News broke yesterday that Koe Wetzel’s business partners had purchased land for a potential Riot Room in Nashville, but Koe is saying that’s not the case.
The Nashville Business Journal reported that Koe Wetzel and his business partners for Riot Room had purchased the property from the former owners of Dogwood. Dogwood closed its doors on May 1st for good, and the partners of Riot Room (Emil Bragdon, president and CEO of Texas-based Funky Lime Hospitality, and Fort Worth hospitality veteran Fred Barnett) purchased the property. Riot Room had not announced any plans for expansions to Nashville, nor did the Business Journal disclose details.
However, the public knowledge of the building’s purchase hints at the bar chain’s potential expansion to Nashville.
Koe Wetzel made sure to clear that up really quickly with a simple yet effective response.
“False.”
The East Texas native does not embody what Nashville country has turned into one bit, so I must admit I was even surprised to hear the news about the purchase of the land. Koe screams all things Texas, southern rock and roll, with a side of smashing glass bottles and bar fights. It’s not quite the scene you see in Midtown or among the handful of bachelorette parties on Broadway.
While I am sure a Nashville location would be a cash cow for Wetzel, you heard it from the horse’s mouth…Nashville is not the move when it comes to his expansion plans. At least, not yet…
In the meantime, Texans get ready because Houston is the next location for Riot Room. Double the Riot Rooms in Texas means double the trouble and the fun… y’all get ready to Riot.
For those heartbroken about Koe’s response is not what “Sweet Dreams” are made of… one can only hope that one day he expands outside of Texas, bringing the rock and roll honky tonk feel to another state.