Top restaurant openings and closings in Metro-East 2025

The curated articles all report on developments in the restaurant industry, including new openings, closures, remodels, and ownership changes. These stories track how businesses respond to customer preferences, market challenges, and operational needs.

Many articles note the arrival of new eateries. One story highlights the upcoming Yummy Bowl in O’Fallon, which will serve dishes inspired by China, Korea, and Japan. Another reports on Tasty Bowl Stirfry & Sushi opening in Fairview Heights, where a robot will help cook meals. New concepts also emerge, such as a frozen cocktail bar opening its first franchise location in the metro-east area.

Some locations close or change hands. The former O’Town Food Hall in O’Fallon will become Yummy Bowl.

Remodels and updates show that existing establishments adapt to market demands.

Some developments focus on combining services or responding to community concerns. A business owner in Fairview Heights changed a proposed project by removing gas pumps and adding a casual dining restaurant after resident input. In Swansea, a former CVS site changes into a gas station with a national chain restaurant inside.

NO. 1: 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

Tasty Bowl Stirfry & Sushi is slated to open later this month at 51 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights. By Jennifer Green

NO. 2: LET A ROBOT COOK YOUR MEAL AT A NEW ASIAN EATERY OPENING IN FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

Owner Sean Lin started in the restaurant industry before he was 10 years old, working every position from dishwasher to executive chef and opening his first restaurant in 2005. | Published May 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

Rendering for the new Salt + Smoke restaurant coming to Edwardsville

NO. 3: POPULAR ST. LOUIS-BASED BBQ JOINT TO OPEN FIRST ILLINOIS RESTAURANT IN METRO-EAST

“This town has such a vibrant food scene and welcoming energy,” said the restaurant’s founder and owner. | Published June 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

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. 4: 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

Yummy Bowl, 1214 Central Park Drive, O’Fallon By Jennifer Green

NO. 5: O’FALLON’S NEW EATERY TO FEATURE FLAVORS, FARE INSPIRED BY CHINA, KOREA & JAPAN

The restaurant is located at the former O’Town Food Hall & Tap House site. | Published July 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green

NO. 6: 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.