New restaurant to open in People’s Petroleum Building

TYLER — The owners of the People’s Petroleum Building in downtown Tyler announce the upcoming addition of a new restaurant to occupy the second floor. According to a news release, Prime 102 will open late this fall for weekday lunches and dinner service Monday through Saturday. The space was formerly occupied by Jack Ryan’s, which recently closed. Operating Partner Steve Barnhart took a moment Monday to visit with KTBB. He told us the menu includes “prime steaks, excellent seafood, lighter fare as well, lunch, salads and sandwiches, pasta dishes.” He says he’s “very excited to bring great hospitality and service to the downtown area.”

Barnhart was introduced to the restaurant industry as a child, working alongside his grandmother at Kirby’s Steakhouse, on Greenville Avenue in Dallas. He went on to spend 14 years with Del Frisco’s Dbl. Eagle Steakhouse, opening both the New York City and Philadelphia locations. He then went on to assist in fine tuning the reopening of Tavern on the Green in New York City in 2015, according to the release. Barnhart says he recently purchased a home in Tyler’s Azalea District,”and I’m here to stay.” He adds, “I’ve been doing the traveling restaurant thing for years, and it’s nice to finally have a home base and bring back some jobs to the Tyler community — get the restaurant industry back up and running.”

According to the news release, Prime 102 is being designed with the health and safety of guests uppermost in planning. The release says every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of diners at all times, but particularly during the COVID-19 situation. The release notes that with almost 11,000 square feet of space, there is ample space for social distancing.

Along with the main facility, The Corner Bar @ Prime 102 will provide a place to meet for cocktails and casual dining. As for any kind of a target date, while he wouldn’t commit to it, Barnhart says it would be great if the restaurant could open November 5 — 80 years to the day since the Peoples Petroleum Building first opened.