After nearly three decades as a Park Cities fixture, Sevy's Grill will serve its last meal at its Preston/Sherry location next Saturday, June 27. Owner Jim "Sevy" Severson says a landlord-driven rent hike that would more than double his lease made it impossible to stay put. The closure affects roughly 50 employees and has already sparked a community fundraising push to help staff land on their feet.
Landlord's Rent Hike Ended Renewal Talks
Severson says lease-renewal talks collapsed after his landlord proposed a roughly 130% rent increase, and months of back-and-forth never produced a deal. "I don't want to say goodbye," he told The Dallas Morning News, describing the decision as less a choice and more a financial corner he could not escape.
A Neighborhood Anchor Since 1997
Sevy's opened on May 8, 1997, growing into a Park Cities staple known for its wood-fired grill and reliable weekday crowd. The owners often point to their unusually stable crew as the soul of the place: eight employees have been there since day one, and many in the kitchen have logged more than a decade on the line. For a deeper dive into the restaurant's history, see Sevy's Grill and coverage from CultureMap Dallas.
Staff Support and a GoFundMe
Owners Amy and Jim Severson have launched a GoFundMe drive with a $100,000 goal to help staff cover living expenses and job searches after the doors close. The campaign lists about 50 employees and has raised roughly $46,500, positioning the fundraiser as direct help for cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, and servers as the restaurant winds down at its current address. Details are on the restaurant's fundraiser page: GoFundMe.
Looking For A New Home
The Seversons say they are actively scouting sites for a new home and intend to prioritize both staff and longtime regulars through the transition. The Preston/Sherry center, where Sevy's sits, was acquired in September 2025 by Austin-based Endeavor Real Estate, a detail local reporting highlighted while covering the closure, and the owners say they are weighing possible locations. CultureMap Dallas reported on the acquisition and the restaurant's public statement.
Part Of A Wider Rent Squeeze
Local food writers have cast Sevy's exit as part of a broader pattern in which longtime neighborhood restaurants are being pushed out by soaring rents and changing property ownership. As reported by the Dallas Observer, lease renewals and landlord sales have already forced several Dallas institutions to relocate or close entirely. Severson told The Dallas Morning News he still hopes to land a new spot, but said his immediate focus is taking care of his team during these final weeks on Preston Road.
