Restaurant signs on for vacant Panera space

Oklahoma City-based Emerging Brands Inc. plans to open a second Jimmy’s Egg restaurant in Springfield early next year.

The breakfast and lunch cafe would fill the Panera Bread space left vacant at 3837 S. Campbell Ave. Panera Bread franchisee Traditional Bakery Inc. relocated the restaurant in September to 4100 S. Campbell Ave., where franchise owners Jim and Gaynell Magers purchased the former Carlos O’Kelly’s and built a $2 million multitenant retail center.

Dan Calhoun, managing partner for Jimmy’s Egg stores in Springfield and Joplin, said the company plans to open the new restaurant between Feb. 1 and May 1. A general contractor and architect aren’t yet on board, he said.

Declining to disclose lease details with Parkcrest Center owner Kpac Properties, Calhoun said the restaurant would house around 30 tables and employ up to 25.

Jimmy’s Egg parent company Emerging Brands opened its first Springfield store in February 2014 at 3315 E. Battlefield St. The restaurant employs around 25 people.

Calhoun said Jimmy’s Egg opened a Joplin restaurant on Range Line Road in August and a store in Lincoln, Neb., about three weeks ago with plans to launch another restaurant in that market soon. The company also has plans for eateries in Bixby, Okla., and in New York.