Claire GrantSpringfield State Journal- Register
While some businesses have suffered in the previous months due to rising commercial property costs, lower foot traffic and tragic closures, the sheer number of new businesses and restaurants across the Springfield area are continuing to outweigh the closures in 2024.
Here’s a look at what’s opened so far this year in the capital city.
Seoul 4 Soul
Opened: Jan. 4
About: The Korean-soul food fusion brand is no newcomer to area diners who have come to appreciate chef Kimsimone Manning’s dishes from her stint at the Old Capitol Farmers Market and pop-up events. The restaurant opened above Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. at 406 E. Adams St. and operates from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
More: Restaurant review: Beef sandwiches from Seoul 4 Soul in Springfield full of flavor
Starbucks at Fairfield
Opened: Late January
About: The 1901 W. Monroe St. store opened late January, after moving across the street from its previous location which they operated for 18 years.
More: Comings and goings: A look at what Springfield businesses have closed so far this year
High Profile
Opened: Jan. 29
About: The business that bloomed in Ann Arbor, Michigan opened its first location in Illinois and chose Springfield for its prime location. The dispensary, located at 4211 Conestoga Drive, sells a myriad of products including pre-rolls, vape pens, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and CBD.
Legendary Small Town Trading Co.
Opened: Feb. 26
About: Legendary Small Town Trading Co. settled in the Slatten Department Store building in Taylorville’s Square after some renovations to the historic building. The eatery and retail shop at 123 S. Washington St. is the second of five historic buildings on the Christian County square purchased by Heartland Development Partners LLC in 2022. The cafe offers sweet coffees, espresso drinks, a high-end bar, and charcuterie to give a relaxed and exclusive feel for visitors.
Brewhaus Bar
Opened: Feb. 12
About: Bewhaus opened up after almost a year in renovations in mid-February, returning to greet customers with quality-of-life upgrades.Originally owned by trio Denny Poke, Wally Beck and Mike Parkes, the bar located at 617 E. Washington St. dates back to 1994 and has been a go-to late night hub for downtown life.
CD’s BBQ
Opened: March 28
About: Cecil Turner knows how to barbecue, and with his with wife, Illinois Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, have opened their first flagship restaurant with each other just a few doors down from the senator's office at 723 N. Grand Ave E. The menu at CD's BBQ features ribs, which can be purchased in whole or half slabs, rib tips and barbecue pork sandwiches with the meat sliced, not shredded. Side dishes include coleslaw and baked beans.
Sakuras Sushi
Opened: Mid March
About: Sakuras Sushi’s menu focuses solely on sushi selections and a variety of appetizers, including gyoza, shrimp tempura and spring rolls.Sakuras Sushi joined the Foxx Creek Plaza lineup with the new restaurant opening at 1033 Jason Place in Chatham.
Loukinens on 4th
Opened: March 2
About: After weeks of closure due to financial missteps, Loukinens' on 4th reopened their doors to the public in March.A foreclosure filed on Dec. 8 of last year by a Chicago-based law firm on the property led to the temporary closing of the location at 517 S. Fourth St. The business serves lunches and dinner with soft drinks for several weeks, working toward a full-service bar.
The Cat’s Pyjamas
Opened: March 3
About: The Cat’s Pyjamas, Springfield’s first cat café, officially opened its doors to the public in early March after completing their repairs on business at 413 E. Adams St. The cafe was forced to close after a June fire, but plans on reopening soon to the public at 524 E. Capitol Ave.
More: Business forced to close after Adams Street fire nears reopening at new location
Johnnie O’s Mini Donuts’
Opened: April 18
About: Following the death of Lauren Appelt, a former cook at Incredibly Delicious who loved mini donuts, her fiancé John Farrow carried on her love for donuts with a food truck spotted around Springfield.The made-to-order mini donuts are available coated in the standard cinnamon-sugar and powdered sugar and rotating weekly options.
More: Springfield man opens new business to keep his fiancée's memory alive
Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ
Opened: April 11
About: After closing in 2023, Conn Hospitality Group brought back the BBQ joint flavors to Springfield at the Vinegar Hill Mall. Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse – and several menu favorites – can now be found on the beer garden/to-go menu at Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery.
Crafted Stag Supply Co.
Opened: April 6
About: The Crafted Stag Supply, an all-in-one men’s retail supply store and bar on the west side, sells more than just clothes.Ever walked into a bar, barbershop, clothes and accessories store all in one? Owner Grant Hammer wants guests to feel welcome at his man-oriented store, and stay a while. The idea behind making a one-stop shop for gentlemen revolves around the love of all thing's sports, adventuring outdoors and a passion for life itself.
More: More than just clothing: New Springfield business offering 'really cool experience'
AR Luxury Event Space
Opened: April 13
About: Planning a special event soon in Springfield? Consider AR Luxury Event Spaces, a new business on the city's southeast side. Owned and operated by Springfield native Kaia Griffin, AR Luxury Event Spaces is a dream for the CEO to provide her community a thriving place to be in the city with several entertainment events per month.
The event space is located at 3309 Robbins Road Ste 111 and is open for reservations at arleventspaces.com.
Golden Hour Bake House
Opened: May 23
About: After three years of selling her scratch-made baked good at farmers markets, owner Alli Donaldson signed a lease for 11 W. Old State Capitol to sell her allergy-free sweets and espresso.Golden Hour Bake House’s new home at the corner of Fifth and Adams streets was previously occupied by Great House BBQ.
Fairgrounds Cafe
Opened: May 30
About: Husband-wife owners and operators Jack Ahmedi and Buka Nuhiji are giving homage to their renowned neighbor, the Illinois State Fair, in the cafe’s logo – a huge Ferris wheel with coffee cups in lieu of the gondola seating. The menu at Fairgrounds Cafe offers an extensive selection of breakfast platters, skillets and omelets, as well as a variety of pancakes, French toast and waffles. Lunch selections include burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and appetizers.
More: Generous serving sizes with reasonable prices await you at this new Springfield restaurant
Aunt Lou’s Soul Food
Opened: July 12
About: Operators of Aunt Lou’s Soul Food aim to do for soul food what their predecessor in the historic Ferguson Building in downtown Springfield did for Mexican fare. The menu at Aunt Lou’s Soul Food, 524 E. Monroe St., offers a similarly modern take on soul food staples like smothered pork chops, fried green tomatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and sweet potato pie. Beverages include sweet tea and Kool-Aid.
Wildflowers and Barley
Opened: July 12
About: After a slew of successful pop-up parties over the course of several months, two DIY-crafters opened a brick-and-mortar location on Springfield's west side to keep their hat burning business growing. Co-owners Katelyn Klos and Grace Kennedy have been bringing southern charm to Springfield with their hat burning business Wildflowers and Barley. The store opened at 924 Clocktower Drive in the E Suite where the business hosts private hat burning parties.
Shangri-la dispensary
Opened: July 12
About: Owners of Shangri-La Dispensaries cut the ribbon on their new store at 3128 S. Dirksen Parkway on July 11 to celebrate the opening of their minority owned cannabis dispensary.This is the first Illinois location for the Missouri-based company, and co-owner Mit Patell said the choice to move to Springfield was an easy one in part because of other products being sold in the city.
Did we miss a business? Send us an email clgrant@gannett.com.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
