North Texas Daily

Paul Wedding / Intern Writer

Sweetwater Grill and Tavern has officially reopened its doors to the public, offering a renovated look while still maintaining its unique presence.

“It’s been a cornerstone of downtown Denton for the past 18 years,” said new co-owner Ryann Reid.

The Sweetwater Grill and tavern has an atmosphere unlike most other restaurants in Denton. Customers can walk in and feel right at home in the friendly, intimate atmosphere of the tavern surrounded by old antiques and mirrors. Run out of a building that was originally a built in the late 1800s as a horse stable, it gives a relaxed ambiance.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re dressed up or dressed down, it’s a comfortable place to be,” Reid said.

Sweetwater was originally established in 1996 by Rick Moore, Bob Harmon, and Jimmy Meredith. Sweetwater has run successfully ever since then, but by early 2014, Meredith and his wife, Karen, who were then the sole owners of the grill and tavern, decided to sell the tavern and retire.

Reid and her husband Rick decided to start their new life with an old grill and tavern. Ryann Reid had been working with a Miller beer distributor. Rick Reid already had experience in the restaurant industry. He is the co-owner of both The Garage and RT’s Neighborhood bar.

After purchasing Sweetwater, the couple decided to give it a complete renovation.

“We took everything down to the concrete and had it rebuilt,” Ryann Reid said.

The couple almost completely rebuilt the bar. Sweetwater was provided an entirely new kitchen and plumbing, as well as new, larger restrooms. They also extended the bar in the front to 45 feet long.

During renovations they had a new bar built in the back room, which they call the Walnut Street Annex. This area also includes a stage where the Sweetwater Jazz Quartet plays every Tuesday. They also plan to bring in more live musical guests.

Of course, the food is a highlight for the Sweetwater as well, as nearly everything save for the French fries is made fresh.

Customer Casom Caraway and his friends were blown away with Sweetwater’s food and overall atmosphere.

“It feels like a piece of Denton history,” Caraway said. “If you haven’t been here you haven’t done Denton yet.”

Despite all of the improvements made to Sweetwater, it was still important that some of the old was still there for the couple.

“We made sure to keep the same feel so people will still see the Sweetwater they’ve always loved,” Ryann Reid said.

Featured Image: Owners Ryann, left, and Rick Reid of Sweetwater Grill and Tavern. The bar and grill has reopened after being closed since early 2014. Photo by Byron Thompson – Senior Staff Photographer