Springfield D&J Cafe Building Up for Auction
The former restaurant site at 915 W. Laurel St. is currently listed for online bidding through November 4.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Following the closure of the D&J Cafe in May 2025, the property at 915 W. Laurel St. in Springfield is now available for purchase via an online auction. Bidding for the site began on October 1.
Why it matters
The auction follows the closure of the long-standing local restaurant after its owner, Lee Rupnik, withdrew from the business. The sale offers a new opportunity for the 3,350-square-foot parcel after operations ceased last year.
The 3,350-square-foot property carries a 2024 assessed value of $79,475. Prospective buyers must provide $10,000 in earnest money to participate in the online auction.
The players
Aumann Auctions
This is an auction house firm responsible for listing and managing the bidding process for the property.
Lee Rupnik
He is the former owner of the D&J Cafe who was arrested in Jefferson County, Kentucky, in May 2024.
The details
The auction, managed by Aumann Auctions, exclusively accepts bids through its online platform. The site was historically significant for the local community, having been operated by the Price family starting in 1974.
Timeline
1974: The Price family began operating the restaurant.
May 2024: Owner Lee Rupnik was arrested in Kentucky.
May 2025: D&J Cafe closed its operations.
October 1, 2026: The online auction for the building began.
November 4, 2026: The auction closes at 6 p.m.
Market Landscape
The auction of the D&J Cafe building marks the final chapter in the closure of a legacy restaurant that had been a staple in Springfield since 1974. This sale highlights the broader trend of independent properties entering the commercial real estate market following sudden business exits.
The building remains off-limits to the public while the auction process is underway. Once the sale concludes in November, the site will transition to new ownership, potentially altering the commercial use of the Laurel Street parcel.
The takeaway
Interested parties should ensure they have the $10,000 earnest money ready to participate in the final stages of the bidding process. The online-only format requires bidders to register through the official auction platform prior to the November 4 deadline.
Further reading
For more information on local business changes, see Springfield Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State Journal-Register.
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