Studio Bliss Photography

The next Small Business Award Nominee of the Year for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is Doug and Susan Bloemke who own a welcoming neighborhood bar called Northern Lights Lounge Springfield. Their mission is to create a comfortable, inclusive space that brings people together with strong community ties and a feeling of home...so much so that they have started a tradition of home cooked meals on Sundays after seeing a need for a community gathering space that felt like family.

Susan first started working at Northern Lights as a bartender and built so many strong relationships with the customers there that when the chance came for her and her husband to purchase the place, they jumped on the opportunity. Northern Lights has become a thriving community hub. It is the Bloemke's goal to help everyone who walks through the door feel valued and supported. They celebrate with their customers, have bring-a-dish-to-pass Thanksgiving and Christmas meals together, host poker nights, raffles, game days and host fundraisers to support their community. And with a small pass-through window to Dillon's Pizza right next door, you can get some great food with your beverage of choice at the bar on any given day.

I cannot say enough about these two. I may have asked them to adopt me into their 'family'. They are the most cheery, fun-loving and easy-going people in the world. Their session was full of so much laughter and encouragement towards each other. It's who they are to their core, and you know it within minutes of meeting them. They are the perfect people to own a hometown lounge, and I cannot wait to take my family in to visit them. Congratulations Doug and Susan.

Introducing Jay and Tammy Hall, our next nominee for Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Business Award. They own Hall's Cycles, which was a Harley-Davidson shop purchased by Jay's father in 1962. By 1974, they were selling and servicing Husqvarna and Schwinn Bikes back then. They now ship parts all over the world because of their large inventory..

My absolute favorite part in talking with Jay was hearing his story as he came up in the world of bikes. He fell in love young with dirt bikes and servicing Husqvarnas by the age of 14. Jay begged his dad to let him set-up an area in the corner of the shop to work on bikes. He worked his way through every job in the shop and became an expert, not because he was earning a paycheck, but because it was his passion. By 2000, Jay had earned a huge reputation world-wide and was asked to be a part of Team USA in the International Six Day Enduro races in Spain as a mechanic in the pits. From there, he rose through the ranks and realized he was riding just as fast. With Tammy's encouragement and at the age of 45, Jay became a Rookie and Qualified for the races in Slovakia! This year, he races in Portugal, celebrating ISDR’s 100th year. Crazy amazing! I could have sat forever listening to the stories. I want to be on that track and in the pits with my camera!

Because Jay lives and breathes this life, he is a big part of the American Motorcyclist Association, which has coordinated off-road events and track racing, bring over 120 races a year in Illinois. Jay is also the commissioner in Illinois for racing, which means he is heavily involved in rules and regulations to keep everyone safe and is on committees for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The man doesn't just sit on committees either. Jay has raced in Motocross, Gran Prix and Flat Track racing on top of running the business. It isn't uncommon for him to put in a 13-hour workday there and is excited to say it is still family run with his wife right alongside him and with parts of the next generation rolling up their sleeves and just as invested as he is.

Jay and Tammy, you amaze me! It was an honor, truly, to hear your story. Congratulations and so very well-deserved!

Our next nominee in the New and Emerging Small Business category is Patrick Logan, owner of Hodge Podge Heaven in the White Oaks Mall. Hodge Podge has 51 vendors with a wide variety of products from custom tees to jewelry, environmentally safe cleaning supplies, candles, pet supplies, blankets and much more.

Patrick and his wife Linda started an event called Springfield 2nd Saturday after covid in the Magro's parking lot. It was a success and so they moved to the White Oaks Mall lot where they met the new mall manager. It wasn't long until they were looking at space to house some of these vendors indoor during the winter months. One of his proudest accomplishments is helping high schoolers become entrepreneurs by selling their own works in the shop. At Hodge Podge Heaven, there is something for everyone.

Cheers to Michael Higgins, one of our Lifetime Award Nominees for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Chef Michael Higgins owns an upscale, farm-to-table dining experience called Maldaners Restaurant in downtown Springfield. Fun fact, Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering is the oldest, continuously running restaurant in Illinois on Route 66 with its beginnings in 1884. Their focus in on supporting farmers by purchasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Michael and his wife, Nancy, came to Springfield in 1984 and were hired as chefs, then managers, and now the owner of the longstanding restaurant. Michaels is passionate about advocating for downtown and would love to see a population increase. He has actively been involved in the community through organizations such as the Chamber, , Buy Fresh Buy Local, Slow Food, MacArthur Blvd. Association, and Inner-City Old Neighborhoods. He and his wife were able to create real change by helping pass the ordinance for outdoor dining and street patios. They were one of the first businesses to add solar to their rooftop garden and introduced urban beekeeping. And something as simple as adding hopscotch to the sidewalks outside of the restaurant brings him joy.

We just stopped in for a wonderful night of rest before the big opening of the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, and the beef wellington was the best I have ever had. If you haven't been in to this historic and cozy restaurant to try their menu, do yourself a favor and take a night out downtown to Maldaner's. Congratulations Michael!

And rounding out the last of the New and Emerging Small Business Nominees for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is Joey Chernis of Midwest Salvage and Recycling. They are a locally owned and operated business that believes in recycling today for a better tomorrow.

Joey started in this industry 20 years ago and then opened full salvage to the public about 3 years ago. He has always loved the idea of taking things that are discarded and considered used up and helping to turn them into something new.

Congratulations on your nomination, Joey!

Meet Dustin C***s, our next New and Emerging Business Owner of the Year for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Dustin owns Legacy Pointe Eatery and has always found creative ways to set himself apart from the very beginning. His first job as a high schooler started in the Charlie Parker's kitchen, then on to LLCC where he truly fell in love with food and the artistry behind it. From there he worked at a country club, travelled to soak in all that he could, and helped open both Finley's Tap House and Sangamo Brewing Co. When an opportunity to open his own restaurant came up, his aunt encouraged him to chase after that dream and the rest is history.

This guy puts everything he has in to creating an incredible dining experience for his customers. He listens. Truly listens and responds, adjust, shifts and puts the needs of this community first. Before opening on his first day, he made the decision to use a brick pizza oven for a new Gluten Free menu. He saw the challenges families had dining without those adequate options, so he did the research, trained, and made his restaurant more inclusive to dietary restrictions on the spot. It is now one of the things he is known best for.

On top of an amazing seasonal menu, this guy is truly generous with his time and talents. Last year, he won Judges Choice in The Iron Chef Gala, where he competes and donates an amazing boating experience that culminates in a meal prepared back on land with him as the private chef and all for charity. Taking care of people is his top priority and it extends far beyond the walls of his restaurant. If you haven't been out by Scheels to see him yet for a truly wonderful dining experience, don't let the new parking traffic from the Sports Dome fool you! A table with a fantastic meal is waiting just inside for you and make sure you stop Executive Chef Dustin C***s on the way by, because you could not meet a more respectful, kind and passionate guy. Everything he does is with beautiful intention and a big 'ol smile. He is one-of-a-kind. Congrats Dustin for this very well deserved nomination!

Meet Tom Raymond of The Cats' Pyjamas Cat Café and our next Chamber of Commerce Small Business Nominee. Tom partners with the to provide a low-stress environment for adoptable cats to thrive. To date, over 160 cats have found forever homes in just over 2 years because of the work Tom and his wife have done in our community.

Although there are many Cat Cafes in major cities throughout the world, Tom had a vision at a time when he himself needed a peaceful place of respite from the crowds. In 2018, he found himself battling colon cancer. He could no longer visit the places he used to and the dream of owning a space that was quiet where people could find comfort and companionship with a potential pet seemed to stick. With the help of Innovate Springfield, The Cats' Pyjamas was born. Now they host private and community events, story hours at the library, music bingo, and have big plans moving forward to involve the community.

If you love cats and haven't been in, you can find them on E. Capitol downtown and it will be hard to miss, because they have amazing window art by the one and only Felicia Olin.

Our next New and Emerging Small Business Nominee with Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is Manny Mikaelson, who owns TPH Strategies. TPH is a tax and advisory firm that provides everything from tax planning to bookkeeping and payroll services. Manny is passionate about financial education for his clients and simplifying what can sometimes feel like a complex or complicated process for many individuals and small business owners. He is hands-down, one of the most personable, kind, and compassionate numbers-kind-of-guy I know. He knows how to ensure that the support he is providing is tailored to each client and his guidance through the process is top-notch.

Manny was approached at the age of 24 with an opportunity to acquire a long-standing tax practice. He has rebranded the firm to be what is now TPH Strategies, expanding what he offers and truly becoming a partner with his clients on their journey. "I'm proud to be living that once imagined life serving my community, building relationships and making a lasting impact."

Speaking of impact, Manny is on 6 Boards as an advocate for Springfield, with 3 of those positions being Executive. Giving back and getting involved is one of his highest priorities. Side note about how I first met Manny...I was photographing a ribbon cutting for the Chamber at a restaurant. Here I was at the end of the bar paying attention to how amazing the light was playing off the slick surface, lining up my shot with great perspective, and I get my focus just right when Manny takes his drink and poses down the bar. I laughed so hard. He was ready and caught me trying to be a fly on the wall. Manny loves the camera and the camera loves him. He brings all the creativity and fun to every shoot. By far, this man is in the most Chamber photos at every event. It is almost a game now.

Manny, you are such an incredible asset to this community. The way you show up for people, the way you cheer people on and rally around beautiful causes here locally is inspiring. I hope you never lose all that light you pour out, because you make this world a better place each and every day! So proud of you and cheering you on always!