'So long for now': Popular BBQ restaurant closes
LI’L WILLY’S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ has shut its doors – the second CONN HOSPITALITY GROUP establishment to close in the past 12 months.
And like its sister business – WM VAN’S COFFEE HOUSE – a version of Li’l Willy’s is expected to eventually be reborn at Court and Karen Conn’s latest historic renovation project – Vinegar Hill Mall.
“While we are saying goodbye, it is only a ‘so long for now’ because we will see you soon,” read the post at Conn Hospitality Group’s website about Li’l Willy’s closing at 916 South Grand Ave. W. “This closure will allow us to consolidate efforts on revitalizing Vinegar Hill Mall . . . .”
Jay Shanle – corporate administrator for the Springfield-based hospitality group – said a late summer/early fall opening is planned for the reimagined barbecue business.
“Li’l Willy’s is growing up into a full-service, Southern-style restaurant,” Shanle said, adding a name for the new restaurant has yet to be finalized.
Shanle said Conn Hospitality Group will open the Vinegar Hill Mall businesses in phases. The front runner will be a British-themed pub, TRISH AND MARY’S PUB. Wm. Van’s is scheduled to follow the barbecue restaurant, he said.
Building permits have been filed with the city to begin interior renovations on Vinegar Hill Mall. The building at 107 W. Cook St. has sat mostly vacant since the majority of its shops and restaurants closed in or before 2016.
SHEPARDO’S ITALIAN VILLA closed in 2016, while neighboring eatery, the HOLY LAND DINER closed shop the prior year.
The sprawling red brick building just one block from the Illinois State Capitol was constructed in 1908 to house the expanding Edwards & Chapman Laundry. But for the past several decades it has been carved into an assortment of restaurants, bars, retail and office space.
Wm. Van’s Coffee House poured its last cup at 503 S. Seventh St. in April 2022 after operating for eight years in the former Maisenbacher House. Isaac Lindsey – the original owner of the 1850s era Italianate – built six blocks from the building’s current site with the aid of a $650 loan from Abraham Lincoln. The historic structure was moved to its current address to save the building from being raised to make way for Springfield Clinic’s parking lot.
The Conns have operated 7TH STREET CIDERY from the historic house since last fall.
No word on what the next act might be for the South Grand Avenue property that until March 31 housed Li’l Willy’s. Conn Hospitality Group usually operates its eateries from historic buildings it owns. But the group leased the renovated 1930s era filling station on South Grand Avenue in 2020.
The BROADGAUGE’s Sunday brunch buffet has switched to an a la carte format.
The Petersburg restaurant will still have all the favorites like chicken and waffles, breakfast ponyshoes and the brunch burger, but no longer on an all-you-can-eat, belt-busting spread.
The a la carte brunch menu is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. Reservations and walk-ins accepted. To reserve a seat, call 217-386-5669 or email broadgauge.com/reservations.
The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closing, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: 'So long for now': Popular BBQ restaurant closes
