Iconic restaurant changes hands

Judy Wiley

The former South Prairie Oyster Market has a new name and a new owner.

For 22 years, the distinctive, cabin-like restaurant on Grapevine's Main Street has been the South Prairie Oyster Market, a standalone icon on the east side of the street.

Now it's AJ's on Main, which is kind of a shock until one gets to know the new owner, A.J. Gillinger. Then it's clear the icon hasn't strayed far from its roots.

Gillinger is a retired Grapevine Police Department officer who has known the previous owner since 1998.

After Gillinger retired, he said he went to Afghanistan and returned ready to do something different. He started out helping in the restaurant and finally decided to buy it.

He's adding barbecue to the the menu, but other than that it won't change much, he said.

AJ's on Main is at 651 Main St. in Grapevine.