Aviary Cafe opens south-side event space

The private equity firm owner of Aviary Cafe and Creperie LLC opened a south-side event center in space previously occupied by Dining by Design.

Westward Alliance LLC, which serves as Aviary’s holding company, launched Aviary Event Center and Bakery on July 16. The first event - held that evening - was an awards banquet by Pregnancy Care Center, said Jeff Anderson, chief operating officer for Aviary Shares LLC, the entity that controls restaurant operations.

“We had so many people that wanted to hold events at our restaurant. We didn’t have the space for it,” said Anderson, who started as general manger in January and was promoted last month. “We felt there was a need for a space that could serve Aviary food in a bigger area.”

Westward Alliance purchased the 4,000-square-foot building, 5021 S. National Ave., in early May for an undisclosed amount and spent $200,000 in renovations for wood floors, new decor and kitchen updates. Westward Alliance, which owns Aviary Cafe restaurants in Farmers Park and downtown Springfield, also moved the south-side restaurant’s bakery to the event space, Anderson said.

He said Dining by Design operated at the center until the purchase. The building also previously housed The Pie Box, which closed.

The banquet room can hold up to 99 people and serves Aviary dishes, including crepes, pastries and panini sandwiches.