MBBA Welcomes Back Design Ideas Holiday Store
 
For the third year in a row, Design Ideas has chosen to hold their annual Holiday Store on MacArthur in the former CVS building in the Town & Country Shopping Center. Last year the store had nearly 10,000 transactions in 10 days, enabling them to donate $5,000 each to the three participating local charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Illinois Capital Region, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Sparc.

 

This year, Design Ideas will keep the holiday store open from Friday, Nov. 28 until Saturday, Dec. 27. MBBA members will be invited to a special "friends and family" sneak preview event on Wednesday, Nov. 26 immediately following the ribbon cutting and press conference at 2 p.m....watch your email for more details!
 
12 Days of Christmas Retail Campaign & MacArthur Gives Back
 
The MBBA is also planning a holiday promotion to encourage shoppers to patronize MacArthur businesses, particularly those who may be drawn to the area by the Design Ideas store. Design Ideas has agreed to place a promotional flyer in the bag of each shopper at their store. The flyer will list the 12 participating businesses where shoppers can go to register to win a series of prizes.

 

Participating businesses will have collection boxes and entry forms at their location as well as posters and flyers promoting the contest.  We will also be hosting a canned food drive in coordination with the Salvation Army on December 6th & 7th.  Please check our website for additional details and location.
 
Welcome new business Lovelight Photography
 
Lovelight Photography has opened a studio at 809 S. Grand Ave. West. Owners Jonathan and Shannon Kirshner both graduated from the photojournalism program at Western Kentucky University. They moved to Springfield in 2004 to take jobs with the State Journal-Register, where Allison still works. Jonathan now does work for editorial and corporate clients and they both photograph weddings and other special events. They have twin children, Harrison and Allison, who were born in April. Check out their website www.lovelightphotography.com for more information or call 220-3348.
 
Congratulations to the MacArthur area "Best of Springfield 2008"
 
A number of MacArthur area businesses were recently recognized by the Illinois Times "Best of Springfield 2008" competition, which were chosen by reader votes. Congratulations to the following businesses in our area:
 
Best weekend breakfast - D&J Café, 915 W. Laurel
Best Chinese food - Hunan, 1101 W. Wabash Ave.
Best fried chicken - Fritz's Wagon Wheel Restaurant, 2709 S. MacArthur
Best horseshoe - D'Arcy's Pint, 661 W. Stanford Ave.; Dublin Pub, runner-up
Best Gyros - Gyros Stop, 2907 S. MacArthur
Best Chef - Sean Keely at Ross Issac, 1710 S. MacArthur
Best restaurant to impress out-of-town guests - Ross Issac, 1710 S. MacArthur
Best green friendly business - Food Fantasies, 1512 W. Wabash
Best Yoga Instructor - Ami Flammini, Ahh Yoga, 1051 Wabash Ave.