On Sunday, Nov. 12, Jacob’s Well closed, leaving customers unsure if the restaurant will reopen in the future. Jacob’s Well offered a variety of seating options from tables to booths, to the front counter where customers could eat their food all while being able to watch baristas make signature drinks. Emma Barkley
Emma Barkley
Lantern Staff
Jacob’s Well, located on 139 N. Main St. in El Dorado, officially closed on Sunday, Nov. 12 because of financial issues. Jacob’s Well was founded in 2005 by Jeff and Lori Miller and was in business for about 12 years. The name was borrowed from the famous Well at Sychar, a story from the Bible when Jesus stopped to rest and get a refreshment. He then ended up offering a drink to a Samaritan woman he also met there.
Jacob’s Well was a small, local cafe that had about 10 to 15 tables, and people could also order take out if they were on the go. The restaurant served sandwiches and coffee for several years and recently started serving brick-oven pizza. There were many positive comments about the food and the atmosphere of Jacob’s well.
“I truly enjoyed Jacob’s Well… through three different proprietors,” Associate Vice President of Academics Meg McGranaghan said. “Great soups, salads and sandwiches… I loved the atmosphere and the ALWAYS polite and kind service I received. They will be missed.”
The Well exchanged hands over the years. The Millers started the business and made Jacob’s Well more of a Christian related business. In July 2009, Luke and Savannah Beal took over the business, improving the seating and also adding the brick oven pizza. In October of 2011 Tyler and Molly Brickley took over The Well and created a positive ambience. Brian and Stephanie Boswell are the current owners of Jacob’s Well. They took over the manager position in January 2017 and were managers for a little under a year before going out of business.
Many customers are not taking the news very well about the closing. El Dorado patrons have enjoyed the restaurant and will miss how local it was to get a good meal or a nice hot cup of coffee.
“I loved it!” Director of Library Services Micaela Ayers said. “So sad to hear it’s closing. A bright spot in El Dorado food and comfort scene. Can’t someone buy it and keep it going?”
Contact was attempted with the current owner, the Boswells; however, they did not respond by the time of our publication deadline.
