Gary’s Place Celebrates 20 Years in Spring Hill

Gary’s Place Celebrates 20 Years in Spring Hill

Gary Sherman’s son, Austin, to lead the neighborhood hangout into the future

On March 14, Gary’s Place celebrated its 20th anniversary with what owner Gary Sherman described as a “big ole party,” one where he and his son Austin recognized “all the customers who have supported us for the past 20 years.” 

The occasion prompted the elder Sherman—a Scranton, Pennsylvania native—to reflect on the last two decades, including how he got started in Spring Hill after owning a bar in Florida. 

“I started out in March 2006, having opened under a franchise called Wings, Pizza N Things, and it wasn’t but seven months that we changed the name. It has been Gary’s Place ever since,” he recalls. “I asked my customers, ‘What should we name the business?’ They said, ‘Either call it Wings or Gary’s.’ So, I went with Gary’s. Now, almost everyone who comes in asks, ‘There really is a Gary?’”

Of course, back in 2006, Spring Hill had less than a quarter of the population it has today, and precious little else in the way of bars and eateries.

“When I opened up, there was The Pub, Pancho’s Place, the Chinese buffet, maybe one other place, and us. That was it,” says Sherman. “Twenty years on, our neighborhood hangout has weathered all the storms—including the pandemic—and now we’re the oldest bar in Spring Hill. 

That said, Sherman attributes much of his success to his willingness to change and to adjust to the wants and needs of his patrons.

“I listen to my customers, and I listen to what Spring Hill wants,” he asserts. “Everything that was successful for my bar in Florida did not work in Spring Hill. I had to learn Spring Hill. That’s why we’re still around,” he adds. 

It doesn’t hurt that Gary’s Place has been repeatedly recognized for its food and service.

“Most recently, we have been voted Best Wings in Spring Hill (2025 Main Street Awards),” notes Sherman, before noting that his establishment has also won Best Burger in past iterations of the contest.

“Our wings, burgers, and chicken wraps are our three mainstays, and customers really love our pizza, too. We also have a different weekly special every week, with a pork tenderloin sandwich being one recent example.

A rotating series of events also helps attract crowds. 

“We have three pool tables and several leagues that play out from here,” relates Sherman. “We also have dart tournaments every Tuesday, as well as Trivia on Wednesdays and Thursdays. And we have live music a couple times a month.”

Above all else, Gary’s Place and its dozen or so employees offer a consistently friendly atmosphere—not to mention a place where “you never wait for a drink,” says Sherman, with a laugh. 

He says he hopes to see Gary’s Place continue to thrive for decades to come, now that he has been easing into retirement and his son, Austin, has taken over the day-to-day operations of the business.

“Last year I pretty much passed the torch on to my son, and every day I step away further and further,” concludes Sherman. “Hopefully he’s going to maintain the legacy of Gary’s Place for the next 20 years.”

VISIT:

Gary’s Place

2001 Campbell Station Pkwy., Spring Hill

(615) 302-3636

https://www.instagram.com/garysplacespringhill