Chipotle to add new Springfield restaurant

Newport Beach, California-based restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill has growth plans in the Queen City.

Company spokesperson Annie Gradinger confirmed a new store is coming to Springfield.

"We are currently scheduled to open a new location in Springfield sometime next winter," Gradinger said via email, declining to disclose further details at this time.

A building permit on file with the city of Springfield points to planned demolition work at a former Lucy's Chinese Food building at 2456 E. Sunshine St. to make way for a new Chipotle restaurant. The permit lists the primary contact as Overland Park, Kansas-based Dungan Design Group, whose website shows a portfolio that includes Chipotle restaurants.

Signage posted to the window of the Lucy's building indicates the restaurant closed Dec. 11 after ownership had a building purchase offer "that we could not refuse."

"Throughout the years, we have had many off-market offers on our East Sunshine Lucy's building. We recently had one that we could not refuse," the signage reads, noting Lucy's continues to operate a restaurant apiece in Springfield, Ozark and Rogersville.

Delta Development 2 LLC purchased the property on Dec. 26 from the Gregoroski family that operates the Lucy's chain, according to a warranty deed filed with the Greene County recorder's office. A deed of trust points to a note amount of nearly $2.9 million related to the purchase between Delta Development 2 LLC and Hawthorn Bank.

The Missouri secretary of state filing for Delta Development 2 shows the LLC was formed in November by Brett Roubal. The businessperson also was listed as the organizer of Delta Development LLC, an entity that last year applied for a Whataburger restaurant in Branson, according to past reporting.

Roubal said via email that developer Brad Thessing of Thessing Commercial Properties LLC owns the LLCs. Thessing could not be reached for comment by deadline.

The Springfield Daily Citizen was first to report on the new Chipotle restaurant.