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Springfield Inn, which closed last year, is slated to be demolished to make way for the new development.
Courtesy Google Maps
Springfield Inn, which closed last year, is slated to be demolished to make way for the new development.

Whataburger to open north-side Springfield restaurant

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A vacant north-side Springfield property is slated to be demolished to make way for a Whataburger restaurant.

Brad Thessing, developer of the project in partnership with a couple of silent partners, said the property that formerly housed Springfield Inn at Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street will be demolished in three to four weeks. A free-standing Whataburger restaurant is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter at the southwest corner of the intersection, he said.

"It's a good project for the city, for the north side," Thessing said.

Whataburger corporate, based in San Antonio, Texas, signed on as a tenant for a planned 3,750-square-foot building, he said. Another free-standing building will be constructed on the lot, he said, noting talks with another national restaurant are in progress.

Declining to disclose costs, Thessing said the development group purchased the 2355 N. Glenstone Ave. property after Springfield Inn closed at the end of 2021. Naples C Store LLC, registered by Thessing with the Missouri secretary of state, owns the property, according to Greene County public records.

"We had it under agreement for the last six months to phase out the hotel," he said. "We looked at it as a redevelopment opportunity."

Whataburger is coming to a development-heavy area that's home across the street to DoubleTree by Hilton. BigShots Golf launched as a large-scale tourist attraction at the intersection during 2021, and Echelon Coffee LLC and AT&T filled a newly constructed building in front of DoubleTree. Fayetteville, Arkansas-based 7 Brew Coffee made its Queen City debut in December at 2317 N. Glenstone Ave.

Additionally, Thessing said a lot he purchased behind the Kum & Go convenience store at the intersection soon will be home to an oil-change concept called Take 5.

For Whataburger, the Springfield restaurant is at least the third planned in the area. Officials from Ozark and Republic previously disclosed building permits had been filed for Whataburger restaurants in the cities.

Before the former Springfield Inn is demolished, the property will be used as a training site by the Springfield Police Department, Thessing added. The building’s concrete will be ground up to be reused for site work, he said.

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