Top Ten stories of 2023 for The Hub Springfield

Before we get too deep into 2024 we’d like to take a quick look back at the stories that were reader favorites in the year just past. Our People, Parks Power series struck a chord with readers as a handful of those stories made it into the Top Ten for the year. Readers also were interested each time we published a story on renovations at the State Theater. Enjoy.

10. Update: The State Theater gets closer to opening
Curious about what was to come, a man who was strolling down Fountain Avenue with a coffee in-hand peeked through the glass doors of The State Theater in Downtown Springfield.

He lucked out because at the same time, one of the building owners – Rod Hatfield – happened to be walking toward the doors from inside. The passerby explained that he was a 1979 Springfield North High School grad who currently lives in San Francisco and was only back for the day. He asked to go inside, and while The State wasn’t officially open, Hatfield invited him in. The man was visibly taken by the nostalgia of the space. Read more.

9. Champion City Pops, Sweets & Treats to open in brick and mortar Downtown Springfield location
When Tyson and Betsy Yirak first launched Champion City Pops in April 2021, they started with a folding table, a couple portable freezers and a chalkboard business sign.
Three of the many flavor combinations offered by Champion City Pops, Sweets & Treats (left to right) include Mixed Berry, Mango Berry, and Cookie & Cream.
What a difference two years makes.

The Springfield natives - who worked around the country, then moved back to Clark County shortly before launching the business - have been dedicated to building their brand and recently announced the opening of a brick and mortar shop in Downtown Springfield.

“It’s been fast – most businesses don’t grow this fast,” Betsy says. “But lots of people were excited when we were doing the Market at Mother’s, so we were able to grow quickly.” Read more.

8. Freemans dedicate talent to uplifting Downtown Springfield restaurant scene
Fans of Lisa Freeman’s pastries might see the art, but she also knows the science.

Dan and Lisa Freeman, owners of Le Torte Dolci, Salato Deli, Crust & Company and Ironworks Waffle Cafe.Lisa, the executive chef behind the delights at Le Torte Dolci and the three other shops owned by her and her husband, Dan, says it is a passion of hers to understand how different ingredients come together to create the highest quality baked goods.

“We seem to be in an age where the science of baking is really not a common thing anymore,” Lisa says. Read more.




7. Blended by J takes Clark County food truck scene by storm
Jillian Tedeschi was stunned and honored to have her Blended by J açaí bowl food truck make it into the finals of the Best of Springfield competition after only two
months of business. “To be nominated for Best New Business and Best Food Truck was definitely not expected,” Tedeschi says. “Just to be included with the other amazing local businesses is huge and such an honor.” Read more.

6. From social media group to in-person community: Clark County Food Fiends choose to 'embrace local’

Ryan Ray loves good food. But, his love of good food isn’t comparable to his love for the people and places in his community and his deep-rooted drive to champion both.

“The realization hit me after the pandemic that a lot of local eateries were hanging on by a thread,” says Ray, who has lived in Springfield all his life, minus a short stint in Colorado. “I was on a trip in Tennessee when this idea hit me – what if we create something that draws people to really ‘embrace local’ instead of just supporting local?” By supporting local, he says, people go to a shop or restaurant and patronize it. While that’s a start, “embracing local” takes the concept a step further. Read more.

5. People, Parks, Power: Changemakers leading the charge for environmental justice and equity
Moses Mbeseha and Karlos Marshall founded The Conscious Connect in 2016.A local organization that received a $500,000 national grant to promote park equity wants all residents to be within a 10-minute walk of green space.

In Springfield that means a focus on the Southside. But The Conscious Connect Community Development Corporation says that the People, Parks, and Power (P3) grant that it was awarded affects everyone, wherever they live. “Parks and green space do not exclusively serve the residents who live in proximity to them,” says Karlos L. Marshall, co-founder of The Conscious Connect. Read more.

Ronel Muskeyvalley is one of the community gardeners at the Jefferson Street Oasis Garden. He works the largest plot in the garden and uses produce for services to deliver food to those in need within our community.4. People, Parks, Power: How South Side in Bloom is more than a typical tour
It was a refrain heard time and again at last year’s inaugural South Side in Bloom. “I had no idea this was here,” Steve Schlather recalls visitors saying as they toured the display of community gardens and neighborhood parks located throughout Springfield’s Southside. Read more.







3. Beatles tribute band to perform Downtown rooftop concert
Bringing a Beatles tribute act to Springfield to play a rooftop concert in June for the first time wasn’t exactly a long and winding road. Instead, the city was a natural extension to the popular Dayton event, says Brian Johnson, a partner at Level Up Productions. Read more.




2. Update: The State Theater renovations continue
The revitalization of the once Downtown-Springfield staple began at the end of 2021 when local investment organization Altered State Group (ASG) gained ownership of The State Theater. The group is made up of a quartet of lifelong friends who all graduated from Catholic Central High School in the 1980s - Rod Hatfiled, Nick Demana, Patrick Field, and Dr. Ash Ahmed. Read More.

COhatch Springfield
1. Changes coming to COhatch Springfield - The Market
The community will soon see a number of changes coming to COhatch Springfield – The Market, including new bars, a new restaurant and new seating, as the business approaches its three-year anniversary this June. “We’re going to be revamping some spaces as we look to get back to our roots and create more of a community feel,” says Rachel Erie, operations and talent manager for COhatch Springfield. “We have some exciting changes coming, and its an exciting time.” Read more.