Isringhausen Imports Announces 2025 DRIVE Grant Recipients

As part of our ongoing commitment to investing in the future of downtown Springfield, Isringhausen Imports is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Isringhausen DRIVE Grant, our signature initiative supporting new business startups in our hometown.

This year, we're awarding two $20,000 Isringhausen DRIVE Grants to standout startups ready to make their mark, along with the first-ever $5,000 Isringhausen Ignition Awards, created to honor early-stage entrepreneurs whose creativity and determination are bringing new energy and unique spaces to downtown Springfield.

The expanded $50,000 pool for the 2025 Isringhausen DRIVE Grant is made possible through a generous partnership with a Trust of an anonymous Springfield resident who passed away in 2020. A longtime believer in the city's potential, this donor wished to see downtown Springfield thrive for generations to come. Their legacy lives on through the entrepreneurs we're proud to support today that will make a more vibrant downtown.

2025 DRIVE Grant Recipients ($20,000 each):
• Long Nine Junction - A counter-service lunch restaurant helmed by husband-and-wife duo Corey and Emily Faucon, who bring over a decade of culinary expertise to Springfield's midday dining scene with fresh energy and bold flavor. This returning favorite will be located at 5 W Old State Capitol, the former site of The Wakery, and their exact previous location from years ago.
• Vonda Social House - A contemporary bar and restaurant led by husband-and-wife team Eric and Sierra Ferrell. Housed in a meticulously preserved 185-year-old residence, formerly known as The Carriage House, just steps from the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Vonda Social House serves fast-casual lunch bites by day and transforms into a lively cocktail bar with eclectic small plates by night, blending historic character with modern flair.

2025 Ignition Award Recipients ($5,000 each):
• 5th Street Gem - Founded by Lakeisha Purchase, 5th Street Gem is a vibrant event & dining space in the heart of downtown Springfield. Since opening earlier this year, it has hosted milestone celebrations, community gatherings, and special events of all kinds. But its mission reaches far beyond private rentals: 5th Street Gem serves as a cultural hub and a springboard for economic empowerment in historically underserved neighborhoods, fostering connection, creativity, and growth.
• Schlee's Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop - A boutique bakery and wine shop offering artisanal pastries and curated vintages in an inviting, upscale setting. Ashley Rickenbach relocated from Austin, Texas, to Springfield and partnered with Benjamin Galbraith and Matthew and Rachael Hurley to launch Schlee's. Located at 225 S. 6th St, across from Maldaner's, Schlee's is already open and winning over discerning customers and wine aficionados.

"We're not just investing in businesses, we're investing in dreams that move our city forward," said Cainan Barnett, Marketing Manager at Isringhausen Imports. "Since 2022, the Isringhausen DRIVE Grant has now helped spark $150,000 in new investment for downtown businesses, leading to additional energy and innovation. We believe downtown Springfield's best days are still ahead."

As in years past, the Isringhausen DRIVE Grant is awarded in collaboration with Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI), which plays a key role in the screening and selection process. Once recipients launch their businesses, DSI continues to provide hands-on support through mentoring, networking opportunities, and ongoing guidance to help them thrive.

"God bless the DRIVE Grant recipients for their passion, hard work, and investment in Downtown," said the curator of the anonymous trust. "Thank you to Isringhausen for your leadership and generosity in sharing your success with others. And thank you to all Springfield residents who continue to shop, work, and enjoy downtown, helping to revitalize our historic city center."

Isringhausen Imports
229 E. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62701

Isringhausen Imports, located in Springfield, Illinois, is a premier dealer of luxury vehicles and a committed partner to the Springfield community since 1981. Through the DRIVE Grant, Isringhausen seeks to support local entrepreneurs, enriching the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Springfield.

This release was published on openPR.