Take a look at this old Stockyards hayloft, soon to become a new restaurant and bar

For a Stockyards restaurant, why not try a hayloft?

That’s where the new Provender Hall will open this spring.

A hayloft in the old Mule Alley stallion barn will become the newest restaurant for chefs Marcus Paslay and Scott Lewis, after six years of success at Clay Pigeon and its newer Italian cousin, Piattello.

“The Stockyards just needed a good American grill with a smokehouse,” he said, positioning Provender squarely as a smoked-chicken-and-chicken-fried-steak counterpart to neighbor Tim Love’s Lonesome Dove and less expensive Stockyards steakhouses.

Provender will open this spring at 122 E. Exchange Ave., between Riscky’s Steakhouse and the new Shake Shack in the remodeled former Stockyards horse and mule barns.

Love is also expected to open a new Stockyards restaurant to go with his Lonesome Dove, Ático, Love Shack and White Elephant Saloon.

Paslay figures business must be good.

“I think Tim can attest to the amount of growth there is here, otherwise he wouldn’t be focusing here,” Paslay said.

Provender Hall will have a J&R smoker and wood-burning grill for dishes such as smoked chicken or a smoked pork chop.

But it’ll also serve shrimp-and-grits, burgers and a general American menu.

Clay Pigeon does a little of that, and so well that Paslay’s original restaurant is known for its burgers and steaks.

“Obviously, the Stockyards draws lots of tourists, but this is a big opportunity to get local people coming back,” he said.

The new Hotel Drover coming nearby also will promote dining, along with the family restaurants that draw diners to the Stockyards for weekday and weekend lunch..

Provender opens into a small downstairs bar and kitchen area, but the main dining room and bar are upstairs with catwalks overlooking the scene below.

Among Paslay’s antique shopping finds for the decor: An old neon “Cold Beer” sign.

Watch for Provender Hall in spring across from Cowtown Coliseum; provenderhall.com.

Clay PIgeon is open for dinner weeknights and Saturdays at 2731 White Settlement Road; claypigeonfd.com. Piattello is open for dinner nightly and brunch Sundays at 5924 Convair Drive; piatelloitaliankitchen.com.