Business Spotlight: Business transforms to meet crowd's needs

By day, it's a haven for pizza aficionados and businesspeople who are seeking refuge from their offices. At night, this downtown business transforms itself again this time into a family restaurant and pub. Around 10 p.m. another metamorphosis occurs when the late night crowd arrives to listen to live music.

The South Avenue Pizza Co. and The Bar Next Door takes on several different personalities during the course of a day. Owners Chris Cessna, his wife Jennifer Price-Cessna and Jim Lack said that's part of their business' charm.

"We're not trendy," said Jennifer Price-Cessna. "We're an every-person restaurant and bar."

Pizza and beer lovers have been coming to this combination restaurant and bar since the business first opened in 1990. Pizza lovers tend to patronize the South Avenue Pizza Co. at lunch when the restaurant has its all-you-can-eat pizza and salad buffet, which contains a wide selection of stone-hearth fired pizzas. At dinner, however, patrons' tastes run the gamut.

"Most people know us for our pizza, but our menu actually is pretty diverse," said Lack, who serves as the chef. "We serve appetizers, soups and salads, hot and cold sandwiches, pasta and, of course, pizza. One of our more popular items is the spinach-artichoke dip."

Former employees

Both of the Cessnas and Lack worked at the South Avenue Pizza Co. and The Bar Next Door for several years before they purchased the business in 1999. Since that time, the three have made a number of changes.

Lack has created some new seasonal entrees and added several appetizers to the menu. In addition, a children's menu will be added in June in an effort to attract more family diners, said Jennifer Price-Cessna.

Meanwhile, Chris Cessna said he's been working hard to book a wide variety of local and national bands, which take the stage at The Bar Next Door Tuesday through Saturday nights.

"We've had all kinds of bands play here Speak Easy, the Domino Kings, The Schwag you name it," said Chris Cessna. "We even had Nellie Furtado sing on our stage once when a local radio station did a promotion here."

Although a brick wall partially separates the South Avenue Pizza Co. from The Bar Next Door, the restaurant and bar operate as one business. Each section, however, has its own distinct flavor.

Eclectic setting

The restaurant is filled with historic photos, including one that shows former President Harry Truman taking a walking tour of downtown Springfield. Wooden floors, exposed brick walls and a tin ceiling also add to the restaurant's charm.

The Bar Next Door is a bit more rustic and eclectic. Just behind the bar is an old Frisco Transportation Co. sign. Hanging on the opposite wall are vintage posters and several paintings, some of which were rendered by local artists. In the back of the bar, just to the left of the stage, is a large, colorful mural, which also was painted by a local artist.

Currently, 23 part-time and two full-time employees work at South Avenue Pizza Co. and The Bar Next Door. Still, the Cessnas and Lack said they work long hours because the South Avenue Pizza Co. and The Bar Next Door keep different hours.

Both are open six days a week.

"We believe in hands-on management," said Jennifer Price-Cessna. "We try to work it so one of us is always here when we're open."

Future designs

Still, the three said they truly enjoy owning and operating their own business, and they're ready to take things to the next level. This summer, they plan to launch "Movie Night" at The Bar Next Door, which will allow patrons to take in a movie while having dinner. The trio also is planning to expand the restaurant by offering delivery service in the local area.

Currently, the Cessnas and Lack are making plans to participate in the Greater Ozarks Blues Fest, which will be held Sept. 6-8 in downtown Springfield. Both events are being organized and sponsored by Downtown Dining and Entertainment Commission.

"A lot of changes are being made downtown," said Jennifer Price-Cessna. "Jordan Valley Ice Park, the new baseball stadium and Founder's Park will draw more people to this area, and we want to capture our share of the business."