A storefront on Lakewood's Detroit Avenue that has cycled through three restaurant concepts in as many years is getting its most extensive makeover yet. Sourwood Public House, a modern Southern restaurant, is undergoing a construction project that has gutted nearly the entire former restaurant space at 14810 Detroit Ave., with work stretching from the basement through the ceiling.
According to Cleveland Scene, the renovation will bring new furniture, lighting, wall panels and bar tops to the space, along with custom-built booths and banquettes. The exposed brick that long defined the room will get a grey wash treatment, part of an effort the restaurant says is aimed at polished-casual dining. The project is being led by Leo Hines, the new operator of Sourwood Public House, who according to the same report described the concept as Southern cuisine with global influences.
Hines and his partners are opening their first independent restaurant concept together, per Cleveland Scene's reporting. Hines previously worked for Rick Doody at Bravo/Brio, for Bret Adams of Burntwood Tavern and M Italian, and at Sapphire Creek Winery and related properties — an industry resume the outlet says informs his pledge that Sourwood will provide high-quality food. A separate account from Lakewood Post notes the sign permit application for the project names Hines under Public House Hospitality Group.
A Menu Built on Fried Chicken and Gulf Coast Flavors
The early menu leans heavily into Southern comfort food with international twists. Cleveland Scene reports planned dishes including deviled eggs, chicken-fried oysters, crispy catfish tacos, fried green tomatoes, Caesar salad, crawfish bisque and creamy corn chowder. Shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles are also on the list, alongside blackened catfish and triple-fried Korean-style fried chicken.
Fried chicken appears to be a centerpiece of the concept. The outlet notes the chicken will be gluten-free and offered in white, dark, mixed and bucket options, with sauces including gochujang BBQ, honey hot, honey mustard and cilantro lime crema. Sandwiches featuring fried chicken, fried catfish and a smash burger will come with hand-cut fries, Cleveland Scene reports. Lakewood Post's early look at the menu lists entrées running $19 to $26, including fried chicken with gochujang barbecue sauce, blackened catfish with red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, and catfish tacos with jicama slaw.
A Storefront With a Rough Recent Track Record
The Detroit Avenue address has a complicated recent history. Deagan's Kitchen and Bar opened in 2010 and closed in 2023, according to Cleveland Scene, after Lakewood Post reported the original restaurant occupied the storefront for 13 years. Partners who bought the business from owner Dan Deagan reopened it as Solstice, the Post reports, but that concept lasted only about a year before cleveland.com confirmed in August 2024 that Solstice had permanently closed. That same report noted Solstice had officially opened in January 2024.
Before its brief run ended, Solstice drew attention for its buildout: Cleveland Scene's 2023 first-look coverage described owners spending two and a half months refinishing floors, painting the ceiling, hanging drywall and scrubbing the kitchen before opening, with the finished space seating about 130 guests, including 35 at a large island bar. Dan Deagan later returned to the location with The Arcade on Detroit in April 2025, but that concept also closed earlier in 2026, according to Cleveland Scene's reporting — making Sourwood the third attempt to make the space work since Deagan's original restaurant shut its doors.
Liquor Permit and Timeline Still in Motion
Sourwood Public House is planning to open in December 2026, Cleveland Scene reports, though Lakewood Post's early-October account stated that no opening date had been announced as of that report. The Post also detailed a liquor-permit maneuver behind the scenes: the company is reportedly taking over an existing beer, wine and liquor permit from Sunset Bar & Grill in Ripley, near Cincinnati, and transferring it to the Lakewood location.
A Lakewood City Council agenda confirms a liquor permit item tied to Sourwood Public House at 14810 Detroit Ave. was before the council, per the city of Lakewood, which also noted information for public comment on the matter. Whatever its final timeline, Sourwood will be stepping into a storefront that has hosted several short-lived restaurant concepts in recent years, and Lakewood diners will be watching to see whether a full gut renovation and a seasoned operator can finally break that streak.
