When Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel Leviss was exposed, the public had a physical brick and mortar target to express their frustration. It just so happened that Tom had opened a restaurant, called Schwartz & Sandy’s, with his Vanderpump Rules co-star Tom Schwartz.
The establishment was flooded with poor reviews, and diners kept away. Such was the feeling towards Sandoval after cheating on Ariana Madix.
But nearly a year after Scandoval broke the internet, the reaction has subsided. Patrons are returning to Schwartz & Sandy’s and that must be a relief for the duo. The Toms recently shared an update on their business venture at the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 premiere party.
The Toms plan a “revamp” of Schwartz & Sandy’s
“Being that Schwartz and I are the main two business owners, it definitely took a lot of the backlash from the Scandoval of it all,” Sandoval told The Messenger. “But it’s coming back. We’re doing better.”
“I’m proud of what we created, I really am,” Schwartz said. “We put our heart and soul in that place, and for a moment there, I thought it was over.”
Rather than having to close, the Franklin Village eatery is getting ready for a facelift. The Vanderpump Rules star revealed what diners can expect in the coming months. Because of its location in “a very tight knit neighborhood,” Schwartz & Sandy’s was vulnerable to the anti-Sandoval feelings in the community. Thankfully for the business owners, the retaliation has subsided.
“We’re getting ready to revamp, new drinks, new food, new music program … I’m so grateful for everyone who has been coming in lately, because what I’ve experienced on the internet and what I’ve experienced face to face at TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s is day and night, and the juxtaposition is crazy. But I just experienced such an outpouring of love and compassion, with constructive criticism. Don’t get me wrong – I’m still getting roasted, but it’s with a hug,” Schwartz continued.
Have the Toms matured?
It’s certainly been a learning experience for Katie Maloney’s ex-husband. It seems the duo often clashed when Katie offered her insight into the restaurant business, and Schwartz ignored her. Now, however, he admits that he’s matured a lot in the process of planning, opening, and running the bar.
“I know owning a bar restaurant sounds sexy, glamorous, but it’ll make you grow up real quick,” Schwartz added. “If you have any sort of lingering Peter Pan syndrome, just open a bar and you will be snapped back into reality real quick.”
Here’s what else is on a positive trend, Schwartz’s friendship with Sandoval. He described exactly how much work went into salvaging it.
“We put a lot of work into our friendship. We’ve had a lot of healthy, constructive, productive conversations, and he’s taken full accountability and apologized in many shapes and forms,” he said. “I think we’ve both learned a lesson.”
The only issue of contention now between the close friends is the name of their newest restaurant.
“I’m still not crazy about the name. I’ll say it!” Schwartz stated. “That’s the biggest fight me and Tom have ever been in. The name of that f*cking [Schwartz and Sandy’s].”
Vanderpump Rules Season 11 will premiere Tuesday, January 30th at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO CUSTOMERS RETURNING TO SCHWARTZ & SANDY’S? DO YOU THINK THE REVAMP WILL BE SUCCESSFUL? SHOULD THE TOMS CHANGE THE NAME?
