The revitalization of downtown Chandler continues with the debut of a new dining and social spot, George & Gather, slated to open its doors in January at the site of a former auto repair shop located at 336 S. Washington St. According to ABC15, the expansive 7,700-square-foot space will house not just a restaurant and bar, but also a market area.
George & Gather’s culinary offerings promise to cater to the health-conscious crowd, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no seed oils and a focus on organic, locally-sourced ingredients; this includes options like carrot cake pancakes, pastrami sandwiches, and braised short rib, as discerned from the ABC15. The establishment aims to become an "all-day hangout" where patrons can enjoy a full-service meal, sip on a drink from the bar, get work done, or engage in outdoor games while listening to good music, and in what seems like a bid to cover all bases the proprietors have also incorporated a market component where customers can grab meals to go, peruse a retail wine wall, and buy local merchandise.
AZ Big Media reports that the theme of the restaurant, inspired by The Great Gatsby, echoes throughout the interior design featuring Art Deco influences like walnut woods, stylized tile-work, and brass fixtures, deliberately crafted to weave a tapestry of luxury and nostalgia from a bygone era into the contemporary dining scene of Chandler.
Owned by Amber and Mike Kovarik, Chandler residents and entrepreneurs with background in real estate and food service, George & Gather emerges from their vision to create a vibrant community center that offers more than just a meal - boasting gourmet burgers, house-baked pastries, and sourdough pizzas, a heritage apparent from a 130-year-old starter. "Food is my love language and I’m so excited to bring a vibey hangout spot serving food made with clean ingredients to the city I’ve lived and worked in for almost 20 years," Amber Kovarik shared with AZ Big Media, highlighting her and her husband's effort in transforming what was once Doug’s Radiator & Muffler into a dazzling community jewel.
Furthermore, George & Gather will enchant coffee aficionados with specialty drinks sweetened by refined sugar-free homemade syrups, alongside a menu of seasonal craft cocktails and mocktails available from its versatile indoor-outdoor bar. With an emphasis on creating a space that is both welcoming and versatile, it stands to become a noteworthy addition to downtown Chandler's burgeoning food scene and community social spots.
