River Hills to get new life as Main Street Grill

PARK HILLS — Fans of the former River Hills Restaurant in Park Hills will be glad to hear East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) is planning a new restaurant in the building in the city’s downtown area.

EMAA is partnering with the Omega Group Consulting team to open a casual dining restaurant and catering business called the Main Street Grill. Opening of the new restaurant is planned in May. The catering side is ready to take orders, said Keri McCrorey, community services director for EMAA.

“It’s wonderful to have someone pick up the mission where it left off,” she said. “This is a great example of community partnerships that can bring needed jobs and businesses to the Mineral Area.”

McCrorey led the River Hills Restaurant project, which hired and trained lower income workers.

“We’re partnering together to pick up where River Hills left off,” McCrorey said. “They will run the restaurant, and they have agreed to hire and train lower-income individuals in the area.”

According to Kevin Russell, one of the partners, the restaurant will have a variety of services.

“I think people will be surprised to see all we offer,” he said.

The group is organizing right now, and has not finalized the menu,” McCrorey said. The full service restaurant will open for lunch and dinner and will serve specialty coffees and pastries for breakfast, as did River Hills.

The facility includes a commercial kitchen that will still be available for rent at a low cost for community members to rent commercial kitchen time and space for their own food or hospitality business.

EMAA will announce employment opportunities and the application process in the next few weeks, McCrorey said.

To order catering, call 573-431-6246. Additional information will be provided once the opening date is determined.

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.