Neighbor's Mill closing Sunshine Street restaurant

Neighbor’s Mill Bakery & Cafe is closing one of its two Springfield restaurants.

The company announced on Facebook that its 1301 E. Sunshine St. restaurant would close Sept. 16. Owners Clif and Lauren Brown are consolidating "staff and resources" into their original Springfield eatery at 1435 E. Independence St., according to the post, which indicates employees can transfer to the south-side restaurant.

"This was not an easy decision for us to make, but we have come to realize that we are a labor-heavy concept with a lot of moving parts, and operating two locations in Springfield was always based on a pre-COVID world," the post signed by the Browns reads. "The past three years have been incredibly challenging, and we are so proud of our staff for the way they have constantly adapted and maintained positive attitudes throughout it all.

"However, due to continued challenges, including labor shortages, rising food costs and supply chain issues, as well as the mental and emotional toll that working in the customer service industry throughout COVID has caused, we have decided it is in our best interest to close our Sunshine Street location."

The Sunshine Street restaurant, across the street from Mercy Hospital Springfield, opened in May 2019 in the Sagamore Hill center, according to past reporting. Lauren Brown, the daughter of founders Mike and Karin Nabors with the original location in Harrison, Arkansas, launched the concept with Clif in the Queen City on Independence Street in January 2016.

Amid a staffing shortage in 2021, Neighbor's Mill reduced hours, according to past reporting. Some employees volunteered for reduced hours, as well, in lieu of furloughs.

Neighbor’s Mill last month was the largest recipient in Greene County's first American Rescue Plan Act funding round for small businesses. It received $26,250 for its Independence Street cafe and $19,250 for the Sunshine Street location, for a total of $45,500, according to past reporting.

Clif Brown said at the time the funding largely would go toward payroll expenses and cost of goods.

Springfield businessperson Lyle Foster, the leader of the recommendation committee for the Greene County ARPA process, could not be reached immediately for comment by deadline on the status of the funds.