Answer Man: What are the plans for Houlihan's on Republic Road? One of our favorite places.
— Douglas Willson of Springfield
When the building comes back to life, Douglas, it will not be a Houlihan's Restaurant and Bar.
Tim O'Reilly, CEO of O'Reilly Hospitality Management, told me the following June 20:
“That project is on hold right now. We're waiting to get the Moxy open, focusing all of our efforts on that hotel. Then, we'll direct our attention to re-branding and placing a new concept at the old Houlihan's building. So that's where we are. Within a couple of months, we'll be ready to share quite a bit.”
The Moxy, located at 430 South Avenue, is a partnership between O’Reilly Hospitality Management and Marriott International, Inc. The eight-story, 52,000-square-foot boutique hotel will have 98 rooms plus hospitality features.
The Houlihan's at 2110 E. Republic Road closed in late December/early January.
It had been in operation for 12 years at Farmers Park.
The Houlihan’s on 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., at the DoubleTree Hotel, remains open. It is owned and operated by franchisee O’Reilly Hospitality, as was the one on Republic Road.
This is Answer Man column No. 80.
