A New Flavor for an Old Favorite
By Samantha Marshall
Photos by Hazim Happenings
If the walls of The Celtic Fox could talk, they’d have many tales to tell. Built from stones that were dug up during the construction of the Kansas Statehouse in the 1800s, the walls once housed Washburn Law before the Fox family turned it into an Irish bar and grill. When the Foxes sold the building and business to John Federico and his partners, Greg Schwerdt, Brooks Pettit and Jeremiah Nelson in August 2021, The Celtic Fox began a new chapter that its new owners hope will be just as significant to Downtown Topeka.
Federico, Schwerdt, Pettit and Nelson are not in this venture to make a living. Their motivation is fueled by a passion for helping their city evolve into a premier entertainment district.
“At the end of the day, none of us are looking to get rich off of The Celtic Fox,” said Federico. “We care about Topeka.”
FOUR ENTREPRENEURS WALK INTO A BAR...
All partners are seasoned business owners, but their industries are all over the map. Federico, the primary owner, is a lobbyist who runs a governmental relationship firm. Pettit owns an aviation business, which connected him with client Greg Schwerdt, the owner of an architectural interior design firm. After years of using Pettit’s services to fly to and from his Oklahoma City office, Schwerdt developed a friendship with Pettit. Schwerdt connected Pettit with his longtime friend, Federico, and soon the three of them bonded over their love of the Kansas Jayhawks. The three of them have seen dozens of basketball games across the country.
Federico and Nelson became friends after years of having offices right next door to one another. Nelson’s work for an IT reseller company often intersected with Federico’s, as selling IT hardware to the state of Kansas often requires connections to the Statehouse.
When Mike Fox approached Federico about the opportunity to buy the business, Federico said he thought carefully about who he wanted to partner with.
“What guided me was: Are they good business people? Are they good people? Do they care about making downtown successful?” said Federico.
Pettit recalled the lunch when Federico approached him and Schwerdt about The Celtic Fox.
“It was a quick decision,” Pettit said. “Greg and I both said, ‘You bet, John. If you’re in, we’ll follow you into battle.’”
Nelson’s friendship with Federico, along with his other line of work as the co-owner of a property management company and real estate investment firm, made him an ideal partner to help with both the business and managing the building. The building’s rich history enticed Nelson to join Federico, solidifying the partnership of four.
While Nelson hadn’t known Schwerdt and Pettit before The Celtic Fox, there’s something about redoing a pub that brings people together.
“Now, I would partner with Jeremiah on anything. In fact, I would partner again with each of these guys if we wanted to do something different somewhere else,” said Schwerdt. “The bottom line is, we’re trying to be a part of something bigger.”
HOLD THE FANCY COCKTAILS
The partners agreed that The Celtic Fox needed a refresh but that preserving its identity as a friendly Irish bar was crucial.
“Not everyone needs a $15 cocktail,” said Pettit. “That’s who The Celtic Fox serves: somebody who just wants to get a pint of beer or a glass of whiskey and casual pub fare.”
As someone who has been taking clients to The Celtic Fox for decades, Federico realized its potential as a viable option for professionals looking for a quality lunch before their next meeting.
“I understand, probably better than anyone else, what they’re looking for: a quick meal that’s close to the Statehouse,” said Federico. “I want to make sure that when people walk through the door, they have a positive experience.”
While no structural renovations were done to The Celtic Fox, there was quite a bit of cleanup. Old bar posters and neon signs were replaced with fresh coats of paint and modern wall wraps. The front of the 140-year-old building also got a facelift, complete with updated graphics and brand-new signage.
But while the sign outside got an update, the owners have no plans to update the name of The Celtic Fox.
“We kept the name in honor of Mike’s effort to keep the doors open, sometimes under challenging conditions,” said Federico, referring to years before Downtown’s renaissance.
“There was a time when Downtown Topeka rolled up the sidewalks at 5:15 p.m.,” said Schwerdt. “Mike Fox did a tremendous job.”
MORE THAN A COAT OF PAINT
The pub’s two event spaces were the biggest renovation projects. While Irish memorabilia once covered the walls of the lounge area and the River Room, the partners agreed these spaces should be neutral to attract a variety of events.
“My philosophy was the same one I have when I renovate homes: Take what the building has given you and make it better,” said Nelson. “We’re doing the same thing with The Celtic Fox. We’re trying to make it the best it can be, so that others can enjoy it, and it brings some value to the city.”
Along with cosmetic changes, like new carpet and furniture, the partners applied their practical knowledge of what makes a space useful to choose additional upgrades, like brighter lighting, adjustable seating and technology equipment for presentations.
But amid the modern touches, the building’s character still shines through the exposed limestone.
“You don’t see limestone in that condition very often,” Nelson said. “You see a handful of buildings around the Downtown area with that same stone that was once carted by a mule and buggy when the buildings were built.”
The renovations have paid off. From class reunions to rehearsal dinners, the two spaces have hosted a variety of events, filling a need for more event space Downtown.
“Unfortunately, it’s almost been too successful,“ Schwerdt joked. “I’ve tried to use it twice, and, both times, it was booked up.”
DOWNTOWN’S FRIENDLIEST BAR AND GRILL
While the event spaces boast a modern look, the main bar and dining area retain the classic Irish pub feel that attracts The Celtic Fox’s loyal following.
“The coziness of the space was incredibly important,” said Federico.“As we took things off the walls, we made sure to keep the warmness of a neighborhood bar and grill.”
Adding to the cozy feeling is the fact that everything is homemade. While the partners made some changes to the menu, the home-style cooking is still the star of the show. Next up on the partners’ to-do list: a kitchen renovation that will enable staff to serve larger crowds, faster.
But while delicious food is key, all four partners agree that the staff is a crucial ingredient to the pub’s success.
“The pulse of The Celtic Fox is the wonderful staff that has been there for more than a decade,” said Pettit. “The core of our staff is just as much a part of the restaurant as the building and the taps and everything else.”
Luckily for the restaurant, almost all the staff remained during the ownership transition, including longtime General Manager Katie Turner.
Federico attributes the minimal turnover to two things: each of his partners’ experience with taking care of their own staff and Turner’s leadership.
“I wasn’t going to do this deal if Katie wasn’t willing to stay on,” Federico said. “She is not only a talented general manager, but she handles the staff incredibly well. She treats them like family.”
A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
To the four partners, The Celtic Fox represents a distinct part of the Downtown Topeka landscape that is just as important as the area’s other dining options.
“We do not look at any of the other restaurants as competitors,” said Federico. “If we want to grow as a community, having a thriving town is critically important. So, we support them any way we can. And they do the same with us.”
His support of other businesses is motivated by the same passion for Topeka that prompted him to buy The Celtic Fox.
“If you’re living in community, you have to care about it,” said Federico. “This was an opportunity to continue on with the good work of Mike Fox while adding that cool factor. It’s our small part to help Downtown Topeka.”
