New restaurants and food halls energize the metro-east dining scene

The curated articles focus on new restaurant ventures opening and changes to dining in the metro-east area. These pieces highlight a period of transition, with some places closing, others introducing new food options, and local entrepreneurs adapting plans or launching new concepts.

A new gas station in Swansea will feature a national chain restaurant inside, along with other amenities. Narwhal’s Crafted, known for frozen cocktails, plans to open its first franchise in Edwardsville with owners who live locally. An old base factory in O’Fallon aims to bring a food hall with seven vendors, including Max and Mugg’s and BEAST Craft BBQ, though the opening faces delays. In Belleville, Hangover Social Restaurant & Bar started serving Jamaican fare at a former restaurant’s location, adding to the area’s selection. These stories show how new openings and updated business models contribute to a changing dining environment across metro-east communities.

Frida’s Cocina is coming soon to 823 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights. By Jennifer Green

NO. 1: THREE NEW RESTAURANTS AND HALLOWEEN STORES ARE CLOSE TO OPENING IN THE METRO EAST

The latest restaurant and business updates from columnist Jennifer Green | Published August 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 2: BUSINESS OWNER ALTERS PLANS FOR PROPOSED FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS DEVELOPMENT. HERE’S WHAT CHANGED

Residents have voiced opposition to the original proposal. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 3: A LONGTIME FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS RESTAURANT ABRUPTLY CLOSES. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

The city’s original restaurant was housed on the ground floor of a Ramada Inn that once stood at the site. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

A Highland company has been awarded a multi-year renovation project at Scott Air Force Base. Korte-River City JV of Highland was the successful bidder on a $113 million contract to renovate Building 1600, which houses the U.S. Air Force Mobility Command Headquarters at the base.

NO. 4: WHAT DO LOOMING FEDERAL JOB CUTS MEAN FOR THE ST. LOUIS AREA’S ECONOMY?

Scott Air Force Base employs roughly 13,000 people — 5,100 of whom are civilians. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Will Bauer

Patio rendering for the Old Base Factory food hall

NO. 5: OLD BASE FACTORY, FEATURING 7 FOOD VENDORS, DELAYS OPENING. HERE’S AN UPDATE

“We want to open as soon as possible and are doing everything we can to move the project along,” said one of the owners. | Published June 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lynn Venhaus

Ashley and Shawn Beach decided more than two years ago they wanted to start their own business. That goal takes shape in October, when they project the opening of Illinois’ first Narwhal’s Crafted Frozen Cocktails in Edwardsville.

NO. 6: BUSINESS SPECIALIZING IN FROZEN COCKTAILS TO OPEN FIRST FRANCHISE IN METRO-EAST

The news came days after Salt + Smoke announced it was coming to a new Edwardsville development. | Published July 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 7: FORMER SWANSEA CVS GETTING MAKEOVER FOR NEW BUSINESS. HERE ARE THE DETAILS

Ongoing activity at a former CVS location at 1803 N. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.