Six months after moving to O’Fallon, Swansea Fish Stand suddenly closes shop
After nearly six months operating out of the KC Club & Event Center in O’Fallon, Swansea Fish Stand has suddenly closed.
A Jan. 3 post on the club’s Facebook page stated that the fish stand has shut down operations and is no longer in business, effective immediately.
In a second post on the same day, the KC Club & Event Center thanked Swansea Fish Stand owner Tim Lillis, Deena and his staff for their hard work at the club.
“It’s bittersweet it ended early but we wish you the very best in your retirement,” stated the post.
Bar manager Brad Cason said that the Swansea Fish Stand closed in December for its winter break and that one of the head employees was moving out of state.
He said during that time, the owners decided to retire and close the business.
For now, the hall is not currently serving food, but the bar is still open. The event center is also still booking events.
Cason said they are currently in the process of speaking with other restaurants about taking over the kitchen.
He confirmed that fish will be available for Lent. Starting in February, the center will hold taco and tequila trivia nights on Tuesdays.
The Swansea Fish Stand opened at the KC Club & Event Center in July after moving from its former location at the Swansea Improvement Association.
When asked in July why Lillis decided to move his business, he said, “It was just time to go.” The separation from the Swansea Improvement Association was on good terms, according to Lillis and the Association’s Geoff Schmidt.
The Swansea Improvement Association, located at 216 Service St. in Swansea, is now the home of The B’s Family Kitchen, which opened in December.
Prior to Lillis’ arrival in O’Fallon, the KC Club & Event Center was previously the site of Walton’s Kitchen & Fish Fry.
That operation moved in April 2022 to the Catholic War Veterans Post 370 at 3535 Route 159 between Belleville and Smithton.
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 10:02 AM.
