Sept. 8 was the first day of business for Lil Willys Smokehouse BBQ, a new venture from Conns Hospitality Group. The restaurant is occupying the former Free Press Coffee location at the corner of South Grand Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, which closed on July 3.
The name Lil Willy refers to the childhood nickname for William Van, the family namesake of Wm. Vans Coffee, also owned by Conns Hospitality Group. The new restaurant will serve coffee until 2 p.m., in addition to breakfast until 11 a.m. and lunch and dinner from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
The adjacent property at 910 South Grand Ave. is also now owned by Conns Hospitality Group. In January, owners Court and Karen Conn announced plans to convert the former Paris Cleaners building to a neighborhood snug pub serving American and European beers.