Open for Business: Great Escape Beer Works

Great Escape Beer Works
After making its Springfield debut in late 2018, Great Escape Beer Works LLC relocated this month to 6021 W. U.S. Highway 60 in Republic. June 6 was the soft opening for the brewery’s new location, which occupies an 11,000-square-foot building that includes a taproom, offices and a production facility. Jake Duensing, who co-owns the venture with his wife, Jen, declined to disclose the company’s investment in the move, noting Nesbitt Construction Inc. was general contractor on the project designed by Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective. Construction began in April 2024 at the former Burk Bridge Co. property on the north side of Highway 60, south of the James River Freeway interchange. Great Escape owns the 6.3-acre property and the two buildings on-site. The brewery on May 22 exited its prior home at the Quarry Town development in Galloway Village at 4022 S. Lone Pine Ave. Aside from beer on tap, wine and cocktails, Great Escape’s food menu includes pizza. Other features include a mezzanine area and outdoor beer garden.
Phone: 417-824-4043
Web: GreatEscapeBeerWorks.com

The Wheelhouse
Following an ownership change last year, The Wheelhouse restaurant moved downtown May 15 from the Vib hotel, its home since 2018. Lijah Sparlin, who owns the business with wife Madison and brother Logan, said they signed a five-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Nick Sibley for the eatery’s new space at 307 S. Jefferson Ave. Sparlin also declined to disclose relocation and renovation costs for the 1,800-square-foot facility previously occupied by Prairie Pie, which relocated. Sparlin said the square footage in the lobby of Vib at 1845 E. Sunshine St. was much too big for the 19-employee venture, adding he knew downtown would be a perfect fit for the restaurant, which serves dishes such as Japanese curry and carne asada. The Sparlin family in 2024 bought The Wheelhouse from Zach and Melissa Smallwood, who founded it in 2012. The Wheelhouse began as a food truck before expanding to its brick-and-mortar space in the Vib.
Phone: 417-848-3888
Web: WheelhouseFood.com

Social BTB
A sports bar concept that launched in Joplin nearly a decade ago debuted a second location with the June 11 soft opening of Social BTB in Nixa. Petros and Jacque Haldoupis co-own the 4,000-square-foot Nixa restaurant and two-story 101 S. Main St. building in which it’s housed. The five-employee, fast-casual eatery has counter service and a full bar, including 16 beer taps. The menu features several hamburgers, including a vegetarian option, along with sandwiches, hand-breaded chicken tenders, salads and appetizers, such as fried cheese curds. Prices range $6-$11. Petros Haldoupis said he got the blessing from his longtime friend, George Michalopoulos, to open a sister location of Social BTB in Nixa. Michalopoulos opened the venture in Joplin around eight years ago, Haldoupis said. He added it’s not a franchise but offers the same menu as the Joplin restaurant. Startup costs were around $35,000, Haldoupis said, adding he and his wife purchased the Main Street building in March from Mark and Pamela Anderson for $849,000.
Phone: 417-714-4059
Email: 1899social@gmail.com