Local restaurant owners Scott and Jamie Shepherd are ready to "pass the torch" and have publicly placed Shep's Southside on the market. The couple opened the local eatery during the summer of 2012.
A decision to sell the restaurant, known for its pretzel buns and Old Munichburg location, came late in 2013. The restaurant has been for sale since November; however, the Shepherds just recently publicized that decision.
"We've been working on it for a few months," Jamie said. The owners have a couple potential offers and are waiting for the right person to come along and take it over.
"We're looking for restaurant people," she said, hoping that whoever takes over will continue to operate the restaurant and help it succeed.
The Shepherds are also owners of The Copper Nut Kettle, a 14-year-old business of selling Bavarian roasted cinnamon nuts at festivals and fairs. They have recently added their famous pretzels and beer cheese to the offerings. The family had an idea of how much time they could spend investing in the restaurant, while subsidizing their other successful business. The parents of four children, two of whom are home-schooled, Jamie said it takes a lot of work to make a restaurant successful.
"If we know we have a good prospect, it's easy to stay open," she said.
Throughout the last few months, the Shepherds have had great days and slow days. The growth in the 100 block of E. Dunklin has helped and also hindered the business, drawing more people to the area, but making parking a challenge. Challenges with staffing during this transition are also prevalent. Jamie said they have been working on a kind of skeleton crew for the last month.
"I want the word out because we are getting really motivated," she said of the hopeful sale.
"We're looking for someone to pass the torch to," Jamie said. "I think they're out there."