Open for Business: Red’s Giant Hamburg

Red’s Giant Hamburg
More than three decades after closing, Red’s Giant Hamburg officially returned Aug. 5 to the Queen City. The new version of the historic burger joint, co-owned by Greg Iott and David Campbell, is open at 2301 W. Sunshine St., adjacent to Furniture Factory Outlet. Estimated cost of construction for the 4,500-square-foot restaurant was $750,000, according to a city building permit. Dock Brothers Construction Co. completed the project, which includes photos celebrating the near 50-year history of the eatery. Red and Julia Chaney operated Red’s Giant Hamburg for 47 years until its December 1984 closure. Its menu features hamburgers referred to as “Redburgs,” fries, chicken and fish sandwiches, coneys and ice cream, among other items. Combo prices at the eatery, which employs 50, range from $6-$11. The new restaurant also recreated the original’s sign, which was built at incorrect proportions, resulting in Hamburg, rather than Hamburger. The original was reputedly the first restaurant with a drive-thru window.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Phone: (417) 865-7337

Hard Knox BBQ LLC
A trio of business partners, including Metropolitan Grill’s Pat Duran, teamed up to open Hard Knox BBQ LLC. The new restaurant at 2937 E. Battlefield Road launched July 30, with Duran, Tyler Thompson and Jeremy Smith as co-owners of the barbecue venture. Startup costs and lease terms were not disclosed. Smith was formerly a co-owner of City Butcher, another Queen City barbecue eatery. Thompson, who also is general manager of Thompson Sales Co., said Hard Knox is in reference to barbecue competitions, as well as his mother’s maiden name. Beef brisket, pork spare ribs, chicken thighs, sausage, burnt ends and sides, including street corn, potato salad and pit beans, are part of the menu. Packaged rubs and spices also are sold on-site. Food is sold beginning at lunchtime until items sell out, Thompson said. The eatery replaced Vespa Kitchen, a concept from Duran that operated for about a year next to Metropolitan Grill before closing in June 2018.
Hours: 11 a.m. until menu items run out, Tuesday through Saturday
Phone: (417) 889-4951

Blue Peaks Industrial LLC
Blue Peaks Industrial LLC, a new welding contractor company specializing in structural steel and boiler repair services, opened Feb. 1 at 2700 N. Eastgate Ave., Ste. 100. The business is co-owned by Hank Seevers, who also serves as president, and Scott Campbell, senior vice president. Seevers, who also owns Springfield-based telemarketing firm Gold Mountain Communications LLC, said he’s new to the welding industry, but added Campbell has been a boilermaker for more than 20 years. Dustin Owens serves as general manager of the structural steel division at the 5,000-square-foot facility. The company is on a five-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Corporate Properties LLC. Seevers estimated startup costs at around $500,000. He said the union-based company has five full-time employees but will hire anywhere from 15-200 workers as projects warrant.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: (417) 456-3155
Web: BluePeaksIndustrial.com