Sugarfire Smokehouse closes in Springfield

Last edited 2:29 p.m., Aug. 23, 2023

South-side barbecue restaurant Sugarfire Smokehouse has closed.

David Burke, one of the franchisees of the Springfield restaurant at 1730 E. Republic Road, Ste. A, in the Southgate Center, confirmed the closure. Noting the restaurant shuttered last week, Burke said the location would continue to offer catering. Burke declined to give a reason for the closure.

Sugarfire Springfield's Facebook page has been taken offline, and its phone number is no longer in service. Sugarfire's website continues to list the Springfield location.

Burke is one of four franchisees who brought the concept to Springfield, according to past reporting. The 4,300-square-foot, 40-employee eatery opened in December 2019 with a menu featuring ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sausage, turkey, salmon and burgers, along with salads and daily specials.

The Sugarfire Smokehouse concept was started in St. Louis in 2012 by Charlie Downs and Mike Johnson, according to past reporting.