Newell Lounge with cocktails and bar food opens in Shirt Factory

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Bartender Chris Kozody of Medina, left, and sous chef Jake Muessigbrodt of Middleport stand at the bar of The Lounge in the Shirt Factory.

MEDINA – The newest business to open in the former Newell Shirt Factory is described as an “early mid-century lobby bar, featuring intimate table seating and comfortable lounge for relaxing and enjoying a drink.”

Local attorney Andrew Meier purchased the former Newell Shirt Factory building in 2005, and began what would become two decades of renovations and improvements.

The first renovations saw opening of the Shirt Factory Café and remodeling of the second floor for the law offices of Webster, Schubel and Meier. Third-floor renovations which followed now accommodate hotel rooms called the Hart House.

Last year, Meier and his husband Rich Sarrero completed renovation of the east end of the building for Factory Espresso, a coffee bar/café which is open seven days a week.

(Left) A short rib served with potato puree, roasted root vegetables and gremolata is one of the menu offerings at The Newell, a lounge open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday in the Shirt Factory on West Center Street. (Photos by Alix Gilman – Right) Andrew Meier, owner of the building formerly known as Newell Shirt Factory with his husband Rich Sarrero, traveled to the Carolinas to purchase this ornate mirror which hangs over the bar in The Newell.

The Shirt Factory Café has closed and has reopened as the Shirt Factory, a craft cocktail bar offering typical fresh and modern bar food. They are open from 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday,  featuring a “boozy brunch.”

At The Newell, a menu of cocktails, including classic favorites and their signature Sunrise in Montego are available, along with a choice of unique menu items.

“A lot of places are closed on Sunday and Monday, and now there is another option where people can go and eat,” said Alix Gilman, head of marketing for the Shirt Factory.

Chris Kozody, Gilman’s brother, is general manager and bartender. He delights in mixing up a traditional daiquiri, martini, Manhattan or marguerita, as well as a variety of old classics and their signature drink he developed – Sunrise in Montego, featuring dark rum, coffee liqueur, pineapple and egg.

(Left) Framed clothing made at Newell Shirt Factory and historic old photos are grouped on a wall in the new intimate, 25-capacity lounge called The Newell, an intimate 25-capacity space just opened in the building. (Right) A photo of Robert Newell, who owned the famed Newell Shirt Factory for many years, hangs in the recently opened lounge called The Newell.

Food items include crab cakes with pickled watermelon radish; Newell’s plancha, with cured meats, cheese, olives and pita chips; calamari, breaded to order with marinara; beet deviled eggs with goat cheese; frites, greens and vegetable of the day; saku tuna poke bowl; short ribs; and a burger blend of brisket, sirloin and ribeye, lettuce, tomato and onion with aioli and chimichurri on a Costanzo hard roll.

The food menu was developed through consultation with local chef Lionel Heydel and head chef David Gawron. Sous chef is Jake Muessigbrodt of Middleport.

“You would expect to see a lounge like this in the city,” Gilman said. “It has amazing food and delicious cocktails, and it’s five minutes from home.”

The Lounge is also available to rent for private parties of up to 25 people on the days they are not open to the public.

The Lounge is located in space formerly occupied by 810 Meadworks.