Shrimp shack concept to close

After eight years serving traditional Louisiana fare in Springfield, Shrimp and Bayou Classics owner Chris Crow said he is closing the restaurant Oct. 20.

He said it’s bittersweet.

“I worked so hard to get this thing going,” Crow said this morning. “I can’t stand the winters here. I need to go back to Louisiana.”

But for the restaurant’s followers, pushing 5,300 on Facebook, Crow said he hopes this isn’t the end for the eatery. He’s put the concept, similar to a food truck, up for sale at roughly $15,000. Crow said he’s had some serious interest, but no buyers.

The business operates at 3245 W. Republic Road out of what Crow calls a “shrimp shack,” serving gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya and po’ boys.

“It scares people because it is pure Louisiana,” he said with a laugh. “But I just had to get them here once and they’re hooked.”

If a buyer is secured, Crow would recommend the new owner move to a brick-and-mortar location to keep up with the demand and grow the business. He estimates with a physical change, sales could double to roughly $500,000 a year.

“It is a little gold mine for someone who knows what they’re doing,” he said. “The hardest thing with the restaurant is building the clientele. That’s already there.”

Crow said his land lease is up in November, and if he doesn’t have a buyer by then, he’ll auction off equipment next month. Crow said he’d offer his services as a seafood buyer to the new owners. Currently, he drives to Louisiana every two weeks to source his ingredients.

According to Greene County assessor records, the property was purchased in December 2018 by Copley Holdings LLC with a listed note amount of $225,250. Missouri secretary of state records show the owner of the LLC as Richard James Copley. Copley Holdings officials declined to disclose details of the purchase.