For the first time since 2009, a NPD Group survey reported a growth in the number of independent restaurant.
The NPD Group, a major marketing research organization, recently released its Spring 2012 ReCount, NPD'S twice-annual census of commercial restaurant locations across the United States.
For the first time since 2009, that survey reported a growth in the number of independent restaurant. Nearly 1000 new locations had opened in the previous six months, bringing the number of independents nationwide to 320,193.
The growth in restaurant openings nationally mirrors ongoing small but consistent increases in both overall consumer spending at restaurants and number of restaurant visits.
Locally, we've been seeing a similar noteworthy increase in restaurants arriving on the scene over the last few months, including such high profile debuts as Kaptain Jimmy's in Agawam, Max Burger in Longmeadow, the Farm Table in Bernardston, 30Boltwood in Amherst, and Backyard Bar and Grill in Enfield.
Other restaurants owners have taken the plunge and remodeled or expanded, showing that they, too, are confident that the overall economic situation will continue to improve.
Despite lingering doubts about the recovery, it's a good time to create an independent restaurant -- great locations are available, landlords are willing to help with favorable terms, and consumers have shown a new willingness to go out of their way to support local businesses.
Greater Springfield's newest restaurant is slated to premiere on September 24, when Plan B Burger Bar opens in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame complex on West Columbus Avenue.
Plan B is an upscale burger operation created by Hartford-based Local 8s Restaurant Holdings. The concept features American craft beers, bourbons, and burgers made from fresh, never frozen, and humanely produced beef.
Besides burgers, Plan B serves a variety of appetizers, salads, and entrees including lobster sliders, beef wellington bites, portabella "fries," mac & cheese, buffalo shrimp, and horseradish salmon.
Plan B also specializes in a variety of desserts including a homemade chocolate cake filled with peanut butter ganache that it calls the "FunniBone."
The Hall of Fame space that Plan B will occupy has been completely redone in an elegant brassiere-style motif with lots of brick, copper, and wood.
Aiming to attract beer and bourbon connoisseurs, Plan B takes special care to select and train its bar staff. Those "beer sommeliers" work with customers by making recommendations and letting patrons sample brands and styles they've not experienced before. The restaurant's telephone number is (413) 285-8296.