Craft Chophouse, located at 210 S. Buchanan St., in Edwardsville, Ill., changed its name to 1818 Chophouse Oct. 1, as first reported by the Post-Dispatch’s Ian Froeb.
Co-owner Megan Pashea stated that she could not discuss the reason for the name change by phone, but did say she and co-owners John Pashea and Adam Washburn chose the new name to celebrate the restaurant’s one year anniversary. “We opened on Sept. 18, and it just seemed fitting for a new name,” Pashea said. The name also pays tribute to local history; Edwardsville became a city in 1818, the year Illinois was officially recognized as a state. “It’s the same owner, same food, same service, same place, just a different name.”
So far, Pashea said the transition from Craft to 1818 has been smooth; many customers have scarcely noticed the switch. “A lot of people in the community call us Chophouse anyway,” she said. The restaurant’s website and social media reflect the new moniker, and Pashea said the building will soon sport new signage.
This article appears in October 2013.