SPRINGFIELD — A local restaurant owner saved his young business from closure with one fateful social media post.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, Poppy’s Diner has been open at 920 Selma Road in Springfield for two months
TRENDING STORIES:
- 5 juveniles arrested after allegedly breaking into cars, running from officers
- Police investigating after 2 people found dead in hot tub
- Family mourning death of 14-year-old boy they say was bullied at school
After the grand opening on March 14 didn’t bring in as much traffic as anticipated, Poppy’s Diner owner Steve Elliott said he thought he’d have to shut the business down.
“Usually, around town near the restaurants, when they open, they’ll get a big rush. That didn’t happen for us,” Elliott said.
Elliott said he opened the restaurant during the typical slow season. When business wasn’t picking up, Elliott said he resorted to social media.
“We started at a slow time, and I posted, ‘It’s looking like we may have to close with business,’” Elliott said.
The post was made as part of the Clark County Food Fiends page and has exploded with more than a hundred comments and shares.
Elliott said it only took two days for him to see the payoff in the restaurant.
“It’s exciting for that to happen over a post that little old me made,” Elliott said.
Before Poppy’s Diner had a restaurant in Springfield, Elliott said they served the community for five years from a tent and then from a food truck.
Elliott said his favorite part of having the restaurant now is connecting with his customers face to face.
If the increase in customer traffic keeps up, Elliott said he will be able to stay open and keep his Springfield customers fed.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
