A New Chapter at 420 Main

Coming Fall 2026

This fall, a new fire will be lit at 420 Main Street in the heart of Martindale.

Martindale Barbecue & River Club will open in the historic Motor Company Building, led by former Duett's chef Mike Torres and operated by Gold Epicure Hospitality. The project is made possible through a partnership with Matt Shrum and Meredith Henley, whose belief in the vision and commitment to Martindale helped bring this next chapter to life, alongside building owner and partner Maury Swenson, whose stewardship of this historic property has helped preserve one of the town's most treasured landmarks.

More than just a restaurant, this marks the beginning of two distinct hospitality concepts that will operate from the building—each rooted in live-fire cooking, genuine hospitality, community, and the timeless spirit of small-town Texas.

The building itself has been a gathering place for generations. Originally constructed in 1924 as an automobile dealership and service station, the Motor Company Building has long served as a hub of commerce and connection in Martindale. After narrowly escaping demolition, the building was thoughtfully restored and became a cornerstone of the revitalization of downtown Martindale. Today, it stands as one of the town's most recognizable landmarks, overlooking the San Marcos River and carrying with it more than a century of stories.

Most recently, these walls housed Duett's Texas Club. Under the vision and care of Ryan and Katie Grametbaur, Duett's became far more than a restaurant. It became a gathering place where neighbors met, musicians found a stage, celebrations were shared, and visitors discovered the unique spirit of Martindale.

As we begin this next chapter, we do so with the blessing, friendship, and encouragement of the founders of Duett's. We have no intention of recreating what they built. Duett's was special because it reflected the people behind it, and that legacy deserves both recognition and respect.

Instead, we hope to honor their contribution by caring for this building and community with the same authenticity, hospitality, and sense of purpose that made Duett's such an important part of Martindale's story.

Martindale Barbecue & River Club will be its own expression of Texas hospitality—centered around barbecue, live-fire cooking, music, river culture, and the belief that the best memories are made around a shared table. Our goal is simple: create a place where locals feel ownership, visitors feel welcome, and every guest leaves feeling like family.

Under the stewardship of Gold Epicure Hospitality, alongside partners Matt Shrum, Meredith Henley, and Maury Swenson, we are committed to preserving the spirit of this historic property while building something worthy of the next generation of memories.

The building remains.

The community remains.

And a new chapter is about to begin.

We look forward to welcoming you to 420 Main this fall.