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“We’ve got a lot of plans,” said Rigel, a retired teacher who ran Forever Sports for 25 years. “We want to have something people are comfortable with.”
Park Road Tavern offers draft beers, wines and other beverages and several food choices including pizza, subs and other sandwiches. The facility also has pool tables and darts, as well as several televisions showing sports.
The business saw several new customers when it showed the UFC fight featuring Ronda Rousey on Dec. 30.
“Everybody eats out somewhere in Springfield. We have pricing that we think can be competitive with others,” Rigel said.
The building is 15,000 square feet, of which only 4,500 is currently being used and that’s where Rigel said the Tavern will evolve.
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On Friday afternoon, Rigel and business manager Todd Little were putting the finishing touches on a stage for a DJ, karaoke and eventually bands. A dance floor area also will be added.
Rigel looks to re-open the facility’s 400-seat banquet hall as early as May for graduation parties, wedding parties and other events.
Rigel and Little held off any grand openings or announcements, sticking to a page on Facebook and building by word of mouth and the curious for awareness.
Mark Main passed by the Tavern and noticed its sign on his way in and out of Springfield on business and brought his wife Patty in on Friday.
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Having dined at the long-popular Casey’s before it closed, they were impressed with how the space had been opened up. They also enjoy playing pool and dancing, giving the Mains reasons to return.
“We were curious,” Patty Main said. “We like to support local businesses and we’ll be back.”
Dart and pool leagues are beginning at the tavern. It’s also the new home of the Springfield Browns Backers for fans of the Cleveland football team. Little was amused to note the team got its sole win of the season after the meeting.
Other future plans include adding fryers and offering an expanded menu, and possibly reopening one of the meeting rooms.
In particular, Rigel wants to do philanthropic and charitable work, especially to benefit children with the tavern as a place for such activities.
“This is probably my last hurrah,” he said. “We want to build this to fit the community. We want the community to be at home here.”
Park Road Tavern is open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, noon to 1 a.m. Saturdays, noon to 11 p.m. Sundays and is closed Mondays.
For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/Park-Road-Tavern.
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