KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Ponderosa Steakhouse in Kirksville will soon have a new look and name. Colton’s Steakhouse and Grill will move into the Ponderosa after an extensive remodel takes place this summer. Ponderosa will close after Father’s Day and reopen 90 days later as Colton’s.
Managers say a couple years ago the parent corporation declared bankruptcy so they decided to not renew their franchise with Ponderosa.
Four years ago business partners transformed a Ponderosa in Jefferson City into a Colton’s. They say that experience will only help them with future transitions.
“You’re next ones only as good as your last one and since we’ve built the new one in Sedalia, Missouri a few years ago and we just opened up a brand new one in Farmington, Missouri so this will be our fourth entity that we’re doing for Colton’s Steakhouse,” said Managing Partner Ed Featherston.
Featherston says Colton's is unique to Kirksville and provides an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant in town.
“We'll give you a bucket of peanuts, you'll be able to throw the shells on the floor, country music playin, flat screen TVs on the wall, all of the beef is aged 21 days, it's all choice or better, everything’s cut in-house by a butcher,” said Featherston.
Featherston says unlike Ponderosa there is no buffet at Colton’s.
Featherston says 95% of the remodeling and construction will be done through local contractors. He says they will even have an outdoor patio once the renovation is complete.
As for the current employees, Featherston says some of them will go to Bellacino’s where he is also a manager and the rest will have to reapply if they want to work at Colton’s.
Colton's Steakhouse Website
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