Antique or vintage store
Tammi’s Treasures Antiques & More
490 IL Route 104, Divernon
217-628-3333
Finalists: Springfield Vintage, Abe’s Tradin’ Post, Sweet Peas Antique’s & More
Appliance Store
Sam’s Best Brands Plus
3101 Lindbergh Blvd.
217-726-0000
Finalists: Dick Van Dyke, Best Buy
Auto dealer new
Isringhausen Imports of Illinois
229 E. Jefferson St.
217-744-8559
Finalists: Friendly Honda Springfield, Freedom Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – Virden, Green Hyundai, S & K Buick GMC, Green Toyota
Auto dealer used
Freedom Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
625 S. Springfield St., Virden
217-965-3327
Finalists: Roberts Automotive, Friendly Honda Springfield, CarMax, AVID Autosports
Auto salesperson
Brandon Horner, Isringhausen Imports of Illinois
229 E. Jefferson St.
217-744-8559
Finalists: Brian Wilbern, Roberts Automotive; Mylas Copeland, Green Toyota Audi Volkswagen; Jeremy Lookis, Landmark Automotive; Paul Walsh, Friendly Chevrolet
Bicycle shop
Ace Bike Shop
2500 S. MacArthur Blvd.
217-523-0188
Finalists: Wheel Fast Bicycle Co., Scheels, Springfield Bicycle Doctor
Bookstore – independent
Elderberry & Plumb Bookstore
926 S. Seventh St.
217-801-6925
Finalists: Prairie Archives, The Book Rack, Wildflower & Rose Bookstore – Petersburg, Books On The Square
Cashier
Bernedette Wallace, McDonald’s
3250 S. Sixth St.
217-529-3320
Finalists: Caleb Smith, Food Fantasies; Joey, Whimsy Tea; Kristin Diehl, Custom Cup Coffee; Christina Yoc, CBD Botanicals
Clothing store – men
The Crafted Stag Supply
3455 Freedom Dr.
217-698-6300
Finalists: Scheels, Jim Herron, Ltd., Men’s Wearhouse, Wilson Haberdashery
Clothing store – used
WILD Thrift & Sniff
1633 N. Dirksen Pkwy.
217-679-1875
Finalists: Clothes Mentor, Springfield Vintage, Second Time Around, Hope Thrift Center, Studio on 6th
Clothing store – women
District 23 Boutique
830 South Grand Ave. W.
217-679-1352
Finalists: Gypsy Soul, SGK Boutique | (Shayna Gibbons Keeley Boutique), JCPenney, Willow & Birch Salon
Consignment & resale store
Clothes Mentor
2329 W. Monroe St.
217-698-8485
Finalists: Second Time Around, Plato’s Closet, Hope Thrift Center, Sweet Pea Consignment
Convenience Store
Casey’s
721 W. Stanford Ave., 217-528-8594
1133 W. Jefferson St., 217-559-2803
3001 Ridge Ave., 217-522-5829
3961 N. Peoria Road, 217-525-8670
Finalists: Circle K, Hilltop Convenience, Qik-N-Ez, Thorntons 6th street
Gift Store
Cardologist
229 S. Sixth St.
217-525-4121
Finalists: Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop, Once in a Blue Moon International Gift Gallery, Kennedy Sue Gift & Home, Unique Enchantments
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
2115 S. MacArthur Blvd.
217-726-1001
Finalists: Humphrey’s Market, Schnucks, Harvest Market, Meijer, Country Market
Jewelry store
Jones Jewelers
3124 Montvale Dr.
217-787-7457
Finalists: Giganti & Giganti Fine Jewelry, Denney Jewelers, Luttrell Jewelers, Studio on 6th
Liquor store
Binny’s Beverage Depot
2490 Wabash Ave.
217-787-3401
Finalists: Riverton Party Store, Friar Tuck
Meat selection
Humphrey’s Market
1821 S. 15th St.
217-544-7445
Finalists: Country Market, Hy-Vee, Harvest Market, Meijer
Natural food or supplement store
Food Fantasies
1512 Wabash Ave.
217-793-8009
Finalists: Whimsy Tea Company, The Vitamin Shoppe, Roaring Lion Ranch & Retreat’s Botanical Market & Apothecary
New business downtown (opened after 8/1/25)
Arrowroot Coffee Co – Roastery and Coffee Lounge
625 E. Adams St.
217-566-5282
Finalists: Long Nine Junction, Vault 66 Pinball, Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery and Bottle Shop, Gracie Humaita Springfield
New business not downtown (opened after 8/1/25)
Elderberry & Plumb Bookstore
926 S. Seventh St.
217-801-6925
Finalists: Bespoke Cafe + Kitchen, The Spot 90’s Bar & Grill, Los Altos Cocina y Cantina, The Library Pizza and Sports Bar
Optical shop
Vision Care Associates
121 North Grand Ave. W.
2741 Prairie Crossing Dr., 217-528-3233
Finalists: Henderson Eye Center, Prairie Eye Center, Gailey Eye Clinic, Bergh White Opticians
Pawn shop
Stevenson Drive Pawn Shop
2223 Adlai Stevenson Dr.
217-414-0909
Finalists: Monster Pawn Springfield, Cash America Pawn
Place to feed the slots
Route 66 Motor Heads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex
600 Toronto Rd.
217-679-7323
Finalists: Jamie’s Route 66, Scoop After Dark, Scoop Du Jour, Clique, It’s All About Wine
Produce selection
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Downtown Springfield
downtownspringfield.org/old-capitol-farmers-market
Finalists: Meijer, Aldi, Harvest Market, Hy-Vee, Country Market
Retail shop
Little Lincoln’s Toy Shop
3001 W. White Oaks Dr.
217-670-1326
Finalists: Dumb Records, Kennedy Sue Gift & Home, District 23 Boutique, Unique Enchantments
Seafood selection
Robert’s Seafood Market
1615 W. Jefferson St.
217-546-3089
Finalists: Hy-Vee, Harvest Market, Meijer
Thrift store
WILD Thrift and Sniff
1633 N. Dirksen Pkwy.
217-679-1875
Finalists: Springfield Vintage, Land of Lincoln Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County ReStore, Hope Thrift Center
Vape shop
Tribble Vapors
2404 Denver Dr., 217-679-6026
3429 Freedom Dr., 217-679-8382
Finalists: Upper Limits Midwest, Inc., CBD Botanicals, Vaporium
Wine store
It’s All About Wine
1305 Wabash Ave.
217-546-9463
Finalists: Binny’s Beverage Depot, Corkscrew Wine Emporium, Friar Tuck, Hy-Vee
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
