Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, Deputy Development Officer Brian Connors, Project Manager Wilson Darbin and city officials joined restaurant Co-Owners and Chefs Ivan Felix and Jose Correa and longtime former owner of local favorite eatery The Big Mamou, Chef Wayne Hooker to help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Mamou Restaurant yesterday afternoon.
The Mamou Restaurant is located at 272 Worthington Street, and yesterday’s grand opening celebration marks the return of a Springfield Cajun Staple. Chef Wayne opened the original Big Mamou Restaurant in Springfield back in the 1990s and his delicious dishes and hospitality became well known and loved. Now, along with Chefs Ivan Felix and Jose Correa the classic Cajun and creole favorites are back, now located in the Springfield Downtown dining district, and Mamou’s is ready to “let the good times roll.”
The restaurant renovation project was assisted by the City of Springfield through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Outdoor Dining grant of $53,332. The ribbon cutting unveiled a beautiful interior, fully rehabilitated restaurant and bar space that spills out into a new outdoor patio facing Stearns Square. The Mamou team are bringing back many of the favorite items from the old Big Mamou.
Mayor Sarno stated, “We all know and love the old Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou Restaurant and are excited to see the return with the new Mamou Restaurant on Worthington Street as our downtown entertainment district continues to see a resurgence. The vibrant new space on 'Restaurant Row’ is warm, inviting, and the food and drinks being served up looked fantastic. So many, including my family and I, are looking forward to dining at the new Mamou! Congratulations to the Mamou team and continued success. God Bless.”
Mayor Sarno also enjoyed stopping by some of Springfield’s public art and murals, and Tower Square Park. Have you seen John Simpson’s mural recreating wall advertising that appears on the historic Driscoll Building on Worthington? Or “The Odyssey” display created by Cooke-Sasseville that is currently in place at Tower Square Park? Mayor Sarno also checked out the area where the Pridelands on Mane Street event series with White Lion Brewing at Tower Square Park will take place. Pridelands kicks off tonight, Wednesday, July 9th with music by the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble with light jazz to pay homage to Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival "JazzFest Week" happening this weekend.
