Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats owners to take over Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood

The beloved 77-year-old diner will reopen Nov. 1

The owners of Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats have confirmed they have purchased Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood, securing the future of the beloved diner. Spencer’s Grill has been closed since Alex and Hannah Campbell put the restaurant up for sale in mid-June, but new owners Michael and Meredith Shadwick and Michael Kleckner will reopen Spencer’s on Nov. 1 to continue the Kirkwood landmark’s 77-year stay at 223 S. Kirkwood Road. 

A statement posted on Spencer’s Grill’s Instagram feed on Aug. 10 announced the news publicly with a message from Michael and Meredith Shadwick and Michael Kleckner. 

Breaking the news of the purchase, Feast also reported that former Mainlander sous chef Max Bredenkoetter would join the Spencer’s Grill team as executive chef. 

The purchase of Spencer’s Grill extends the Shadwicks’ footprint in the Kirkwood community. Honey Bee’s started out as a stall and food truck at Kirkwood and Tower Grove farmers markets in 2020, before the Shadwicks opened Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats at 200 N. Kirkwood Road in October 2022. 

“Operating a Kirkwood institution that has been serving the community since 1947 is an honor and responsibility we do not take lightly,” the statement began. “Yes, it feels great to give life to Spencer’s Grill. But what really gets us up in the morning is knowing that memories will be made inside these walls again. Little ones will smile when they see their pancakes, grandparents will find that sense of steadiness when their hot coffee arrives, and transplants will enjoy the nostalgia and familiarity when they return to their hometown and dine with us.”

The statement referred to the new owners’ purchase of Spencer’s as a “’meant to be’ story for another day,” and assured Spencer’s customers that their priorities would be preserving the diner’s charm while guaranteeing quality food, consistency and excellent service. “You will notice improvements, while still enjoying that same comforting feeling when you walk in,” the statement said.