Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 07/02/2025

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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