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DECEMBER 2015 INSIDE THIS MONTH 217-726-6600 • [email protected] www.springfieldbusinessjournal.com Soaring interest in drones p. 4 The future of masonry p. 10 Systemax Corporation p. 21 Independent business owner Kim Dixon in Elieen Fisher fall fashion pieces, embodies the motto of PHOTO BY CATHERINE O’CONNOR “Live Life Local,” as reflected in the subtle graphic window message at the entry to the Wardrobe. Cultural shift: Wardrobe brings social consciousness back into fashion Historic preservation p. 34 By Catherine O’Connor mall shopping. best kept secrets. Tucked away in a quaint It is clear that owner Kim Dixon and formerThe Wardrobe neighborhood may be onegas of stationSpringfield’s that vibeValley in oreclectic the Pearl studios Street(s) and hip of cafes. Boulder or was transformed in the 1960s into a cozy Portland, where shoppers soak up the urban gallery-like shop, the store is an outstanding buyer Lisa Hills thrive in the somewhat example of building adaptive reuse. A First time visitors – who often become buildunsteady relationships retail environment with exclusive of Springfield, vendors step inside reveals a quiet, understated ofrepeat contemporary shoppers – chicare pleasantlyfashions surpriseddisplayed andchiefly customers because who of knowtheir thestellar value ability of high- to microcosm of the boutique universe you aroundto discover easy the nooks Wardrobe’s and a small niche seating offerings area quality, well-made clothing, limited-edition where they can linger in the unhurried jewelry, accessories and one-of-a-kind gifts atmosphere that sets it apart from the din of for baby and home. might find in Chicago’s Wicker Park, Austin’s continued on page 12 SoCo, Park Slope, New York, Frisco’s Hayes Pie’s the Limit p. 38 COMING IN JANUARY Architecture & Engineering THE LISTS: CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE CHANGE PERMIT NO 209 NO PERMIT MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS SPRINGFIELD, IL SPRINGFIELD, Springfield, IL 62705 IL Springfield, PAID P.O. Box 398 Box P.O. U.S. POSTAGE U.S. MAJOR ENGINEERING FIRMS PRSRT STD PRSRT SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL BUSINESS SPRINGFIELD 2 | | Springfield Business Journal November 2015 Rachael Thomson stands inside the future home of the Kidzeum at 412 Adams Street. PHOTO BY TERRY FARMER Meet Rachael Thomson Board president, Kidzeum By Haley Wilson As a wife, mother of three, full-time board great thing about the Kidzeum is that it president and chief fundraiser for a she married her high school sweetheart, where kids could learn and have fun at the combines my love for science and my love MikeCulver-Stockton Thomson, inCollege. 1994, andAfter when graduation, he went sameestablishment time. When like it closedthe Children’s in 2001, ThomsonMuseum for children,” she says. Rachael Thomson is able to maintain her to work for the state of Illinois, the Thomson was heartbroken. “Essentially the museum rigorousblossoming schedule. project, Thomsonit’s easy to has wonder played how a family packed their bags to begin a new failed because it was too small and not in an ideal location,” she says, referring to its the Thomson’sdevelopment experience of the Kidzeum. as aOn biology a daily Museum in the form of Kidzeum, a concept to her new hometown and began a career at questionable placement amid a bustling basismajor shehas indeedis “working been awith significant administrators, factor in vital role in resurrecting the old Children’s chapter in Springfield. Thomson settled in downtown bar scene. exhibit designers and contractors” to help coordinator. It was there that Thompson piece together the multi-sensory interactive which began seven years after the Children’s developedthe Hope School her abiding as their adoration residential for programchildren Thomson, along with several other museum. “My parents are excited because I lackMuseum’s of an organizationclosing in January dedicated 2001. to young It is with special needs and recognized the need volunteers,After the recognized Children’s theMuseum need closed,for a Thomson’s belief that Springfield has felt the new dedicated learning environment for she laughs. Thomson continued to thrive in children. She decided to take action, and the am “Kidzeumfinally putting construction my degree will to goodbegin use,” as missionpeople’s andhealth, a new science name, and Kidzeum environmental is nearly adolescentfor interactive education children’s untillearning. the birth of Kidzeum project was in full force by 2008. soon as we reach our fundraising goal. We offawareness. the ground. Almost 15 years later, with a new have raised $6 million towards our $6.8 “It has always been in my heart to help she decided to put her career on hold and a wide spectrum of individuals including million goal,” Thomson says. If you would children, especially children with disabilities,” her first child in 2000. It was then that administrators,From the beginning, parents Thomson and children. worked Withwith like to contribute to helping Kidzeum open Thomson could not shake her passion to a new and improved mission in hand, their doors, go to www.kidzeum.org. Illinois, she balanced athletics and academics helpbecome children. a stay-at-home “I needed mother.to do something However, Thomson set out to help create a place for throughoutsays Thomson. high Originally school and from went Princeton, on to besides change diapers all day,” she laughs. children of all abilities to develop and learn. Haley Wilson is a writer and marketing She recalls the excitement of having a local The process has been very rewarding. “The professional from Springfield. Springfield Business Journal | | 3 earn her bachelor’s degree in biology from November 2015 SMALL BUSINESS Soaring interest in “drones” Surge in popularity brings success to hobby shop by Job Conger During the early evolution of internal being formulated over the winter, and a formal doctrine will be made public take long for inventors to hang one on a sometime in 2016. The anticipated rules, hoverBut all modeof the if20 you or sorelease multi-rotor the controller.” and quad rules became official. “I expect to sell even combustion gasoline engines, it didn’t along with new miniaturization technology, SmallUASs we ones sell withoutstop forward cameras motion sell and for go about into more this Christmas season,” Carlson said. Similarly, about three years ago, when the Misconceptions about what a UAS can bicycle, resulting in the first motorcycle. at the retail hobby store level. true.do are They rampant. use miniature “People camerasthink you with can very use zoomed skyward from fertile minds, it has led to a major surge in UAS popularity played$30. Basic back camera-equipped on a computer, and models prices record start wide-anglerecreational views.models forEven spying,” though he the said. drone “Not first multi-rotor and quad toy helicopters atthe about flight $60. on memory Larger onescards transmit which canin real be may be hovering just a few feet from you, the tiny video camera from one. Thus began off inSales a big of way those since offered the store by Falconopened Hobby about adidn’t tumult take of developmentslong for someone that hasto hangled the a Supply, 2875 N. Dirksen Parkway, have taken for those capable of business and commercial that after many years in the “hobby business” applicationstime to a controller are considerably screen or higher. phone. Prices youview can extends see everything much wider at athan particular you’d expect.house. exclusivelytwo years ago. over Manager the Internet, Jess Wade he and explained owner Some have a controllable range of 1.2 They think that if your UAS is half a mile up, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) not there.” to recognize and address a brushfire of central Illinois. The store also specializes in That’s not how it looks. The technology is just andthreats other to flyingaircraft safety have in collidedthe hope with of remotePaul Carlson control opened trucks, a airplanesstorefront and to more.serve costmiles. of The $3,400. largest It transmits UAS offered the byview Falcon to two is visual, line-of-sight awareness, but most birdspreventing with aunhappy conflagration. consequences, As airliners the controllers,the Inspire One,an arrangement manufactured allowing by DJI, atone a Current rules require users to maintain rising popularity of remotely controlled have built-in capability that allows them to Paul’s son, Zach, is the shop’s manager. control the camera. UASs with real-time transmitting cameras human“By definition,input,” he thesaid term “The ‘drone’ manufacturers applies person to fly the UAS and the other person to unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has to vehicles that fly without constant be flown beyond that restriction. toprompted recently FAA propose efforts a tolocal minimize ban. Rules the riskare thanksAs wordto people about wanting growing to FAAbuy interestbefore the in poundsThe mustFAA websitebe registered (www.faa.gov/uav) and licensed. with new rules and Mayor Jim Langfelder sometimes call them ‘drones’ to appeal to UAS units spread, Carlson said, sales took off, states that any UAS weighing more than 55 customers who think that’s what they are. 4 | | Springfield Business Journal November 2015 from individuals and protected property. near that much but the more capable onesThose have offered gimbals at Falcon and stabilization weigh nowhere gear, sometimes accounting for half the price Businesses need approval for UAS flying. of the vehicle. This eliminates the jerky News media also need FAA approval. motion of non-stabilized cameras. The “Public entities” including publicly funded universities, police and fire departments positioning and navigation. must apply for a certificate of waiver or best have GPS gear that allows precise announcedauthorization plans to fly a forUAS instrict public city-wide areas. As for Mayor Langfelder’s recently Quad drones are easier to fly than considers them “somewhat premature. airplanes with cameras. “You can fly one with drone regulation, Carlson said he takefive minutesbetween ofone instruction,” and two hours Carlson to charge.

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