This unsung hero has courage, conscientiousness, perseverance, resilience and passion. Charlene Powers, a volunteer board member of WILD Canine Rescue, was raised with grit and inspired by her father, who was a commercial trapper. Powers said her dad would take her along when he was trapping, and he taught her how to think outside the […]
IT Staff
Posted inBest of Springfield®
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE
Once Upon a Child, 4225 Wabash Ave., is locally owned and operated by Sommer and Micah Glauberman. The Glaubermans opened the franchise that sells gently used kids’ clothing, shoes, toys and baby gear for about 70% less than retail in late 2016. Sommer was new to Springfield, and after shopping to outfit their own kids […]
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MARGARITAS
Almost everyone likes margaritas, right? Here in Springfield, folks favored the offerings at Blue Margaritas this year. Blue Margaritas prides itself on being not just another food chain, but rather a family business with deep roots and a welcoming atmosphere – something that’s evident in its margaritas. Naturally, they come either frozen or on the […]
Posted inBest of Springfield®
NONPROFIT
What’s not to love about a WILD woman? Women in Love with Dogs, or WILD Canine Rescue, is near and dear to every dog lover’s heart in central Illinois and beyond. WILD Canine Rescue, founded in 2016, is a nonprofit registered with guidestar.org to ensure transparency, licensed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and has […]
Posted inBest of Springfield®
BEST NEW BUSINESS (DOWNTOWN)
What happens when you mix a love of aviation and coffee? Aviatori Coffeehouse, the best new business in downtown and runner-up for best coffeehouse in Springfield. Settling down in Havana, Illinois, after falling in love with the area while working as crop dusters, Juliana Turchetti and Joe Coppick decided to take their passion for coffee […]
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BOOKSTORE (USED)
The enduring popularity of ink-on-paper books and a helpful staff are what Tami Frye, owner of The Book Rack, pointed to as key to the success of her business and its selection as top used bookstore in the Illinois Times 2022 Best of Springfield contest. “My employees are the best employees who have ever been,” […]
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UP-AND-COMING LEADER
When Liz Rupel saw that she had been nominated, she was touched that someone was thinking of her. “It’s just like a motivator when you needed one,” she says. “There’s someone out there in the community that believes in you. It’s a motivator to keep making change and trying to make this world a little […]
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BEST ART STUDIO/GALLERY
BEST ART STUDIO/GALLERY KIDS’ ART CLASSES SUMMER CAMP Springfield Art Association (SAA) is a community-based nonprofit that has been a mainstay of Springfield’s north side for over 100 years. Located just north of downtown in the Enos Park neighborhood, SAA offers a variety of classes for all ages and summer camps for children and teens. […]
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PET GROOMING
Ashley Brown enjoys being able to transform the look of a dog. Her 5-year-old business, Pup.E.Tails, was voted best pet grooming by Illinois Times readers in the 2022 Best of Springfield contest. “I just like the atmosphere of it – just seeing what you can do with their hair,” Brown said. The Curran resident was […]
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COFFEE HOUSE
Grab-A-Java has been doing its thing for more than 20 years. And one of the aspects our capital city particularly loves are the banners hanging outside the store that always catch our eye and make us laugh or take note. But what really makes a coffee house is the quality of the product and friendly […]
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GIFT STORE
“Janet, you need to think about what you’re going to do when all of this is behind you. What brings you joy?” Balding, puffy and in the middle of chemotherapy, Janet Barkmeier, owner of Once in a Blue Moon, hadn’t given much thought as to what came next. But the words of her nurse practitioner […]
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NEW BUSINESS (NOT DOWNTOWN)
“I’ve always been artistic and creative and had to do something,” says Brandy Fletcher. A professional photographer who spent most weekends with her husband shooting hundreds of weddings over 15 years, Fletcher said health issues led her to painting furniture and crafting. After selling her wares on Facebook Marketplace and giving them to friends and […]
