One of Springfield's favorite places for sugary treats returns to Fairhills Mall

Mel-O-Cream Donuts' pumpkin cake varieties and a spooky box assortment aren’t the only things making a return this Halloween weekend.

The Springfield-based doughnut chain is reopening its Fairhills Mall store this weekend, following a five-month hiatus.

“Our intention is that we’re back for good,” franchise operator Amanda Crossland said of the store at 1953 W. Monroe St.

Crossland attributed the temporary closure in May to building issues, which included a lack of air conditioning. The air conditioning still isn’t fixed, but Crossland said she is hopeful building issues will be addressed in the near future.

Store hours are 5:30 a.m. to noon daily.

A Mel-O-Cream Donuts sign has hung from the Fairhills Mall address since 1975.

The Mel-O-Cream name, however, goes back even further, serving up its deep-fried, sugary confections in Springfield since the 1930s.

The Springfield franchise has four other locations at 3010 S. Sixth St., 217 E. Laurel St., 525 North Grand Ave. E. and 4411 Yucan Drive.

Golf-inspired bar and grill to open

The idea behind Eagle Golf and Grill is to create a space where customers can tee up and fill up at the same place.

“There is a shortage of opportunities for families who want to train off-season,” said Jim Lee, who along with his wife Amber Lee and Illinois College’s head golf coach Josh Edison, is behind the new business planned at 3941 Pintail Drive.

A building permit filed with the city outlines a $125,000 remodel to the former Pickups Plus address to convert the space to a golf training facility, complete with a bar and grill. The facility will have an indoor putting green as well as five tee-free golf simulators.

More: Company that owns a stable of familiar restaurants and franchises enters Springfield market

The menu is getting a master touch with retired restaurateur August Mrozowski of the former downtown hot spot Augie's Front Burner providing some informal consultation work.

“Augie and Sharon are our neighbors,” Lee said. “So they’ve helped, warned us what we’re getting into.

“We aren't butchering game in the basement. But (Augie) has advised on the menu, for sure. Nothing specific from his previous work, but ingredients and vendors will be similar.”

Mrozowski retired in 2020, closing the popular downtown restaurant at 109 S. Fifth St.

Eagle Golf and Grill will feature burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, salads and appetizers. A fall opening is planned.

Amber Lee, who has two decades of experience in the local dining scene, previously worked at D’Arcy's Pint.

Copper Pot Cooking Studio has a new home and a new mission at the local not-for-profit The Outlet. But that doesn’t mean owner Denise Perry has hung up her apron when it comes to instructional cooking classes.

Cooper Pot has new home and added purpose

Copper Pot Cooking Studio relocated to the not-for-profit’s building at 2525 S. 12th Street earlier this month after seven years of stirring the pot in downtown Springfield at 916 W. Laurel St.

“Ever since the pandemic I’ve wanted to offer more classes with equity in mind,” Perry said. “This opportunity came up where I can do my traditional programming, as well as serve some who might not have the means to access my classes before.”

Perry said she is working with participants in The Outlet to teach kitchen life skills. Participants also will earn their food handlers certificate.

The Outlet’s mission is to help young men, aged 8 to 22, develop the skill sets to make responsible life decisions, acquire and maintain meaningful values and explore their gifts and talents.

However, Perry also will continue to offer her popular cooking classes to the public. Currently, there aren’t any public cooking classes listed, but she said a new lineup will be offered in early 2024.

Previous Copper Pot Cooking Studio courses have ranged from gnocchi to French eggs, Spanish cuisine to cookies. Classes include both demonstration-style, as well as hands-on and are geared to all age groups.

Outdoor market to close

Fans of the Old Capitol Farmers Market have one last opportunity Saturday for outdoor shopping before the open-air, summer market migrates to its indoor winter abode at the historic Union Station.

The final outdoor market of the season will be held at the corner of Fourth and Adams streets from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Market organizers are marking the season finale with a scavenger hunt and a special from the Springfield Youth Performance Group.

This is the second year the downtown market has moved seamlessly into its winter home at 500 E. Madison St. without a break in scheduled dates.

The indoor season will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from November through April with the exception of December and January when the market meets only on the third Saturday.

Market dates are Nov. 4 and 18; Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 3 and 17; March 2 and 16; and April 6 and 20.

Fundraiser provides wreaths for veteran cemeteries

More than 24,000 wreaths will be placed on veteran’s graves throughout the U.S. on Dec. 16 thanks to Mission BBQ customers who purchased an American Heroes Cup during the 2022 holiday season.

The chain has begun the same fundraiser for the 2023 season.

The American Heroes Cup Campaign for Wreaths Across America runs through December with all proceeds going toward the not-for-profit’s 2024 season. Wreaths Across America’s logo “Remember. Honor. Teach.” is above the red-ribbon-festooned evergreen wreaths on the large reusable cup.

Each purchase of the $3.99 cup rings up $2 for the not-for-profit. Refills are available for 99 cents on return visits.

Wreaths Across America began in 1992 in Harrington, Maine when the Worcester Wreath Co. wanted to turn a surplus of 5,000 holiday wreaths into a tribute for veterans. The wreaths were placed at Arlington National Cemetery and the not-for-profit’s efforts have expanded over the past 30 years.

Today, the group and its volunteers lay wreaths at more than 1,000 veterans cemeteries in all 50 states.

Mission BBQ is located at 2401 Wabash Ave. on the south side of the White Oaks Mall campus.

Get on the list

Area restaurants serving up special Thanksgiving meals or local businesses willing to help set the table for home-based feasts will be featured in an upcoming A la Carte column. Local caterers, restaurants, and food-based businesses interested in participating should email information to natalie.sjr@gmail.com by Nov. 6.

The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at (217) 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Mel-O-Cream Donuts returns to Fairhills Mall after five-month hiatus