Summerland Public House

01/07/2026

Authentic Italian cuisine in Menard, Texas!
Pasta, pizza, hot subs, desserts and fine dining.

01/03/2026

11/20/2025

Thank you to everyone that has reached out concerned about the pub building!
Happy to report no water inside thus far.

11/08/2025

Turnkey Restaurant Property for Sale – Menard, Texas

Looking for a restaurant-ready space or a smart investment in Menard? This 2,700 sq. ft. commercial property on US Highway 83 is fully upgraded and ready for operation.

Highlights:
• Fully restaurant-ready with significant upgrades
• Licenseable for TABC wine and beer service
• Complete commercial kitchen with vent hood, fire suppression, three-compartment sink, mop sink, and utility closet
• Dining room ceiling brought up to the rafters after removing old popcorn ceiling
• Updated lighting in the bar and reclaimed tin ceiling in bar and serving areas
• Upgraded floors throughout
• Two working bathrooms
• Actively operated as a restaurant until just a month ago
• Attached to a roadside motel undergoing aggressive renovations
• Highway improvements underway nearby, adding value
• Flexible for a restaurant, coffee shop, outfitter, boutique, market, gym, or other business
• Option to purchase the noteworthy Summerland Public House, featured in Texas Monthly, appeared in The Daytripper, and received local and regional recognition

This property has been actively upgraded over the past year and a half and is a strong investment whether you want to open a business now or hold it as property likely to increase in value. Locals and travelers already know it as the go-to spot for good food and a welcoming atmosphere.

📍 Located at 210 Ellis, US Highway 83, Menard, TX
💬 Message me for details or reach out to Clint Roberson at (325) 456-9447

11/02/2025

Thank you.

We have read and received every single one of your kind comments, messages, and calls, and it truly means the world to us.

We moved here to build a life for our family and contribute to the community we love. We put ourselves into it completely. Our intention was no different when we opened Summerland, to give something special to this community that I have loved for 41 (and a half 😄) years.

We gave it all of our time, energy, and love. Sometimes it felt like we weren’t able to quite get that across, but reading all of your responses shows us that Summerland did resonate with people near and far, more so than we even imagined, and that’s all we ever wanted (making a living would have been nice too, but we’re past that 😅.)

Now we’re focused on selling the building so we can move forward into whatever’s next. With the attached motel being renovated and future highway work planned to come through this area, there’s a lot of potential for the right buyer or investor.

If you know anyone who might be interested, please send them our way. 💛

10/27/2025

✨ FOR SALE: 210 Ellis St. — Current Home of Summerland Pub ✨

Our building is officially on the market! This versatile commercial property offers Highway 83 frontage and is attached to a historic motel that is currently being renovated, creating a one-of-a-kind setup full of potential.

It is a fully equipped commercial kitchen and restaurant space, but it could just as easily become something new, such as:
• A brewery, winery, or tasting room
• A billiards or game-style hangout
• A retail boutique or gift shop
• A river and hunting outfitters
• A small market or manufacturing space
• Someone could even bring back the old Country Store that was once part of this community

✨ The possibilities are truly endless. Come check out the space and see if it lends itself toward what you have been dreaming up. ✨

We are open to reasonable offers and motivated to sell. Please feel free to share or tag someone who might be looking for a unique opportunity here in Menard.

10/22/2025

🌿 Thank You from Summerland 🌿

When we first opened Summerland Public House, a lovely musician, Julia Hatfield, played for us and shared something she likes to say, “Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.” That has stayed with me throughout the years because truly, that is what we are most grateful for: the opportunity to serve you, to share our food, our space, and part of our story with this community.

After much reflection and with heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to close Summerland Public House.

This space has been more than a restaurant to us. It has been a piece of our hearts, a gathering place for laughter and stories, and a reflection of the love we have for this community.

As someone who grew up here in Menard, with roots that go back generations, it has meant the world to me to give something back to the town that helped raise me. Luke, who is from Watertown, Massachusetts, came to love Menard as he grew within his love for me. We lived here for a year leading up to our wedding, and over the past eight years we have poured our energy into this community in every way we could: from running the farmers market to coaching baseball, to creating a space where people could come together over good food and connection.

When we opened Summerland, there was not really a public place for families to sit down, share a drink together, and gather as a community. Since then, we have watched eating establishments develop and gathering spots take root. We are proud to have been a small part of that change.

The name “Summerland” came from a term used by the Native Americans who lived here long before Menard was settled. We discovered it in a bicentennial pamphlet celebrating this area, and it felt like the perfect name for a place that celebrates everything we love about this land and community. While Summerland Public House is closing, Summerland itself, this place, this spirit, this land, will forever exist.

We are endlessly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey: our incredible staff, our loyal customers, our family, and friends near and far. Your encouragement, laughter, and belief in us carried us through it all.

While the restaurant is now closed, the property at 210 Ellis Street is available for purchase and we are open to offers. It is also available for possible rental or lease options.

We may still have a lobster event up our sleeve if there is enough interest, but we shall see.

Thank you for being part of our story, for believing in what we built, and for helping shape what Summerland became.

With deep love and gratitude,
Sarah and Luke Johanson