Clary to close Fish, reopen Clary’s

The fine-dining restaurant closed earlier this month under owners Dave and Lynee Fender. Now, its former owner, James Clary, plans to breathe new life into it at a new location.

Clary will close Fish, a seafood restaurant he owns at 900 E. Battlefield, on Saturday, and reopen the building later this summer as Clary’s.

“This is not about Fish not doing well,” Clary said. “This is about me opening a concept that’s close to my heart.”

Clary started Fish in January 2005 with co-owner Carenna Butterbaugh, while he continued to operate the 18-year-old Clary’s at 3014 E. Sunshine St. Last August, he sold Clary’s to the Fenders to devote his attention to Fish, where food quality and service had begun falling to the wayside, he said. He bought Butterbaugh's ownership in Fish earlier this year.

When the Fenders closed the Springfield mainstay because of declining business, Clary jumped at the chance to reunite with his namesake.

“Clary’s is what I do – it’s what I know,” Clary said, adding that Fish was never a venture that fulfilled him.

After he closes Fish, Clary said he would spend about $60,000 renovating the interior to give it a warmer, cozier décor, with heavy drapes, darker colors and new upholstery. He plans to hold a VIP grand opening in late July, with proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, and could open for business in early August.

To avoid the same fate as the Fenders, Clary said he will offer some lower price points on the menu and introduce new elements, including live jazz, cooking demonstrations, an emphasis on catering and possibly a Sunday brunch buffet.

Dave Fender could not be reached for comment.

Clary said he’ll consider later whether to sell the Fish concept that he says could have done better in another location, such as Tulsa, Okla., or St. Louis.

See SBJ’s June 18 issue for more on James Clary’s restaurant plans.[[In-content Ad]]