The former MarketPlace Grill, 3615 Hammons Blvd., could be reopening soon as a Mexican restaurant. But this won’t be just any Mexican restaurant.
If Whitney VinZant and Corey Gonzalez can turn their vision into reality, Joplin will have a destination restaurant like none other in the market.
The plan is to transform the MarketPlace Grill into Cabo del Sol, which will have fountains, a patio and multiple dining areas. The restaurant will get a major makeover in preparation for a spring opening.
VinZant said: “We have been looking at this site for 2 1/2 years. What we want to do is create a very special restaurant. This will be our first attempt at this concept. There are other examples of what we want to do throughout the Midwest. These are valued-oriented concepts that produce a quality product and are achieving tremendous sales volumes.”
Entrees will start at $8 to $9 and will range up to $24 to $26 for a choice-grade, certified Angus rib-eye. The menu is being created by Guillermo Perez, a chef who resides in Houston, Texas.
The beverage menu will include homemade recipes, draft beer and a tequila bar, which will feature a variety of reserve tequilas that are difficult to find.
VinZant said the project is starting with “a gorgeous building” that will be converted into a Spanish-mission style structure with high-end stone finishes, a large horseshoe bar with a sizable patio on the south side, and several different dining areas inside.
If you’re not sure about the location of the MarketPlace Grill, it’s the empty building at the southeast corner of the Sam’s Club parking lot. It’s directly across from the Residence Inn by Marriott Joplin and the Joplin Holiday Inn.
The MarketPlace Grill, which is relatively large at 8,500 square feet, opened in early 2002 amid much fanfare. It closed after a couple of years.
The good news here is that this new restaurant will create jobs for some of the hundreds of people who have lost their jobs in recent weeks because of restaurant closings in Joplin. Victor Shipley is interviewing people for management positions and soon will be taking applications at the restaurant. About 120 people will be employed.
The VinZant/Edwards Restaurant Group, operator of its own proprietary concepts as well as a licensed franchisee of the Old Chicago and Jimmy’s Egg brands, was founded seven years ago. The group’s nearest location is the Old Chicago in Springfield. It operates in several Midwest states.
Said VinZant: “We want to create a true social environment where people can come to have terrific food or just have a nice place to hang out.”
Wedding season
The wedding season has arrived, and Northpark Mall is gathering some local wedding experts together to help local brides plan the perfect wedding.
A wedding fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the mall. More than 20 vendors will be on hand.
“Brides can find the dress of their dreams, book a reception site and see a photographer’s work all in one day,” said Lori Jones, assistant general manager at Northpark Mall. “This wedding fair offers a fun bridal experience and can save you time and money by meeting multiple vendors at once.”
A bridal fashion show at 2 p.m. will highlight the latest trends in bridal wear, formal wear and floral design. Brides can win prizes, including a $2,000 wedding package with cakes and dresses donated by Country Cakes & Bridal Shoppe. Admission is free.
Another closing
Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe in Northpark Mall can be added to the growing list of restaurants that have closed recently in Joplin.
If you have news about something happening on Range Line Road, dial 417-623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an e-mail to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 417-623-8598.
