Natalie Morris| Special to the State Journal-Register
Construction on The Feast Buffet is well underway, but the business concept just got a little larger.
Steve Zhao, managing partner for MacArthur Boulevard Place LLC, which is behind the construction at 3101 S. MacArthur Blvd., said a full arcade will be added, in addition to the all-you-can-eat buffet.
“We were getting a lot of phone calls from other groups wanting to rent space to do something similar,” Zhao said of the newly christened The Feast Buffet and Funkiddo. “We thought, why not do it ourselves? Kind of a Dave & Buster's (concept).”
Dave & Buster's is a Dallas-based chain that combines a full-service restaurant, bar and arcade, known as the “Million Dollar Midway.”
Zhao said the arcade will have more than 60 games, ranging from classic video games to virtual reality.
Zhao, who also owns two local fast casual establishments, Hibachi Madness and Bowl Plus, first unveiled plans for The Feast Buffet last fall after purchasing the 1.2-acre vacant lot just south of the former Show-Me’s Sports Bar & Grill. The project entails adding an additional 14,500 square feet to the existing 4,000-square-foot building.
The buffet menu will include a variety of Asian cuisines, as well as meat carving stations. Bottled beer will be sold.
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Paperwork was filed with the city this spring, expanding the original building permit to include an arcade.
The entire operation is on track to open this fall.
The Feast Buffet and Funkiddo is the latest entry combining food with a side order of fun.
Pizza Ranch added a Fun Zone Arcade to the south side eatery this spring. That came on the heels of Malibu Jack’s opening in White Oaks Mall last fall. The indoor theme park fills the former Bergner’s footprint with a bowling alley, go-kart track, mini golf, laser tag, arcade and kids’ play area, as well as dining options.
Coffee shop under new ownership
New owners have taken command at Yellow Bird Coffee House.
But the year-old coffee shop at 1001 N. First St. is still marching to the same cadence, said Nicole Watts, who purchased the business with partner Barb Binkley.
“I was already a patron of Yellow Bird and a fan of what (founders) Mike and Kelly have created here,” Watts said. “There was nothing I wanted to change.
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“I love the coffee, the community, the hominess. You walk in and just feel the community.”
Yellow Bird Coffee House, named after a popular military marching cadence, is known for its scratch-made cinnamon rolls, scones and quiche sold by the slice or whole pie.
Watts said they have kept the same menu and staff. Operating hours are 7 a.m. to noon weekdays. Occasional Saturday hours will be added. Check the cafe’s social media for weekend availability.
The business also can be booked for private parties.
Husband-wife team Mike and Kelly Donaldson, who had 48-years military service combined, opened Yellow Bird in February 2023 after a year-long renovation of the historic Naramore building that originally housed a grocery store.
Roving bakery
Bridgit Williams has sold her scratch-made baked goods through word-of-mouth and social media for the past year. Now the Pawnee businesswoman is taking her business on the road.
Blessings & More Bakery food truck began offering regular hours this week parked outside Cinric Painting at 1110 Carroll St. in Pawnee. The food truck will be there from 3 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The roving bakery also is scheduled to make an appearance in downtown Springfield for the Springfield Art Association’s Paint the Street fundraiser June 29.
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Baked goods rotate daily but feature a variety of brownies, blondies, cookies and cheesecake treats. Drink options include coffees, lemonade and iced tea.
The business phone is 608-618-4673. Ten percent of all sales will be donated to a charity of the month. The June charity is the not-for-profit Children International.
Upcoming cooking class
Up your oyster game with a cooking class at Robert’s Seafood Market June 22.
Participants will learn a variety of ways to prepare oysters, as well as sample selections. Varieties include raw and breaded, Bloody Mary oyster shots, oysters Rockefeller and char-broiled oysters.
Cost is $75. Wine and beer can be purchased at an additional cost. Participants also get a 10 percent discount on all non-sale items purchased during the class.
The class will be held at the 1615 W. Jefferson St. market from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Reserve a spot online at shop.robertsseafoodmarket.com.
Editor's note: The cooking class at Robert's Seafood Market has been sold out.
The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 217-737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.
