TEMPLE, Texas — It's no secret that West Temple is booming in population and economic growth. Alongside that growth comes the announcement of a new restaurant, bar and overall hang-out spot aimed at offering the community a place to gather and relax.
"Community is everything, it's in our name," Owner of Commonwealth Texas Jerrod Wittman Said. "Commonwealth is just another word for community."
The Commonwealth Texas will be a 10,000 square-foot entertainment complex on the corner of West Adams Avenue and Morgan's Point Road, near to its current market location. It will feature a restaurant and bourbon bar, as well as an area for live music, pickleball, cornhole, and multiple spaces for events or gatherings.
The chef at Commonwealth wants to keep his menu a secret a little longer, but told 6 News he is excited about the smash burger that will be offered. He described it as "elevated Texas cuisine that's been kissed by the south."
"More than anything, we want to be a place for people to spend eight minutes or eight hours, and we want them to do it with their family, their friends and their guests and visitors from around the world," Wittman said.
Wittman, who refers to himself as "the tattooed one" among Commonwealth's leadership, said they began breaking ground on the three-acre plot in February 2023 with a goal of being open to the public March 1, 2024.
"Hope is that it can be even sooner, but we'll plan on doing some soft opening events, things to train all our staff," Wittman said.
Along with the space, they expect to employ 120 people.
Overall, Wittman said he's excited to bring such a lively spot to the Temple area.
"On the business side, it makes sense because there's nothing like what we're trying to provide this community in Central Texas," Wittman said. "A lot of times, you'll have to go to Waco or to Austin, you know, either side of 35 right there to have the experience that we want to offer over here at Commonwealth."
Commonwealth does offer a membership, you don't have to have one to enjoy the many facets the business will offer. However, being a member does come with extra perks like the speakeasy that will be opened with facial recognition to "uncover just a utopia of different offerings private bar."
"If you know you're going to be regular, it makes a lot of sense to be a member," Wittman added.