A “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity led the two to purchase and revive the classic venue near campus, which closed in 2024.

What’s your Ebbets story? Did you watch a game, have a burger, meet up with friends? It’s likely you did. After all, many generations of Bears have fond memories of Ebbets Field.

More than 40 years ago, the restaurant and pub opened just steps from Springfield’s campus. It closed in January 2024.

Sydney and Jerrad Davis had plenty of college outings there — but one stands out.

“I came here with my friends before we went on our first date,” Sydney said. “Jerrad picked me up here.”

Sydney graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in entertainment management. Jerrad graduated with a master’s in project management in 2021. He also played lacrosse and coached the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.

In 2025, the same year they were married, the historic house on Walnut Street went up for sale. The Davises knew they had to revive the place that had once been a favorite hangout.

“When we heard it closed, we were really sad. I also worked here in college,” Sydney said. “When we found out it was for sale, we were living in St. Louis and had just gotten married. We had always talked about opening a bar and restaurant. It was like this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

They reopened Ebbets in March 2026. They’ve brought back long-time menu favorites — including the pizza many patrons missed — and filled the space with Mo State athletics memorabilia.

“We spent a lot of time looking through old photos to see if we could find those items on Facebook Marketplace or at thrift stores,” Jerrad said. “We have a few original items we put back in their old spots.”

The original Ebbets Field was opened by Nick Russo, a fellow Bear. Russo started Ebbets in 1981 where the Bear Park South parking garage now stands.

He eventually moved it to historic Walnut Street in 1994, and it has been there since through different owners.

There was a special connection between the Davises and Russo, too.

“Nick was my high school English teacher,” Sydney said. “A couple months after we got the place, we reached out to him. We spent time listening to his fun stories. He gave us a lot of advice, and we showed him the little details like his original sign from the old location hanging out back.”

The Davises are embracing the history of the restaurant, while looking forward to more memories to come.

“We love hearing all the stories from alumni parents now bringing their students for orientation at Missouri State,” Jerrad said.

And as another school year started this August, Sydney said, “now current students can come in and experience it for themselves.”