While some businesses have suffered in recent months due to rising commercial real estate costs, lower customer traffic and tragic business closures, the sheer number of new stores and restaurants throughout the Springfield area will continue to outweigh the number of closures in 2024.
Here’s a look at the new openings in the capital this year.
Seoul 4 Soul
Open: January 4
To: The Korean soul food fusion brand is no stranger to area diners, who have come to appreciate chef Kimsimone Manning’s dishes through her work at the Old Capitol Farmers Market and at drop-in events. The restaurant opened above Buzz Bomb Brewing Co. at 406 E. Adams St. and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More: Restaurant review: Beef sandwiches from Seoul 4 Soul in Springfield are full of flavor
Starbucks in Fairfield
Open: End of January
To: The store, at 1901 W. Monroe St., opened in late January after moving across the street from its previous location, which it had operated for 18 years.
More: Comings and goings: A look at the businesses that have closed in Springfield so far this year
High profile
Open: 29 January
To: Thriving in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company opened its first store in Illinois, choosing Springfield as the best location. The dispensary, located at 4211 Conestoga Drive, sells a variety of products, including pre-rolled joints, vape pens, concentrates, edibles, tinctures and CBD.
Legendary Small Town Trading Co.
Open: 26 February
To: The legendary Small Town Trading Co. has taken up residence in the Slatten Department Store building in Taylorville’s Square after some renovations. The restaurant and retail store at 123 S. Washington St. is the second of five historic buildings in Christian County Square purchased by Heartland Development Partners LLC in 2022. The cafe offers sweet coffees, espresso drinks, a high-quality bar and charcuterie to give visitors a relaxed and exclusive atmosphere.
Brewhouse Bar
Open: 12 February
To: Reopened in mid-February after nearly a year-long renovation, Bewhaus now welcomes customers with an improved quality of life. Originally owned by the trio Denny Poke, Wally Beck and Mike Parkes, the bar at 617 E. Washington St. dates back to 1994 and has become a popular hangout for downtown life.
CDs BBQ
Open: 28 March
To: Cecil Turner knows how to grill, and with his wife, Illinois Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield), they have opened their first flagship restaurant together just a few doors down from the senator’s office at 723 N. Grand Ave E. CD’s BBQ’s menu includes ribs, which can be purchased as whole or half slabs, rib tips and barbecue pork sandwiches, where the meat is sliced, not shredded. Sides include coleslaw and baked beans.
Sakura’s Sushi
Open: Mid-March
To: Sakura’s Sushi’s menu focuses exclusively on sushi selections and a selection of appetizers, including gyoza, shrimp tempura and spring rolls. Sakura’s Sushi was added to the Foxx Creek Plaza lineup with the opening of the new restaurant at 1033 Jason Place in Chatham.
Loukinens on 4.
Open: March 2
To: After weeks of closure due to financial missteps, Loukinens’ on 4th reopened its doors to the public in March. A foreclosure on the property, filed by a Chicago-based law firm on Dec. 8 of last year, led to the temporary closure of the 517 S. Fourth St. location. The business is serving lunch and dinner with non-alcoholic beverages for several weeks and operating a full-service bar.
The cat’s pajamas
Open: March 3
To: The Cat’s Pajamas, Springfield’s first cat cafe, officially opened its doors to the public in early March after completing repairs to its business location at 413 E. Adams St. The cafe was forced to close after a fire in June, but is expected to reopen to the public soon at 524 E. Capitol Ave.
More: Shop has to close after fire in Adams Street – reopening at new location imminent
Johnnie O’s Mini Donuts’
Open: 18 April
To: After the death of Lauren Appelt, a former chef at Incredibly Delicious who loved mini doughnuts, her fiancé John Farrow continued her love of doughnuts with a food truck spotted in Springfield. The made-to-order mini doughnuts come with the usual cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar coatings and weekly changing variations.
More: Springfield man opens new business to keep his fiancée’s memory alive
Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ
Open: 11.April
About: AAfter closing in 2023, Conn Hospitality Group brought the flavors of the BBQ joint back to Springfield at 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.
Open: 6 April
To: Crafted Stag Supply, an all-in-one men’s supply store and bar on the West Side, sells more than just clothes. Have you ever been to a bar, barbershop, clothing and accessories store all in one? Owner Grant Hammer wants guests to feel welcome in his men’s-focused store and stay a while. The idea behind creating a one-stop shop for men revolves around a love of all sports, outdoor adventures and a passion for life itself.
More: More than just clothes: New store in Springfield offers “really cool experience”
AR Luxury Event Space
Open: 13 April
To: Are you planning a special event in Springfield soon? Consider AR Luxury Event Spaces, a new business located in the southeast part of town. AR Luxury Event Spaces is owned and operated by Springfield native Kaia Griffin, and the CEO has a dream of providing her community with a thriving downtown space with multiple entertainment events per month.
The event space is located at 3309 Robbins Road Ste 111 and can be reserved at arleventspaces.com.
Golden Hour Bakery
Open: 23 May
To: After three years of selling her homemade baked goods 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
Open: May 30
To: Owner-operators Jack Ahmedi and Buka Nuhiji pay tribute to their famous neighbor, the Illinois State Fair, with the cafe’s logo – a giant Ferris wheel with coffee cups in place of gondola seats. The Fairgrounds Cafe’s menu features an extensive selection of breakfast plates, skillets and omelets, as well as a selection of pancakes, French toast and waffles. For lunch, burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and appetizers are available.
More: Generous portions at reasonable prices await you at this new restaurant in Springfield
Aunt Lou’s Soul Food
Open: July 12
To: The operators of Aunt Lou’s Soul Food want to do for soul food what their predecessor in downtown Springfield’s historic Ferguson Building did for Mexican cuisine. The menu at Aunt Lou’s Soul Food, 524 E. Monroe St., offers a similarly modern take on soul food classics like braised pork chops, fried green tomatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and sweet potato pie. Drinks include sweet tea and Kool-Aid.
Wildflowers and barley
Open: July 12
To: After a series of successful impromptu parties over the course of several months, two do-it-yourselfers have opened a storefront on Springfield’s west side to expand their hat burning business. Co-owners Katelyn Klos and Grace Kennedy have brought southern charm to Springfield with their hat burning business, Wildflowers and Barley. The business opened in the E Suite at 924 Clocktower Drive, where the business hosts private hat burning parties.
Shangri-La Pharmacy
Open: July 12
To: The 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 Missouri-based company’s first location in Illinois, and co-owner Mit Patell said the decision to move to Springfield was an easy one, in part because other products are sold in the city.
Did we miss a company? Email us at [email protected].
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. Reach her at [email protected]; and on X (formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
