Smith’s Restaurant plans return to Springfield

Photo courtesy Google Maps

Renovation work is underway for Smith’s Restaurant on South Campbell Avenue.

A three-location restaurant company is taking another chance on Springfield.

Smith’s Restaurant, located in Bolivar, Clinton and Collins, is planning a new restaurant at 2808 S. Campbell Ave. in Springfield, where Kum & Go previously operated, according to an August Facebook post.

Smith’s Restaurant previously had a presence in Springfield at the high-turnover 935 N. Glenstone Ave. building that’s now home to Doe’s Eat Place, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Smith’s Restaurant owner Mark Smith was unavailable for comment this morning about the plans, though they were separately confirmed by Joan Hand of Hand Architecture LLC. Hand said Smith hired her to conduct the permitting process to convert the property from its gas station use.

“They’re keeping the building. They’re gutting everything on the inside,” Hand said. “They’re reusing some of the freezers, but that’s pretty much about it.”

A Kum & Go at Campbell Avenue and Sunset Street replaced the smaller convenience store located two blocks south, where work is underway on the Smith’s Restaurant project. Hand was unsure when the restaurant would open.

The former Kum & Go is a free-standing building in The Village retail development parking lot. The renovation project has an estimated cost of $120,000, according to a city building permit.

Smith’s Restuarant bills itself as a family-style restaurant with menu items that include a pork tenderloin sandwich, steaks, burgers and barbecue, according to its Facebook page and website.