Garrettsville – When Zeppe’s closed its doors and pulled out of the community, it seemed to many that Garrettsville was doomed to have an empty building on Main Street indefinitely. Restaurateurs Sean and Sondra Varner saw something different; the opportunity to breathe new life into an older structure and create a unique dining experience for residents and visitors to the area.
“When we set out to create [Two Travelers Tavern] we wanted to make sure we were making something different from Sean’s Pub, and Slim & Jumbos” said Sean. Two Travelers Tavern will be a new environment than what has been seen in the area. “When we built Slim’s and Sean’s we were 27 years old; now that we’re in our 40s, we’re building the kind of subdued atmosphere we want to enjoy now.”
Two Travelers Tavern has been designed from the ground up by the Varners to offer a fresh welcoming environment. Seating about 34 patrons at a time (with additional seating in the warmer months on the enclosed patio), the Tavern offers a cozy upscale dining experience without feeling pretentious in experience or price.
The tavern will specialize in whiskey-based drinks and will be the spot, locally, to give many types of whiskey, from lower to higher end a try. Not a whiskey drinker? No problem, Two Travelers will also carry a large assortment of craft beers.
Walking into the Two Travelers Tavern is like stepping into a whiskey barrel. From the dark walnut stained walls, and custom basket-weave bar wall designed by Josh Davies (comprised of seven barrels of Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels) to the exposed speed tile and rich blue ceiling— the Varners attention to detail makes the tavern a cozy place to share a bite with friends, try a new drink, or make a date for brunch (on Saturdays and Sundays). The dining space is anchored by a custom hot rolled steel bartop designed locally by Darren Macek. Faced with brick veneer the bar is the focal point of the tavern. A centerpiece designed by Eric Miller completes the whiskey barrel wall.
Much of the work inside Two Travelers was completed by local vendors and artisans, and that’s no coincidence. The Varners sought out locals, where possible, because they wanted to work with people who would “share [the Varner’s] pride in what they were building in the community.” Whether you’re looking at Darren Macek’s hotrolled steel bar, Eric Miller’s handcrafted back bar piece, the beautifully refinished interior aided by Paul Miller, or even the new windows from AGS, Garrettsville pride runs throughout the new restaurant.
If there’s one thing that will help Two Travelers stand out in the community, and likely the region, it will be the menu. Unlike most restaurants the Two Travelers will have no firm menu, instead it will feature dishes inspired by the Varners’ love of travel. “The whole point to the Two Travelers is that we travel around and we do things, and see things then bring them back to the tavern’s kitchen” says Sondra. “One week we may be serving lobster rolls similar to the ones we had in Boston, the next week we might have shrimp and grits” says Sean. The exciting thing is “the flexibility to cook without sticking to Irish or bar food.” One thing’s for sure, tacos are bound to appear on the menu.
Since acquiring the property in June, 2017 the Varners have been working toward opening day. “We’re taking our time to make sure everything is right.” says Sondra. The Tavern boasts a brand-new kitchen that will also provide service to Slim & Jumbo’s — alleviating some of the stress on the kitchen staff at Sean’s Pub, and allowing them to focus on the Irish fare. The Varners anticipate a spring opening for their new venue.
What’s next for the Varners? They’re currently talking to the other restaurants and bars on Main Street to organize an ‘entertainment district’ of sorts to plan events that would help bring people to town — imagine something like a blues festival in September.
