Price Cutter brings Clary on board

James Clary has a new venture on his plate.

The fine-dining connoisseur says he has been hired by Price Cutter as the Springfield-based grocery store's culinary director. The store isn't ready to divulge details about his new role, but Clary says he'll be raising the bar on all of Price Cutter's perishable foods, from the deli counter to the produce department.

"I absolutely love it, I'll tell you that," Clary said.

Price Cutter's 3260 E. Battlefield Road store is serving as the prototype for any changes he makes. Price Cutter President and CEO Erick Taylor couldn't be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, the future of Clary's namesake - Clary's restaurant - is unknown.

The local landmark spent 18 years quietly hidden in an East Sunshine Street shopping center before Clary moved it to Battlefield Marketplace in 2007.

The new spot proved to be too large and too far from its southeast Springfield clientele, and Clary closed it last summer. At the time, he planned to reopen in the Habersham Interiors building on East Sunshine, but he said that location fell through because of lack of parking. He's been scouring that side of town for another site ever since.

"If and when we find the right location, then we'll look at (reopening) at that point," Clary said.

"It's certainly not off the table, but it is on hold until something pops."[[In-content Ad]]