Springfield’s Phoenix Diner Returns to Ashes as Owner Seeks Buyer

In this week’s Springfield food news, a restaurant owner announces he’s selling his equipment, a C-Street pub prepares to reopen, and a Marshfield cafe closes its doors.

Chestnut Expressway restaurant closes, plans to sell and lease equipment

The Phoenix Diner, Bar and Grille, 2833 W. Chestnut Expressway, is rising from the ashes, according to a Facebook post by owner Mike Hickman. The restaurant closed on July 20 after about two months in business.

Hickman wants to sell the equipment and transfer the lease by mid-August. In the post, Hickman said that if he doesn’t reach an agreement by mid-August, he will auction the equipment and sublease the space.

“I have taken a business opportunity that requires travel and does not allow me to play restaurant,” Hickman said in the post. Interested parties can message Hickman on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThePHOENIXDiner.

The restaurant opened shortly after Missouri Mike’s BBQ & More closed in late April of this year. The Phoenix was known for its salad bar and rotating specials, ranging from stroganoff to birria to cashew chicken.

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Moon City Pub looks forward to opening in August

Moon City Pub, 420 W. Commercial St., is preparing to reopen in early August, according to its Facebook page. The bar closed Dec. 31, 2023, but new owners were announced in June.

Glenda and Mike Pavia ran the pub from 2021 until it closed in 2023. In June 2024, Corie Godsy, Jesse Mikrut, and Teri Perry purchased the building as Moon City JCT LLC and are in the process of reopening it.

The bar is open from Tuesday to Thursday from 11am to midnight, on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 1.30am and closed on Sunday and Monday.

Marshfield cafe closes its doors

Polymath Educational Cafe, 381 McNabb Road, closed its doors on July 18. The cafe, which opened in 2017, served plant-based fare including soups, sandwiches, drinks and desserts.

“As we say goodbye, we encourage you to explore the thriving vegan food scene in our community — may your taste buds continue to delight in the abundance of delicious options available,” Polymath Educational Cafe posted on Facebook. “Thank you for being a part of our cafe family — your love and support will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

The café was also open in The Library Center from June 2023 to May 2024.

Susan Szuch covers health and nutrition for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @szuchsm. Have a story idea? Email her at [email protected].