Prima's operating third location at former Ebbets Field

Prima’s Mexican Grill last month opened its third location, filling a vacancy created by the sudden closure of the south-side Ebbets Field restaurant.

Prima’s opened its doors May 15 at the more than 4,000-square-foot space, 3662 S. Glenstone Ave. The eatery joins Prima's locations in Chesterfield Village, 2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., and Ozark, 1769 W. James River Road.

Ebbets Field closed in April 2012 in the wake of bankruptcy filings by Springfield businessman and restaurateur Bruce Swisshelm. The center city Ebbets Field eatery on East Walnut Street remains open under separate ownership.

The new Prima’s employs 40, serving customer favorites such as fajitas and burritos. Manager Brett James, who has five years of experience in the field, said an entree for two costs about $15, while a dinner date runs about $25.

The building has worn many hats in recent years. Along with Prima’s and Ebbets Field, the building has been home to a Churchill Coffee Estate & Cafe and Rivals, a sports bar and restaurant.

“It’s tough to manage a building that big and still produce and have customer satisfaction," James said of the turnover rate at the location, noting the quality of the food and management could spell a game changer.

Prima's owner Martin Hernandez said the building was purchased for an undisclosed amount, with the transaction handled by R.B. Murray Co. He declined to name the seller. The taxable appraised value of the land and property - still listed in the name of one of Swisshelm's companies - is $1.4 million, according to the Greene County assessor's website.[[In-content Ad]]