Ark. restaurant to open Springfield cafe next month

Harrison, Ark.-based Neighbor's Mill Bakery & Cafe is working to open its second restaurant, and first in Missouri, next month in Springfield.

Mike Nabors, who opened the original restaurant in 2000, said his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Clif Brown, are targeting a Jan. 19 launch for the Queen City cafe at the $2 million Paige Reese Plaza development, 1435 E. Independence St.

The roughly 5,500-square-foot restaurant would be part of the three-unit retail development owned by Paula Cook Daugherty, vice president of media development for Loren Cook Co., via Paige Reese LLC.

Nabors said the Springfield restaurant would be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Similar to Panera Bread, Neighbor's Mill specializes in hand-made breads, cold and grilled sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, and coffee and espresso drinks. Nabors said the Springfield restaurant would use a gristmill to grind grains into flour, such as one used at the Arkansas restaurant.

“We are a completely self-sufficient bakery,” Lauren Brown said. “Everything is baked that morning.”

Brown, who declined to disclose the investment in the Springfield restaurant, said the cafe would initially employ around 50.

Brown, who lived in New York City for seven years with her husband before moving to Springfield, said the Queen City is an optimal pilot town for the restaurant concept.

“People enjoy eating out here,” she said, noting plans to open additional restaurants three to five years down the road, particularly in northwest Arkansas. “Springfield is the only priority right now.”

Ann’s Performing Arts Centre relocated to Paige Reese Plaza earlier this month from 1440 E. Lark St.