A much-loved restaurant in Winter Garden is changing hands.
For seven years, Laurie and Kevin Tarter hosted guests at the Attic Door, a charming spot that served tea by day and transformed into an eclectic wine bar when the sun set. The couple , who took over the cozy space, located at 28 West Plant Street in the heart of Downtown Winter Garden, announced that they have made the decision to retire and had sold the operation to entrepreneur Jim Larweth via a Facebook post:
The heartfelt post thanked their loyal customers and staff, with the Tarters writing, “We are thrilled to announce that the new owner is dedicated to preserving this legacy business, which has been a staple of Plant Street for over 20 years. You can expect the same iconic vibe and the local musicians you love to continue entertaining our community.”
The newly retired couple added that they had fallen in love with the space back in 2006 when they had moved to Winter Garden — long before they took over the wine bar. “On January 1, 2019, we were lucky enough to become the owners, eventually evolving it into a wine bistro with a solid menu of food offerings to complement our wine selection.”
They went on to note that health challenges over the past few years, they began to step back, allowing their team to shine: “And oh, how they have shined!” They went on to thank chef David Lampman and other key staff members, before promising that the new owner plans to keep operations very similar to what guests love about the space. “After seeing how Jim Larweth maintained the integrity and team at The Chef’s Table, we felt incredibly confident handing over the keys to this fourth owner of The Attic Door. We know he will respect the legacy of this space while adding his own positive touch in the years to come.”
According to Orlando Business Journal, Jim Larweth is the founder and executive vice president of Anton RX, a Winter Garden-based pharmaceutical rebate management company. Larweth has also purchased and transitioned other hospitality businesses in the past.
