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Owners Steve and Katherine Davison posted a goodbye note June 10 on Facebook.

"We are originally from Ogallala, where we have owned and operated a successful steakhouse (Golden Spur Steakhouse since 1997) and we, as a couple, felt that we needed to head back to our roots and focus on the Spur and be close to family."

The Davisons and daughter, Marci, opened Brix & Stone in September 2010.

Marci also runs Carmela's Bistro and Wine Bar, which has been in operation since June 2008 at 70th Street and Pioneers Boulevard. Marci didn’t return a message left for her.

On the Facebook note, the Davisons didn't say who bought them out, but noted "we feel the new owners will love Brix & Stone as much as did. Our hearts are heavy today as we pass along the keys to new visions and new dreams."

The Davisons said Carmela's will honor Brix & Stone gift cards and promotions at the restaurant.

"We have truly loved residing and running a business in your amazing city," the Davisons wrote. "We have met many great supportive people along the way and many became our friends, and we are truly grateful."

Crawford's opens on O Street

Crawford's, a new sports bar and grill, will open Thursday in downtown Lincoln.

Located at 1320 O St., the restaurant takes over the spots occupied by Compadres and South Campus, although general manager Tony Hill said operations will use just a small portion of the L-shaped location to start.

Hill said the bar is owned by the people behind the N-Zone, Single Barrel, The Bar and Langdon's Bar & Grill in Gretna.

It's named for Frank Crawford, Nebraska's first official football coach. Having coached the 1893 and 1894 seasons, Crawford was hired for a $500 salary and led the then Bugeaters to their first major victory, a 20-18 win against Iowa in Omaha. 

Crawford's menu will feature burgers, footlong hotdogs and appetizers, with an emphasis on lunch, Hill said.

"We want to get people in and out fast for lunch," he said.

Hy-Vee's 'cafes' and 'grilles'

I received a handful of emails from readers after my June 12 review about Hy-Vee’s Market Cafe, saying I had failed to mention Hy-Vee’s restaurant in Kearney. Yes, I did -- on purpose.

Hy-Vee has two full-service restaurant concepts going: Market Cafe and Market Grille. The grocery chain operates Market Cafes in Omaha, Lincoln and Plattsmouth.

Kearney has the state’s one-and-only Market Grille, which features a larger, more extensive menu than the Market Cafe.

Hot dog-eating at Piedmont

Here’s a reminder about Saturday’s hot dog-eating contest. The event, sponsored by Major League Eating, begins at noon Saturday at the Shoppes at Piedmont, 1265 S. Cotner.

It’s a qualifier for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, with the top male and female finishers getting a chance to compete against last year’s national champions Joey Chestnut (an eight-time winner) and Miki Sudo.

The Lincoln qualifier also will include a celebrity competition with participants, including former Husker Ron Kellogg III, raising money for the People’s City Mission. For more information or to donate, go to the .