New Ebbets Field owner eyes expansion

Restaurateur Bruce Swisshelm is on a shopping spree.

Swisshelm bought Springfield sports restaurant staple Ebbets Field on Aug. 2 from 10-year owner Lance Reeves, operating under a newly created company named Ebbets Field LLC.

The new company is run by Swisshelm and others, including his son Scott. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Swisshelm said Ebbets Field is a good concept, and he seeks to expand it in the future.

“We’d like to go to other college towns,” he said. “We could never copy Lance but could certainly copy the food and atmosphere. Lance did a heck of a job building up the business.”

Reeves released a statement via e-mail concerning his decision to sell the sports-themed iconic restaurant and bar at 1027 E. Walnut St.

“While I put my all into Ebbets and it’s been an amazing experience, frankly, while cliché, I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse by Swisshelm,” he wrote, adding that he has no immediate business plans.

Reeves called the Swisshelms “Springfield people.”

“One of the key components to negotiations was in keeping the integrity of Ebbets Field, meaning the menu and atmosphere will remain the same,” Reeves wrote.

Employees of Ebbets have been kept on, including Reeves’ girlfriend Becky Barnes as general manager, Swisshelm said.

In a separate move, Swisshelm and partners on July 1 closed the sports restaurant/bar Rivals at 3662 S. Glenstone Ave., but it is unclear if another Ebbets might be moved into that location. Swisshelm said he is deciding what he’ll do with the building and intends to make a move by early September.[[In-content Ad]]