Restaurateur's latest concept opens after delays

Photo courtesy Bourbon & Beale

More than 40 employees staff Bourbon & Beale.

Restaurateur Michael Felts' latest concept is scheduled to open tomorrow near Battlefield Mall after years of delays.

Bourbon & Beale, a restaurant that combines barbecue and Cajun flavors, employs more than 40 people at 2639 S. Glenstone Ave., Felts said.

Felts took his management team to restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, to learn recipes ahead of the opening in Springfield. Bourbon & Beale combines the names of famous streets in those cities.

"We got everything as authentic as possible from all my favorite restaurants," Felts said. "It was a blast."

At the site of the 4,900-square-foot former Newk’s Eatery, Bourbon & Beale's menu includes po'boy sandwiches, oysters, gator tails, burgers and ribs, according to its Facebook page.

Felts declined to disclose his investment in bringing the restaurant concept to fruition.

He had initially targeted a summer 2018 opening, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting, but has cited permitting and construction delays. Additionally, Felts this morning said a prior management hire did not work out but he’s since installed new leaders.

Felts said openings are nearing for two of his other concepts in Springfield: a second Hot Cluckers restaurant and Taco Habitat.

Signage should be installed this week at the former Famous Dave’s site at 4406 S. Campbell Ave. for the second Hot Cluckers, Felts said.

"It just basically needed some fresh paint," he said of the building.

The Hot Cluckers restaurant should open by the end of July, he said. His first Hot Cluckers on East Sunshine Street launched in late 2018.

For Taco Habitat, a roof leak is delaying the opening, he said. An opening date has not been selected, Felts said, as crews determine the source of the leak at the 3325 S. Glenstone Ave. restaurant made out of shipping containers. He said the restaurant would launch once the leak is plugged. A Taco Habitat also is in the works in Branson.