Local First Springfield

08/20/2026

We are honored and grateful that Local First Springfield has been named a recipient of the Business Excellence Award, Non-Profit, from the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce!

This recognition belongs to every one of our members. Local First Springfield exists because of the small business owners who show up for this community every single day, and because of the neighbors who choose to shop local, eat local, and support local first.

Thank you to the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce for this incredible honor, and thank you to our members, our board, and everyone who believes that strong local businesses build strong communities.

Here's to keeping Springfield local.

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

🎄✨ BIG HOLIDAY NEWS FROM WESTSIDE MARKET! ✨🎄

Westside Market is so excited to announce our first-ever Hometown Christmas Market! This outdoor market is inspired by the charm and magic of your favorite Hallmark-style Christmas movies! ❤️🎅

Get ready for TWO DAYS of holiday magic, including:
🎁 Holiday shopping with amazing local vendors

🎶 Christmas caroling
💃 Holiday dancing
✨ Christmas lighting ceremony
🎄 Festive Hallmark-inspired atmosphere
❤️ Plenty of hometown holiday cheer!

And the excitement has already started; vendors are being accepted!

If you’re a local maker, small business, artisan, farmer, or unique vendor who wants to be part of one of Springfield’s newest holiday traditions, get your application in ASAP!

Come help us turn Springfield’s Westside into our very own Hometown Christmas. 🎄✨

📅 December 12th & 13th, 2026
📍 The Crafted Stag | Springfield, IL
🤝 Sponsored by Local First Springfield

SHOP LOCAL • CELEBRATE LOCAL • CHRISTMAS ON THE WESTSIDE ❤️🎄

👇 Vendor applications are open, apply today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1t1bklbPzaodO9huE2Pm4Mj98Y1k7bVfYUwqFRA4zoZk/viewform?edit_requested=true

08/06/2026

Join our friends over at Compass for Kids for their back to school brunch!

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Where: Erin's Pavilion at Southwind Park
Time: Doors open at 10:00am

Event will include: Brunch buffet, cash bar including mimosas and Bloody Mary's, silent auction, shopping in the Compass marketplace, networking, a celebration of 10 years as an independent 501(c)(3), and a fun surprise at the end.

This event raises vital funds to support our school year and summer programming.

08/01/2026

Applications for the $2,500 Small Business Grant are officially closed.

To everyone who hit record and sent in a video, thank you. We are excited to evaluate them!

Missed it? You can still be in the room.

The winner gets announced live at the Fall Soirée, and we'd love to see you there.
$25 a ticket. That gets you food, two drink tickets, and live music, plus a night with the people building this city one small business at a time.

You don't have to be a grant applicant to come. You just have to care about local.

Thursday, October 1
5:30 to 7:30 PM
The View at Jane Hay Sales and Staging

Ticket link in comments.

08/01/2026

Have you taken the kids here yet? Stop by and see our friends at Little Lincoln's Toy Shop this weekend!

Stuck inside on this rainy Friday? Rainy days make a great day to go squishy hunting in the toy shop! Open until 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Noon to 4 pm on Sunday! We can't wait to see you this weekend!

07/31/2026

LAST CALL. Applications for the $2,500 Local First Springfield Small Business Grant close TONIGHT.

If you have been telling yourself you will get to it later, later is right now.
Here is all it takes:

A 60-second video. That's it.

Tell us your why, and tell us what this grant would do for your business.

No polished production. No fancy gear. Your phone, your voice, your story.
Requirements:

Must be a Local First Springfield member
Video must be 60 seconds or less
Submit before tonight's deadline

The winner gets announced at the Fall Soirée in front of a room full of people who are rooting for Springfield's small businesses.

Sixty seconds of your time for a shot at $2,500 in your business. Go hit record.

07/31/2026

A shot at a free pair of Asics from Springfield Running Center? I'm in!

07/30/2026

Why Local? Lets hear from Michelle Klemm Tjelmeland from District 23