Tale of Two Springfields: Pizza shop on the way

Last edited 10:59 a.m., May 17, 2017

A pizza shop is headed to the Queen City by way of Springfield, Illinois.

Turbo Fire Pizza signage has gone up at 3654 S. Campbell Ave. at the Kickapoo Corners shopping center near City Butcher and Barbecue.

A building permit on file with the city indicates a restaurant infill/remodel request for Turbo Fire Pizza was filed March 28 by Ken Collins. An October article by The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois, reported Turbo Fire Pizza owner Tim Collins’ uncle Ken is opening the store in the Queen City through an owner-operator agreement with a planned spring opening. Tim and Ken Collins could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Springfield, Illinois-based Turbo Fire Pizza’s website claims its pizzas — including individual and family dishes — are cooked in 60 seconds. The company’s Facebook page also shows an arcade with virtual gambling machines. The Springfield, Illinois, shop is the only store listed on the company’s website, and according to The State Journal-Register, opened in fall 2015. 

A listing for the 1,900 square feet at Kickapoo Corners by Bill Beall Co. had an asking lease rate of $14 per square foot yearly, or $2,217 per month. A listing agent with Bill Beall Co. could not be reached for comment this morning. The space is located between Sally Beauty Supply and Cartridge World.

In Springfield, downtown restaurant BYOPizza’s specialized oven allows the cooking of pizzas quickly in a similar fashion to Turbo Fire Pizza.