"Springfield resident bringing new eatery to neighborhood
While driving by an empty storefront in a historic building on North Pearl Street in Springfield, Brandon Byers' mind reverted back to a painting he saw in a department store of a bustling café.
That painting now hangs in Byers' latest venture, The Cookbook Restaurant, which is set to open later this month at 1827 N. Pearl St.
Byers, a Springfield resident, is no stranger to food service as his family has owned and operated Bj's Grocery on the Northside for the last 40 years.
He's also the owner of Enfinity Entertainment, a catering company that services public and private functions throughout Jacksonville.
"I've always liked food service and making sure guests were happy," he said. "I grew up cooking with my family and I wanted a restaurant that offered the southern cooking I learned at home."
Byers added, "People always ask where I was trained and I learned everything from standing at the foot of my family members and watching them cook."
When it came to choosing the location for his restaurant, Byers said Springfield was a natural choice.
"Springfield has always been a happy place," he said. "The community has been so supportive and it's better than anything I've ever felt before."
After he purchased the storefront, Byers opened up the space to include a dining room, lounge area and bar as well as a small stage for live entertainment."
More: http://jacksonville.com/town/2017-01-18/springfield-resident-bringing-new-eatery-neighborhood
This is great. Is there any indication when it will open?
Update: the owner just installed the kitchen hood.
He's hopeful to be open by the holidays.
Update #2:
Ribbon cutting & soft opening today, grand opening this upcoming Tuesday.
I'll be sure to give it a try very soon.
Likewise.
In my youth, that was a lively location. Along one of the major thoroughfares going south into downtown. There was a drug store at 8th and Pearl, a bakery, Finch Jewelry, a grocery, & just west on Boulevard was St. Luke's hospital. To the east there was Berrier's ice cream and farther east was a hopping 8th and Main with donut shop, restaurants, Rexall drug store, Larry's shoes, Capitol theater, Setzer's grocery, Akra Bros. store, etc. Good luck! I'd love to see the area like it once was.
I plan to try it out later this week. The menu looks good.