by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Owners of the Springfield Station Bar & Grill are hoping their new restaurant will fill a void in Jacksonville’s late night food market.
Jim Huntress opened the new restaurant last October with Victor Rodriguez, a former Downtown Ambassador for nonprofit organization Downtown Vision, Inc. Huntress had been at the Main Street location since 2003, when he opened the Main Street Bakery and Deli. About a year ago, he and Rodriguez began renovating the space to turn it into a bar and grill.
The two changed the name to the Springfield Station Bar & Grill because the building used to be part of the gas station that was to the right of the building.
The new restaurant is offering something a little different than most. Starting tomorrow, the restaurant’s Saturday hours will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“We are staying open later for the after-hours crowd because that is starting to happen around here,” said Rodriguez. “We are going to try and find that niche in the market.”
Rodriguez added that when people leave Springfield bars, like the Pearl and Shantytown Pub, or other Downtown night spots, there aren’t many places to go.
“There is a lot of competition for breakfast and lunch,” said Rodriguez. “There really isn’t an after-hours restaurant, and this gives people a place to finish off the night.”
Customers can order breakfast any time of the day. Sandwiches, salads, wings, specialty hot dogs and nachos are just a few of the other menu items. There is also a copper-top bar that was originally in Jacksonville’s first liquor bar. They estimated that it is about 75 to 80 years old. Rodriguez and Huntress polished the bar to get it back to its original color. The Bar & Grill also offers wine and about 20 different types of beer.
Unlike many restaurants, the Bar & Grill is child- and pet-friendly, said Rodriguez.
A chalk board lines one of the walls, so kids can play while parents sit back and enjoy a drink at the bar.
“It (the chalk board) is a revolving art gallery,” said Huntress. “It changes every day.”
He said there are games like checkers and Monopoly for kids, too.
The restaurant is decorated with stained glass by John Pacheco, who restores a lot of stained glass in the Springfield area. Artist Miguel Sanchez’s paintings decorate the walls.
An outdoor seating area with a waterfall and coy pond is located behind the building. There is also a stage for live entertainment.
The restaurant is located at 1544 N. Main St. The sign outside still says Main Street Bakery and Deli, but that will soon be replaced with a new sign.
Hours:
Wednesday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-Midnight
Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m., reopen 9 p.m.-4 a.m.
Sunday Brunch: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Happy Hour: Thursday-Saturday 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday