Those behind the forthcoming Westfield Tavern at the Shallowford Corners Shopping Center say they’re getting closer to opening, and they got a big boost in the process last week.
Cobb commissioners approved on a consent agenda an item to grant a beer, wine, liquor and Sunday pouring license to Westfield Tavern, which is set to occupy the former East Cobb Tavern and Keegan’s Public House space.
Managing partner Erik Tierney told East Cobb News Monday that he’s hoping to open the doors in a couple of weeks, but couldn’t say exactly when.
He’s still hiring a staff and “waiting on a few other things” regarding licensing and permitting from Cobb County.
A veteran of the Atlanta pub and community tavern scene, Tierney said Westfield Tavern will be a “family-friendly community tavern” much like his Whitehall Tavern, which opened in Buckhead at the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center near Piedmont Hospital in 2011.
His restaurant group also includes the Creatwood Tavern in Smyrna, which features a rooftop patio.
While there’s a sports bar-type atmosphere, Tierney said he wants Westfield Tavern to exude a real community feel—it’s named after an adjacent subdivision on Shallowford Road—and will include an area for kids’ games.
The business also plans to get involved as a sponsor and partner in community activities, especially those involving youth and in the Pope, Lassiter and other school communities.
In doing the market research, Tierney said the demographics are very similar to Whitehall Tavern—40 and over and those raising children.
“It works very well down there,” he said in reference of the Buckhead location’s concept, “and I think it’s replicable here.”
The Westfield Tavern menu, he said, will also reflect those similarities (here’s Whitehall’s), including a number of kids’ items.
While Westfield will be located in the heart of the “JOSH” area soon to welcome East Cobb Church and new residential development, Tierney said its proximity to Roswell also is ideal.
“We’re trying to create this as a destination,” he said.
East Cobb Tavern opened in Jan. 2020, but closed soon after due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It briefly reopened then shut again in early 2021 in an attempt to find new ownership.
But that didn’t materialize, and the premises were vacant until last fall, when plans for the Westfield Tavern got underway.
Westfield Tavern was initially denied an alcohol license due to distance requirements under Cobb ordinances, but the Cobb License Review Board reversed that decision, which was upheld by Cobb commissioners last week.
That’s a standard pattern for many restaurants and bars in Cobb (as we noted in March 2021 about the Flying Biscuit Cafe opening).
Westfield Tavern’s opening hours will be Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The address is 4401 Shallowford Road Suite 13.
Tierney said anyone interested in applying for positions at Westfield can email info@westfield-tavern.com.
Tierney, who hails from Ireland and previously was a manager of the now-closed Ri Ra Tavern in Midtown Atlanta as well as Meehan’s Public House in Atlantic Station, said that while Westfield Tavern won’t be following as a true Irish pub, “we’ll still have Guinness on tap,” he said.
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