Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood to close after 30 years

The dining and restaurant community will bid farewell to a downtown institution when Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood turns off the lights Jan. 30 after 30 years in business.

Citing opportunities to focus on expansion and franchising, co-owner Patricia Shannon Van Matre attributed the three-decade run to hospitality. “It’s the people in a company that make a legacy,” said Shannon Van Matre. “The legacy of Mike Shannon’s is due to the hospitality with each other and to the customer. It’s about coming in every day wanting to bring the best to ourselves and our customers.”

Mike Shannon’s Grill restaurants in Edwardsville and at Lambert Airport will remain open and the Midwest region could see more locations. “We are moving forward with discussions and looking at different franchising locations and opportunities,” said Shannon Van Matre.

Upon announcing the closure, Shannon Van Matre reached out to 25 local restaurateurs to find new employment for staff. “They all responded,” said Shannon Van Matre. “As much competition as there is, the sense of community is there as well. It’s about taking care of one of their own.”

Mike Shannon’s Steak and Seafood will be open for lunch, dinner and cocktails for the next two weeks.

-photo by Carmen Troesser