Left to Right: Harley Prater, Charletta Smith, Dewey Smith are the new owners of Bayso’s in Grayson, which will be renamed Darley’s. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
Brandy Lemaster works her last shift at Bayso’s, but will return on May 1 when the sports pub reopens as Darley’s. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
A popular sports pub in Grayson, is under new ownership and will be rebranding soon. Bayso’s Sports Pub, located on Hord Street in downtown Grayson, has been a popular source of entertainment, food, and refreshments for both Grayson and area residents since opening its doors in 2013. The new owners said they are looking forward to making some updates and improvements to the pub while maintaining what patrons have come to love over the years.
New owners Dewey Smith, Charletta Smith, and Harley Prater said that they had been discussing a desire to purchase the pub for several years. Dewey Smith said that he let previous owner Scott Meenix (who had purchased the pub from original owner Keith Bayes) know that if he should ever consider selling the business that they would be interested in buying it.
“And a few months ago, he approached me about selling it,” Smith explained.
After discussing the purchase with his wife and daughter, they decided to move forward.
“There was a lot of thought and prayer involved,” Smith said of the purchase discussions. “We wanted to be sure of what we wanted to do before doing anything. And after discussing it, we thought it would be a good decision for us.”
Smith said that he had always liked the vibe and atmosphere of the sports pub, which was one reason he was drawn to look into purchasing the business.
“And they have always had great food,” both he and wife Charletta were quick to add as another appealing feature. “The wings are especially good; and there are always a lot of customers that turn out for wing night.”
“There are some things that we would like to do and are going to change a little bit,” Smith said. “We want to make it a real nice, down-home place where people can come get something to eat and something to drink vibe or atmosphere.”
“And we are going to redecorate and update,” he added, though quick to point out that Charletta Smith and Harley Prater would be responsible for most of that. “That’s on them,” he said. “I’m just the pretty face.”
The first change the trio of owners will implement is the name, they said. The new name that accompanies the rebrand will be Darley’s, a play on the owners’ names. Charletta Smith will become the face of the new business, and will handle most of the day-to-day operation of the business.
“You need to be present,” Smith said. “And not just for the work; you need to be present for your customers. That way you can be involved in the community and be available for the things people might want to do like events.”
“We are going to change the menu a little, too,” Charletta Smith said of other new things patrons can expect. “We are going to add new things to the menu, and take some things away.”
They are definitely going to keep core menu items like burgers and wings that customers have come to love, they said, so customers can be assured that they won’t be losing their favorites.
A menu item people can look forward to are wraps, Smith said. Taco salad is another menu item they are planning to add, as well as other items people have expressed an interest in being made available along with the core food offerings.
“You have to cater to what people want,” Smith said. “Whether it is their taste buds or the atmosphere.”
The “new” sports pub will feature an updated color scheme to brighten up the overall atmosphere. There will be additional lighting as well as changes to seating; such as adding more and different tables to make enjoying their great food easier for both groups and individuals. There will also be improvements and additions to music with more local artists as well as karaoke and the popular “Paint N Sip” events.
There will be a brief shutdown to clean and remodel, the new owners said. That shutdown began on April 18, and they hope to reopen on May 1, with a food only menu until the new business has secured the license to sell alcoholic beverages. Smith said that during the remodel he also plans to improve the business frontage, signage, and add cameras to enhance security at the sports pub.
“We want people to feel safe while they are enjoying themselves,” Smith said. “And we want to be where they think of when they are thinking of going out for an evening of fun.”
One staple that will not change with the evolution of the sports pub is a face that people have enjoyed seeing since the pub first opened its doors. Brandy Lemaster said she is looking forward to seeing all the updates and changes the new owners will be making, and will be there to greet both current and new customers on May 1 when Darley’s officially opens to the public.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
