19-year-old opens restaurant in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Since she was a child, Odette Yobal has dreamed of running her own business. Now, at age 19, that dream has come true.

Harvest Kitchen and Bar had its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 22nd. For Yobal, its a chance to achieve her dreams and fill a gap in the Springfield restaurant business.

"I noticed that Springfield just doesn't have this type of restaurant in the city," said Yobal. "I told my parents about the idea, how I wanted it to look, the dishes, and they supported it and they were like, yeah, it sounds great."

Harvest Kitchen and Bar has two menus, one with breakfast and lunch options and another for dinner. The dinner option is available after 2 pm on Mondays through Saturdays. Yobal describes the menu as many traditional American dishes, as well as some French favorites.

"We have our American classics, which are pancakes, omelets and others," said Yobal. "We have some French dishes. We have croque madame, monte cristo, we also have this combination that's called croffle, and it's a croissant shaped like a waffle. And everyone loves that, it is so good."

Yobal says when people find out she is the owner and that she is only 19 years old, they are very supportive. She especially likes talking to young girls about the restaurant so they feel like they can achieve their dreams too.

While Yobal focused on the menu and providing delicious foods, she also prioritized the décor in the restaurant. She wants people to feel calm and enjoy the aesthetic of the building.

For more information on Harvest Kitchen and Bar, check out their website. The restaurant is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, their hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is located at 4241 Conestoga Drive in Springfield.