Eatery opens in former Wing Shack

A former Nixa restaurant owner is hosting a grand opening today for Moosehaven Saloon & Grill in the space that had housed Wing Shack at 307 S. National Ave.

Moosehaven owner Michael Bolling - who sold his interest in Nixa establishment Bumsteads last year - said he held a soft opening for his new eatery about two weeks ago.

Bolling said he signed a five-year lease at $2,700 a month for the 1,300-square-foot space from Kirk Heyle of Heyle Realtors & Consulting Services LLC.

The spot became available after the sudden closure of Wing Shack in early December, when its owner, Scott Taylor, closed the restaurant without warning.

"When I heard the story, I had the lease signed with Kirk within a few days," Bolling said, noting he had been eyeing the Springfield market for some time.

Bolling employs 12 at Moosehaven, including one former Wing Shack employee.

The restaurant serves a variety of dishes - including barbecue, burgers, pizza, steaks and pasta - and is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week, according to its Facebook page.