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

• Suzie Wichmann - Krekel's Custard

Trent R. Nelson spoke with Springfield Krekel's Owner Suzie Wichmann about the restaurant, its history, its future, and the awesome collaboration that it's in the middle of to celebrate 30 years of burgers in the capital city of Illinois!

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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:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors and Sierra both opening this week.

   

• A third fine in fewer than two years for Blue Cross Blue Shield proves that stronger regulations are needed to prevent insurers from promoting “ghost networks” of providers, state Rep. Sue Scherer says. She has reintroduced a health insurance reform bill that failed to pass the General Assembly in 2022.

   

• A lack of affordable daycare options is contributing to a workforce shortage in the Springfield area, contends Kayla Edwards, managing partner of Express Employment Professionals. In addition, a federal subsidy to childcare providers expired on Oct. 1, causing Illinois to lose $800 million in federal funding.

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

• Joe Deguanno - Navaquest

For more information and for tickets, you can see the link below!

https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200025600450927

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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:

• The Railyard, an outdoor food venue based around shipping containers, opened last Friday, two years after plans were announced to bring the unique concept to Springfield.

   

• European Wax Center is holding a soft opening tomorrow at 4423 Yucan Dr.

   

• Compass for Kids has relocated to new office space on South Fourth Street and hired Christy Freeman Stark as director of marketing, a full-time position shared with Kidzeum of Health and Science.

   

• Some recipients of business grants funded with a portion of Springfield’s share of sales taxes on adult-use cannabis are upset their businesses were mentioned in an independent audit critical of the new program. City officials are holding off on announcing a second round of grants to Black-owned businesses on the east side while considering changes to the program to create a more consistent system for disbursing and monitoring grant funds.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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:

• Green Family Stores will open the doors of its new Hyundai dealership on Stanford Avenue on Nov. 1.

• Perspectives Art Gallery, a fine art gallery space that features both local and national artists, opens its doors on Nov. 11 in Petersburg.

• Bloom Wine Bar & Florals will be opening Nov. 18 at 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, offering wine, craft cocktails, and beer, along with floral services and a space for private events.

• Springfield-area entrepreneurs Jeff Stauffer, Dan Thompson, Trevor Clatfelter, and Dave Thompson teamed up to launch Bus Gates, a company that sells bus safety devices, which are manufactured locally by Henson Robinson Company and shipped to school districts nationwide:

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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:

• Yummy Bowl, a Mongolian barbecue and sushi restaurant, has opened on Springfield’s west side.

   

• Jaalsa, an Indian fusion restaurant and bar, has opened on South Sixth Street.

   

• Roots Latin Grill held a grand opening last Friday for Socavon, a new bar and lounge located two doors down from the restaurant:

   

• Sheedy Shores WineGarden is closing at the end of this month except for occasional special events going forward. The final events are a "Hallowine" party on Oct. 28 and Joel Honey on Oct. 29 for the last show.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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:

• Springfield Clinic is set to hold a grand opening block party on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. for the new pediatrics facility on Old Jacksonville Road. The 40,000-square-foot building opened to patients Monday.
• Terry Wilson is opening Wilson Haberdashery on Springfield's west side.
• Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright has been named the 7th Judicial Circuit's newest associate judge, and it appears likely that former state's attorney John Milhiser will return to his old job in mid-November.
• The 15 Under Fifteen small business awards program will take place Thursday, Oct. 19, from 5:30-7 p.m. at United Community Bank’s headquarters on Montvale Drive.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.