By Ben Cox
Photos/Special to The Source
Two locally owned businesses are beginning the new year with major expansions, signaling continued growth and investment in West Central Illinois.
The Witty Farmer Store is expanding to a third location, with a new store planned for New Berlin later this spring. The announcement was made on the business’ Facebook page, where owners shared their excitement about the upcoming opening.
The new Witty Farmer Store will be located at 6136 Base Line Rd. in New Berlin, just minutes from Springfield and near Danenberger Family Vineyards. The New Berlin location will be operated by the Morrison family—Nick, Macy and children Eli, Jacob and Isaac—who will oversee day-to-day operations and share progress updates as the new store is built through their own Facebook page.
“The Morrison family will be posting updates on the build and items that will be introduced in their store,” the post written by franchise owner Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall noted, welcoming them to the growing Witty Farmer family. The Witty Farmer Store opened its second location this past year in Waverly, helping rural communities find locally sourced food and products.
The Witty Farmer Store concept location founded in Riggston by Sauer-Schmidgall operates as an indoor, self-serve and self-checkout farmers market. The stores are open daily and focus on offering locally grown food and locally made goods, supporting regional farmers and artisans.
Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Jax Yoga has completed a significant relocation and expansion of its own. The studio has moved from its former location at 206 E. State St. to the former Osco building on the Jacksonville square at 45 S. Central Park Plz.
A soft open house was held on January 1, giving community members a preview of the new space. The move began on December 30, 2025, and wrapped up on January 4 this year, with classes officially resuming at the new location on January 5.
“While there is more to come, including full signage and final build-out details, we wanted to invite our community in to get a lay of the land before classes start,” Jax Yoga owner Wendy Smith shared on social media. A larger, community-wide open house is planned for February once renovations are fully complete.
The expanded location will feature outdoor signage, increased prop storage, a significantly larger pilates studio and a laundry room, with additional upgrades planned. Jax Yoga is also introducing new offerings, including merchandise collaborations with Gypsy Soul and Sous La Lune for wellness apparel and skincare, as well as on-site aesthetic services provided by Lilly Little.
Jax Yoga is currently offering membership discounts as an invitation for new and returning clients to experience the expanded studio and its broadened approach to boutique fitness and wellness.
With both businesses growing their footprints and offerings, the new year is shaping up to be an encouraging one for local entrepreneurship in the region.
