Food truck operators pivot to Thai restaurant

The operators of a Thai food truck in the Fort Leonard Wood area are bringing the concept to Springfield with a planned restaurant opening.

Husband and wife duo Steven and Thip Shutts, who operated Mobile Thai Kitchen in St. Robert for more than two years, are working to open their new venture dubbed Everyday Thai by month’s end. Steven Shutts said he and his family closed the food truck and moved to Springfield to start the brick-and-mortar business.

“We had a very good run. We weren’t leaving that area because of lack of business,” he said, adding the couple continue to own the food truck and may consider launching it in Springfield in the future. “We had a great opportunity to be at the restaurant location that we are in. It’s going to be the best opportunity for us to grow.”

At 2926 S. Campbell Ave. in the Imperial Plaza shopping center, Everyday Thai is taking the place of a Billy Sims BBQ franchise that opened in July 2013. Shutts said he believes the barbecue restaurant closed in the fall.

Steven and Thip Shutts learned of the lease opening when visiting Asian World Market, the Imperial Plaza store where they purchased supplies for Mobile Thai Kitchen. The move to Springfield puts Everyday Thai conveniently near its supplier, and Steven Shutts said the owners also are seeking to capitalize on an area with few Thai food options.

“There’s about three or four that we know of. That’s the problem. Nobody knows of them,” he said. “I hope to gain a lot more visibility.”

TripAdvisor.com lists competitors Rama Thai Cafe, The Wheelhouse, Tong’s Thai, Tasia, Thai Xpress and Thai Pepper.

Shutts said the couple signed a four-year lease for undisclosed terms for 2,800 square feet. Imperial Plaza is owned by Ngo Properties LLC, according to the Greene County assessor’s website.

Before opening, Shutts said renovations are still being completed and the restaurant is awaiting its certificate of occupancy from the city. He declined to disclose the couple’s investment in the restaurant. He’s hoping the restaurant opens by Jan. 24.

The plans for Everyday Thai were first reported by the Springfield News-Leader.