Studebaker's on 41 to open in former Collier's location

Studebaker’s Family Restaurant will soon be opening a new location in Springfield, widening their ability to serve their home-cooked favorites.

Owners Curt and Missy Studebaker opened their first restaurant in downtown New Carlisle at 416 N. Main St., in 2005, followed by an Urbana location – known as The Hill – at 4679 West state Route 36, in 2015.

And now, they’ve purchased the location of the former Collier’s Family Restaurant along state Route 41 and have plans to open Studebaker's County Restaurant on 41 in early 2021.  

Curt Studebaker says they had initially visited the former Collier’s location – which closed in April – to meet with owner Connie Collier, about possibly purchasing some products she had left over that were the same as what he used at Studebaker's.

“The more we talked to her, the more we realized what they had done there and the success they had had there, and it felt like it might be the best opportunity,” he says. “There are just few and far between independent, family-owned restaurants out there anymore, and we’d like to give the community a place where they can get a home-cooked meal or some pie – just cooking food like our parents and grandparents used to make.”

Studebaker says they believe the customer base from Collier’s – a favorite in the area since it opened in 2003 – is still strong, and they’ve already heard good feedback and excitement about the new Studebaker’s location opening.

While the main Studebaker’s menu will carry over to the new Route 41 location, Studebaker says they’re also looking at adding a couple of Collier’s familiar favorites to keep the tradition of the former restaurant alive.

Another part of Collier’s that customers can expect to see is familiar faces of former Collier’s employees. Studebaker says more than 70 percent of the Collier’s staff are interested in coming to work at Studebaker’s on 41 when it opens.

“With so many negative things coming out of what we’ve all been going through in 2020, we’re hoping for this to be something bright and positive to start out the new year in 2021,” Studebaker says.