Catering company had help after fire

Paddy’s Pizza still looking for temporary home; McMurray’s future uncertain.


Continuing coverage

The Springfield News-Sun first broke the news of a fire this month at McMurray’s on our website, and we are committed to following the story of the three businesses housed in the building.

The catering business displaced by the June 7 fire that destroyed the building it shared with Paddy’s Backdoor Pizza and McMurray’s Irish Pub quickly was back in full operation, thanks to the support of the community, its manager said.

Meanwhile, Kevin O’Neill, owner of the 122 E. College Ave. building, said Monday he’s still looking for a temporary location for the Paddy’s Pizza operation. But O’Neill declined to talk about the future of his McMurray’s business.

Carmae Catering returned to full operation the weekend after the fire with the donated use of Catholic Central’s school kitchen, a refrigerated truck from Gordon Foods and wedding reception dinners prepared by Courtyard by Marriott, according to Office and Catering Manager Liz Mitchell.

It’s now operating out of the Bushnell Banquet Center, space offered by Bushnell Building owner Jim Lagos.

O’Neill hopes to find a temporary location for the Paddy’s Pizza operation.

“We don’t know any place where we can go as of yet,” he said.

While he did not want to talk about the future of McMurray’s, he had said at the scene the day of the fire that he planned to rebuild.

O’Neill had operated McMurray’s since 1992, and the former O’Brien’s Restaurant had been there since the late 1940s.

Mitchell thanked community members for their support of the catering business.

“We’re full business and doing everything we did before,” Mitchell said.

“There were so many people that called and offered their services, their places. I’m proud to live in Springfield,” she said.

About the Author