After much speculation, Sneaky Pete’s, the beloved lakeside restaurant and bar in Lewisville, has officially announced it will close its doors next month. The closure comes after the City of Lewisville decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease.
What Happened?
Nick Mehmeti, who has owned and operated Sneaky Pete’s for over 25 years, confirmed the closure, which will take place on September 28. According to Mehmeti, the city plans to develop the site into a hotel and conference center, prompting the decision not to renew the lease.
“I got involved 25 years ago — it’s been a great run,” said Mehmeti. “Unfortunately, we’re not going to run anymore, obviously, but we’ll get beyond this. There will be another business.”
Failed Proposal for a New Development
Mehmeti shared that he had offered to build a hotel resort that would also house a new Sneaky Pete’s, but the city did not accept his proposal. “We offered the city ten years ago to build the hotel resort,” he said, explaining that the plan would have included a 150-room hotel and a new restaurant building within 18 months.
A Place Full of Memories
The announcement has been emotional for many loyal patrons who have frequented Sneaky Pete’s for years. Krista Williams, a former waitress who worked at the restaurant 25 years ago, returned recently as a customer.
She described the restaurant as a place that meant “fun” and “summertime,” and emphasized the tight-knit, family-like atmosphere that Sneaky Pete’s always fostered.
“You never met a stranger here,” Williams recalled. “Everybody just came up to everybody, and everybody was out for a good time and helped one another.”
What’s Next for Sneaky Pete’s?
Mehmeti is already planning to relocate Sneaky Pete’s to a new location, potentially in The Colony. While the exact details of the new site are still being worked out, he assured customers that they can continue to visit the current location until the end of September.
For many, the news is a bittersweet farewell to a spot filled with memories, but with the hope that Sneaky Pete’s will live on in a new location. “I’m sad. I’m not gonna lie,” said Williams. “I’m very sad. And there’s a lot of memories out here.”
