Metro East restaurant permanently closes, citing pandemic-related struggles

By Clarissa Cowley – KSDK
Updated

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An O'Fallon, Illinois, restaurant permanently closed Tuesday after its owner said in a social media post that it "cannot continue operating financially."

An O'Fallon, Illinois, restaurant permanently closed Tuesday after its owner said in a social media post that it "cannot continue operating financially."

In a post on O'Town Food Hall and Tap House's Facebook page Tuesday, owner Stephen Edwards said the restaurant has struggled with sales and staffing since the Covid-19 pandemic and could not remain open, saying, "... our often-extreme efforts have only realized minimal gains, if any."

otown food hall and tap house google maps 042324 ksdk
O'Town Food Hall and Tap House in O'Fallon, Illinois.
Google Maps | KSDK

The restaurant, at 1214 Central Park Drive in O'Fallon, Illinois, had touted a menu with 15 different food concepts, 32 beers on tap, private banquet rooms and "Bella," a robot server.

Edwards said the restaurant contacted guests who made group reservations and ensured they knew about the immediate closure. He also told his staff Tuesday morning.

"We are grateful for the boundless opportunities available in the current market for job seeks and wish them the best of luck," he said in the post.

"We close this restaurant with a heavy heart, but we are grateful for the business and the memories," he said.


This report originally appeared on KSDK. The St. Louis Business Journal contributed to this report.

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