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Fort Worth chef and restaurateur Tim Love’s latest venture looks to give Fort Worth a bit of an English country club atmosphere as well as latch onto the latest trend of combining food with entertainment. Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails, set to open in Fort Worth’s River District along the Trinity Trails this spring, offers, “the timeless charm of an English country club without the exclusivity of private membership,” he said. Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails, as the name implies, will offer cocktails, some food and croquet on the expansive lawn. The bar is named after Love’s late father, Stewart Love, who had a farm in Cookeville, Tennessee, where Love first played croquet during family gatherings. While croquet has not scored as many fans as pickleball in recent years, it has scored a few wickets and gained in popularity in the past few decades. Love likes the fact that it’s easy to play and, while challenging, is not as athletic as something like pickleball or tennis. Drinks, served in custom-branded crystal tumblers, will be available on the field of play, Love said. The club will offer croquet whites for participants who want to wear the traditional garb, but it’s not required, he said.“We just want to create this really fun atmosphere that’s approachable, yet refined,” he said. “There is not a place where I feel like you can go get that kind of experience without membership,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to design.” There are also not a lot of cocktail bars on the west side of town, he said. “I think we need a place where you can grab a drink before or after dinner and just relax,” he said. Located at 4424 White Settlement Road, the 1,100-square-foot building that was formerly George’s Specialty Foods will undergo a full renovation. There will be seating for 28 inside as well as some outside. Love purchased the building last year. The renovation has yielded a few treasures, he said. “We’ve found this old refrigerator from the early ’70s, if not the late ’60s, an old cake display,” he said. “It’s octagon-shaped and spins around, so we’re gonna have cheeses and cakes on that. I just couldn’t get rid of this little refrigerator. It’s badass.” Discoveries like that will give Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktails “a feel of the vision of the past with all these modern touches,” he said. The menu will feature sophisticated takes on country club classics, such as gulf cocktail shrimp, lobster roll, croque monsieur and desserts such as bananas foster. The design of Stewart’s interior bar was inspired by vintage midcentury modern aesthetics with sleek lines and wood accents, he said. The outdoor space will pay homage to the history of croquet and Love’s personal family legacy. The logo includes the date 1930, when Love’s father was born.Love also plans an outdoor stage for small concerts. “People can spread blankets on the lawn and we can also cover the lawn,” he said. Stewart’s is located near two other Love concepts — Hotel Otto, a micro-resort hotel, and Gemelle, his Italian restaurant.Love is the chef and owner of Love Management Inc., whose concepts in Fort Worth include Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Woodshed Smokehouse, Love Shack, White Elephant Saloon and Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall. Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.