom Hart. The 1950s-themed diner on North Ninth Street is in a building that housed Sonrise Donuts, an iconic Route 66 business, for more than four decades.

   

• A year after beginning construction, Springfield Gymnastics Center is preparing to move into a new facility on the west side that is nearly twice as large as its previous space.

   

• The Village of Jerome is planning to form its first TIF district, which President Mike Lopez says will help address infrastructure issues and provide funds for facade improvement and other business development incentive programs. However, District 186 is opposed, with Superintendent Jennifer Gill noting the district already agreed to not collect additional property taxes generated by Scheels Sports Park over a 20-year period, so the financial hit from a Jerome TIF would amount to a "double whammy." A public hearing on the proposed TIF is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 3 at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard St.

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In this episode of Business in the 217, Trent R. Nelson talks with:

• Heather Burton - Illinois Women in Leadership

Trent R. Nelson spoke with Heather Burton about what the organization does, what the ATHENA Leadership Award is, the nominees, the time of the event, plus more!

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Business in the 217: Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance CEO Ryan McCrady - 06/26/25

Trent R. Nelson speaks with CEO, and President Ryan McCrady, for their bi-weekly chat concerning the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• Infrastructure updates across Springfield

• The recent words of Fed Chair Jerome Powell and what they mean

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Trent R. Nelson speaks with Michelle Ownbey, publisher of the Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, about the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• Three certified financial planners have joined forces to create Navigator Wealth Strategies, a Springfield-based financial planning firm serving central Illinois.

   

• Coltin Cunningham has launched Alpha Dog Inspections, a business inspired by the seven-year saga of health problems his daughter and family endured.

   

• Jerk Shop Go has been through several changes during the five years the business has been open, but now the Caribbean restaurant is ceasing operations.

   

• 217 Pony Shoe Week continues through June 29. Enjoy variations on a Springfield favorite, ranging from savory to sweet, at 14 different locations. Check out 217foodweek.com for the special shoes, prices and hours of service.

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In this episode of Business in the 217, Trent R. Nelson talks with:

• Eric Hill - SkillsUSA Illinois

Trent R. Nelson spoke with Eric Hill of SkillsUSA Illinois about what the organization does, why they support vocational training in schools alongside traditional education, how the state budget has played out, recent and upcoming events, plus more!

Share and subscribe, and ensure that your neighbors and loved ones have the gift of knowledge.

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Trent R. Nelson speaks with Michelle Ownbey, publisher of the Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, about the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• A new entertainment complex and indoor/outdoor food court is under construction in Legacy Pointe. 

   

• A former restaurant in a historic Springfield neighborhood has new owners who plan to reopen it with a different focus.

   

• Simplex, one of Springfield’s largest manufacturing companies, has been sold to a Canadian-based company for $28 million.

   

• Friendly Honda of Springfield will hold a groundbreaking ceremony June 20 for a major renovation and expansion of the dealership at 2500 Prairie Crossing Drive.

Subscribe to the Springfield Business Journal and their weekly Biz Bites email newsletter

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In this episode of Business in the 217, Trent R. Nelson talks with:

• Jill Steiner - YMCA & The Citizens Club of Springfield

Trent R. Nelson spoke with Jill Steiner of the YMCA, who will be moderating the Citizens Club of Springfield event on June 27, about the organization, why mental health is so crucial, and more!

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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On this episode of Business in the 217, Trent R. Nelson talks with:

• Jim Watts - ImpactLife

Trent R. Nelson spoke with Jim Watts of ImpactLife about the joy of being kind to others, donating blood, and why it is so crucial always, and much more.

Share and subscribe, and ensure that your neighbors and loved ones have the gift of knowledge.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Trent R. Nelson speaks with Michelle Ownbey, publisher of the Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, about the latest happenings in the Springfield business community and all of the relevant bits fit for the greater community to learn about.

Topics Discussed In This Interview:

• Sangamon County officials have solicited proposals from development groups interested in potentially building a new $100 million downtown hotel adjacent to a proposed $93 million expansion of the BOS Center.

• The nearly $500 million effort to improve the Capitol Complex, including a major renovation of the long-vacant Illinois State Armory, continues to take shape in downtown Springfield. The 250,000-square-foot Armory building is being transformed from a civic center into an executive office building, with plans to move support staff from the governor's office and other state agencies into it upon completion.

   

• Ward 5 Ald. Keisha Purchase will hold a grand opening for her new business, 5th Street Gem, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11.

• Learn about the proposed Third Street Corridor through Springfield, planned to be developed following the relocation of the Third Street railroad tracks to the 10th Street rail corridor. A public open house will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at the Dana-Thomas House. The "Linc" will extend from the Illinois State Fairgrounds to the Interurban/Wabash Trail near Stanford Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, with the main portion of the greenway connecting to the 3rd Street railroad corridor through the downtown area.
• In addition to viewing the updated plans for the greenway, guests can enjoy guided tours of the historic Dana-Thomas House, offered every half hour by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources starting at 4:30 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Subscribe to the Springfield Business Journal and their weekly Biz Bites email newsletter

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