Business in the 217: Springfield Business Journal Chat with Michelle Ownbey - 07/09/2025

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:

• 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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