Sherman restaurant Fire and Ale has announced it will be closing this weekend after 14 years of business.
Zac Copelin, who owns the restaurant along with business partner Justin Misiorek, said that, like many independent restaurants, Fire and Ale has faced significant financial challenges that ultimately made it impossible for the restaurant to continue operations.
“This was not a decision made lightly,” Copelin said in an email to Springfield Business Journal. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to create a place where friends and family could gather, celebrate, and enjoy great food and drinks together. We are deeply grateful to the Sherman community for the support, loyalty and memories shared with us over the years.”
Sunday, Feb. 15, will be the last day of operations for the restaurant, which is located at 135 Illini Blvd.
Copelin and Misiorek purchased Fire and Ale in 2002 from former owners Bill Hahn, Steve Fickas and Calvin Kirk. The restaurant originally was opened in 2012 by Paul Evans, who sold it to Hahn, Fickas and Kirk in 2017.
Fire and Ale served woodfire pizza and “upscale” bar fare along with local craft beer and cocktails. The restaurant announced its upcoming closing in a Facebook post this week, inviting regulars to join them this weekend to share “one last meal, one last drink, and one last toast to the memories we’ve made together.”
Copelin said the decision to permanently close the restaurant was difficult, made after much consideration, but that the Fire and Ale team remains proud of “what we built and the relationships we formed along the way.”
“We want to sincerely thank our employees, vendors and especially our guests who walked through our doors and supported us,” Copelin said. “Sherman has meant the world to us.”