We first broke the news last weekend that the former Sweeney’s restaurant property had been sold. New owners Rhonda and Matt Hiatt have revealed that after a major renovations to the building, they hope to be opening Meridien this fall. As of this week they’ve already ripped up flooring, started installing a new roof and changing the bar area. They’ll be adding a two sided, 30 seat bar with a lounge area with couches behind it.
Matt said he considers what they are opening as more of a lounge with small plates, as opposed to a restaurant. Offering great wines and cocktails where you can relax and enjoy with friends. When asking him for more about what they plan, he said they plan on lower price points than Manna and more upscale than Bargos. As a Centerville resident who lives just a few blocks away from the Franklin location, he and his wife want to bring the experiences they’ve had while traveling to his own backyard.
He envisions Meridien as the kind of place that can host small parties, charity fundraisers and be “a place where community and culture can kind of intersect and have some really great experiences.”
