The Ozarks to get another chicken spot; businesses announce moves
This week in Springfield-area restaurant news: Two businesses announce their intent to move, a familyfriendly spot for drinks and snacks is on its way and another chicken franchise is coming to Springfield.
Ice cream and waffle business to leave Springfield
Swirly’s Ice Cream & Waffles will continue to operate — just not in Springfield. Former owners Jack and Kenzie Powderly shared on Facebook March 23 that they had sold the business and it will now operate out of Houston, Missouri.
“A huge thanks to our loyal customers who supported us over the past two years,” the Powderlys said in the Facebook post. They had announced their intent to sell the business in late January due to health problems and a second child.
Any customers with unused gift cards are encouraged to reach out to the Powderlys for a refund.
El Cafecito owners plan to open family-friendly spot for snacks, drinks
Owners Shanie and Cristhian Valdez are opening up another endeavor down the street from El Cafecito. El Escondite, 2528 S. Campbell Ave., is set for a grand opening on Cinco de Mayo, May 5.
The restaurant, which means “The Hiding Place,” will serve snacks and drinks. Shanie Valdez is hoping she can make this space a welcoming one for parents and children, alike.
“Our vision for the place is familyfriendly environment,” Shanie Valdez said. “What we really like to do is find places where we can take the kids and enjoy the night. Like a lot of the local breweries, you can take the kids with you and they have games, so you can relax and have a snack and have a drink.”
El Escondite will feature a “fun bar menu” with cocktails served in glasses, pineapples and coconuts, as well as different Mexican snacks, crepes and seafood dishes like ceviche and aguachile.
There will be also be plenty to do: El Escondite will have a activities like ping pong, foosball, darts, video games, board games and an area for younger children where they can play games and color.
Another chicken franchise to open in Springfield by end of 2024
Chick N Max, a fast-casual franchise that calls itself “the Home of the Better Chicken Sandwich,” will be coming to Christian and Greene counties. The restaurant specializes in chicken wings, sandwiches and fried chicken tenders.
Jason Kruse, who owns and operates six Subway restaurants in the area, expects to have the first of three Chick N Max locations open and operating by the end of the year.
“Chick N Max has carved out a unique niche in a saturated segment and created the ‘Home of the Better Chicken Sandwich’ by creating a lineup of chef-crafted sandwiches with a global array of flavors,” said Kruse in a press release.
Chick N Max was founded in 2017.
Smoothie, acai bowl spot is leaving Nixa food hall
Abby’s Acai Co., 203 E. Mt. Vernon St. in Nixa, announced that April 26 will be its last day at 14 Mill Market.
According to a Facebook post, the smoothie and acai bowl business will operate exclusively from its food truck at Cherry and Pickwick streets.
Owner Abby Casiday said that the move is in order to pursue her “passion and goal of starting a private practice as a counselor.”
Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
Michael Jackson’s children make rare public appearance together
Michael Jackson’s three children – Prince, Paris and Bigi Jackson – made a rare joint public appearance this week to honor their late father.
The King of Pop’s children stepped out Wednesday night to attend a red carpet event for the Tony-winning “MJ: The Musical,” which debuted on Broadway in 2022 and recently opened in London’s West End.
Prince, 27, wore a black suit with a wine-colored dress shirt while younger sister Paris Jackson, 25, paired a long-sleeved burnt orange dress with matching shoes and a glittery clutch. Bigi Jackson, 22, kept it simple with a black suit and white dress shirt that was unbuttoned at the top.
Though it’s not often the Jackson children attend events together, Paris and Prince Jackson also attended the musical’s premiere on Broadway in 2022. They also attended the Tony Awards later that year to present the cast’s performance during the ceremony.
The play offers “a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status” and takes place at a Los Angeles rehearsal studio in 1992, before Jackson launched his “Dangerous” tour in Germany.