Metropolitan Grill, Nearly Famous find new owners

Coco sold The Metropolitan Grill, 2931 E. Battlefield Road, to former employee Pat Duran in January, and Powell sold Nearly Famous Deli & Pasta House, 1828 S. Kentwood Ave., to Nancy Miller on Feb. 3.

Coco is moving to Eugene, Ore., to start another restaurant. Powell plans to remain on staff part time with Nearly Famous – specifically in catering, Web site development and advertising.

“We had been considering what we were going to do for an exit strategy as we started getting closer to (age) 60,” said Powell, 56. “This came up, and it was the perfect solution.”

Miller bought the 30-year-old Nearly Famous, located behind the Plaza Tower, after spending the last 12 years in human resources at Springfield stainless-steel manufacturer Pure Flo Precision. Miller lost her Pure Flo job Dec. 29 due to the plant’s closing.

She said she’s wanted to own a restaurant since working as a youth in restaurants owned by her mother and grandfather in St. Joseph.

“I think this is the perfect fit for me,” Miller said.

Coco said he’s confident he’ll be successful in opening a new restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. He also said he’s sure The Metropolitan Grill will be well taken care of by new owner Duran.

“I wouldn’t just give the Metro to anybody,” Coco said. “That was my baby.”

Click here for the full story from Feb. 20.