Springfield barbecue staple Pappy's Place takes new ownership - Springfield Daily Citizen

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North Springfield barbecue staple Pappy’s Place, one of Springfield’s oldest running restaurants, has switched ownership.

Susan Rader, who purchased the business with her late-husband and business partner, Dwayne, in 2019, sold Pappy’s Place for $350,000, Rader told the Springfield Daily Citizen Jan. 23. Rader will owner-finance the deal, which includes the business and the main property, located at 943 N. Main Ave.

Rader said she has signed a letter of intent with the purchasers, Landon and Stephanie Campbell. The deal will close on Jan. 25., but the new owners are already making themselves at home at Pappy’s Place, training and getting comfortable with operations.

The past few years have been a whirlwind for Rader. After purchasing Pappy’s in 2019, Susan and Dwayne Rader started on expansion plans which included buying the adjacent building to construct a music venue and English pub, according to prior Springfield Daily Citizen reporting. After Wayne’s sudden and unexpected death in January 2023, Susan Rader listed Pappy’s for sale as the workload was too much for her to keep up with on her own.

Since then, Rader looked for a buyer who would “keep the Pappy’s tradition alive,” she said in prior reporting. Though she had no relations with the Campbells before they purchased Pappy’s, she thinks the pair will make a great fit.

“[Stephanie] likes to cook and [Landon] likes to play music, so they’re a perfect combination for what we do here,” Rader said, speaking of the Campbells. “I 100% support them, because I’m financing it.”

“I’m just simplifying my life and they’re just starting theirs,” Rader said.

Plan to operate Pappy’s as it always has been

Pappy’s on Main Street has been a restaurant since 1926 and has Springfield’s oldest continuous liquor license dating back to 1934. (Photo by Jym Wilson)

The Campbells plan to keep the restaurant operating as is, Landon Campbell said. They are learning the ropes from Rader, who said she is happy to lend a hand for a smooth transition.

“We’re wanting to keep everything basically just the way it is,” Landon Campbell said. “Its background, its history was what we were most interested in.”

The Campbells want to take off where the Raders left, Stephanie Campbell said.

“We get to work together every day, much like Wayne and Susan did,” Campbell said. “I’m looking forward to coming to work and just hanging out everyday.”

Rader still owns the adjacent building to Pappy’s. While no plans have been made, the Campbells would eventually like to purchase that building to expand Pappy’s and possibly add a music venue, Landon Campbell said.

Landon and Stephanie Campbell purchased the northside barbeque staple Pappy’s Place. (Photo By Ryan Collins)

The Raders “had a lot of ambition to do more with the next building over and stuff, and we would like to do that possibly in the future,” Landon Campbell said.

Even after selling Pappy’s Place, Susan Rader has plenty to keep her busy. She owns Rader Manor Bed & Breakfast as well as a number of rental properties, she said.

“I plan on riding some horses and taking care of my rentals,” Rader said. “I’ve been so blessed in my life, everything has happened at the right time.”

Ryan Collins

Ryan Collins is the business and economic development reporter for the Springfield Daily Citizen. Collins graduated from Glendale High School in 2011 before studying journalism and economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He previously worked for Bloomberg News. Contact him at (417) 849-2570 or rcollins@sgfcitizen.org. More by Ryan Collins

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