Famous Dave’s closes in south Springfield

SBJ photos by Eric Olson

Signage on the door states the Branson Landing restaurant remains open.

Last edited 12:34 p.m., Jan. 29, 2019

Famous Dave’s is closed after seven years operating on Springfield’s south side.

Springfield Business Journal last night observed a sign on the door indicating the restaurant is closed. SBJ also saw U-Haul moving trucks parked outside, but there were no signs of activity.

The 4406 S. Campbell Ave. barbecue restaurant opened in December 2011 under the Midwest BBQ Ventures South Springfield LLC franchise, owned at the time by Dave Jones, Joe Gira and Mark Coburn, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Multiple recent attempts by SBJ to reach Midwest BBQ Ventures and corporate officials with Famous Dave’s were unsuccessful. Last week, a general manager who answered the phone at the Springfield restaurant declined to comment.

Signage outside the restaurant states the Famous Dave’s location at the Branson Landing remains open and that online ordering for catering in Springfield is available through the Branson restaurant, which is operated by Midwest BBQ Ventures. Famous Dave’s website no longer lists the Springfield restaurant.

The property is available for lease via Steve Reith of Battlecreek Properties Inc., according to a listing at Loopnet.com. Reached this morning, Reith said he would forward a request for comment to Jones, co-owner of Midwest BBQ Ventures. The listing states 6,100 square feet on the first floor is available, with an 11,739-square-foot gross leasable area. EWP LLC is listed as the building owner via Greene County assessor records.

Minnetonka, Minnesota-based Famous Dave’s website lists over 130 restaurants, with the sole Missouri location in Branson. It also operates a location in Kansas City, Kansas.