Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaden Reardon.
Jaden, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My husband Barry is an escrow officer, and when we purchased the restaurant, I was managing the winery just across the street. For years, I had tried to convince Barry to open a brunch spot because I felt it was something Cedar City was missing. He always said no—he didn’t want to start a restaurant from scratch or be tied down by the overwhelming task of building something from nothing.
That changed in October of 2023, when the owners of The Pub Craft Kitchen approached us. We had developed a great relationship through various catering projects they had done for me at the winery, and they shared that they were planning to sell. They felt we could take the business to the next level, and because it was already an established restaurant with high-quality food, Barry was in.
We officially took over in May 2024 and rebranded it as The Pub Spirits + Craft Kitchen. At the time, the restaurant looked and operated very differently. While the food was fantastic, we felt it needed an elevated atmosphere and service experience to truly shine. We started by creating a warm, welcoming environment where every guest would feel seen and valued.
As part of our rebrand, we introduced spirits and handcrafted cocktails—expanding the beverage offerings beyond the original beer and wine. The restaurant initially operated with counter service, but we knew that in order to really romance the food, we needed to transition to full table service. After taking time to understand the business and operations, we made that switch in October 2024.
Most recently, we removed the old ordering counter and built out a brand-new bar and lounge area to showcase our growing list of craft cocktails and zero-proof offerings.
Barry has maintained his full-time career as an escrow officer, while I run the restaurant full time. It’s been a journey of thoughtful evolution, always centered around enhancing the guest experience while honoring the food that made the place special to begin with.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, it’s been a fairly smooth road—especially considering that we had never owned a restaurant before. That said, we’ve made some pretty dramatic changes in a relatively short amount of time, and with each of those shifts, there have definitely been moments of second-guessing ourselves.
Whether it was introducing table service, rebranding, or building out the new bar and lounge, each change came with a learning curve. There were always a few days of uncertainty, wondering if we made the right decision—but we’ve learned to trust our instincts, stay adaptable, and push forward. Every challenge has ultimately helped us grow and refine the experience we’re creating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Pub Spirits + Craft Kitchen?
The Pub Spirits + Craft Kitchen is a full-service restaurant in the heart of historic downtown Cedar City. We specialize in elevated comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes people feel at home the moment they walk through the door.
What sets us apart is the intentionality behind every detail—from the scratch-made menu to the curated cocktail and mocktail list, and the eclectic design filled with character and charm. We believe hospitality is more than good food and drinks—it’s about creating meaningful experiences. Whether it’s a quick lunch, a celebratory dinner, or drinks with friends, we aim to make every visit memorable.
We’re most proud of the culture and atmosphere we’ve created. We want our guests to feel seen, appreciated, and cared for—and that starts with our team. Our brand is all about warmth, quality, and creativity, and we reflect that in everything we do—from the way we plate our food to the art on our walls.
We also embrace change. Since taking over, we’ve rebranded, added a cocktail program, transitioned to table service, and built a beautiful new bar and lounge area. Each decision has been about elevating the guest experience while staying true to the soul of the restaurant.
At The Pub, we’re not just serving food—we’re creating a place where people want to gather, connect, and return to again and again.
How do you think about luck?
We truly feel like everything has fallen into place in such a way that it’s hard not to believe a little bit of luck was involved. From the timing of the opportunity to take over the restaurant to the community’s response to our changes, it all feels incredibly serendipitous.
Cedar City doesn’t always embrace change quickly, but we’ve felt overwhelming support from the beginning. Guests have not only welcomed us—they’ve championed the evolution of The Pub.
I often tell customers, “We’re so lucky,” and more often than not, they’ll respond with, “It’s not luck—it’s your hard work and vision.” And while that means the world to hear, I think the truth lies somewhere in between. We’ve worked tirelessly to make The Pub what it is today, but we’re also deeply grateful for the timing, the opportunity, and the people who’ve believed in us from the start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepubcedarcity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepub_cedarcity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCPastryPub/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-pub-spirits-craft-kitchen-cedar-city-4?start=140
