City loan key to finishing Heer’s project

Christmas shopping at Heer’s Department Store always was something of a tradition for me. I even remember getting my first taste of tortellini Alfredo at J Parrino’s restaurant in the Heer’s building.

Most Springfield natives, if they’re completely honest, will admit that watching the building fall into its current state actually has been painful to see.
The city of Springfield approved Aug. 23 a $2 million loan to St. Louis development company Blue Urban LLC.

Bistro Market has charm, but will it last?

If there’s one word I would use up-front to describe the Bistro Market downtown, it’s panache. The place is immediately eye-catching, and its many glass windows facing Walnut and South all but beg passersby to enter.

And enter, they have. Since the Price Cutter urban market opened Aug. 20, crowds have rushed the place, eager for a brand new experience.

Hammons ‘back in the saddle’ after surgery

Springfield hotelier John Q. Hammons underwent surgery late last year, but he’s fully recovered and “back in the saddle,” according to right-hand man Scott Tarwater.

Hollywood Casting Call

Starting tomorrow afternoon, Hollywood Theaters will hold a three-day job fair in hopes of hiring 40-60 employees for its long-awaited downtown Springfield theater, which is set to open in College Station this fall. The job fair will run from 4-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn Express on St. Louis Street.

Hollywood Vice President of Marketing Heather Wright tells SBJ that her company isn’t yet ready to announce a grand opening date or specific festivities. Better hurry. Quantum of Solace, the new Bond movie, opens Nov. 14.

Wright said the theater will have 14 screens with capabilities to play digital movies in four auditoriums, 3D in two and 35mm film in 10. The complex also will boast 100 percent Dolby Digital Surround Sound.