A New Legacy

About 150 years ago, the corner of Adams and Jefferson streets bustled with horses and wagons, pulling into what was then known as Rascal Yard. There, people haggled, traded goods and exchanged news in the shadow of the then-new Capitol of Florida.

In the 1920s, the area remained a hub for commerce and politics. Dr. Thomas Hayward, who owned a home on that corner, could look across the commotion and watch the state’s distinguished representatives greeting each other and conversing as they ventured inside the Capitol.

About 50 years ago, a young restaurateur, Andy Reiss, recognized the value of that still-bustling epicenter of life in Tallahassee. He turned the building on the corner of Adams and Jefferson into an iconic restaurant that has operated under several different names, including “Andrew’s Downtown” and “Andrew’s Capital Grill & Bar.” Locals and regulars just called it “Andrew’s.”

With a warm hug, a few tears and an “I’m proud of you, kid,” Reiss passed the Andrew’s legacy to another young restaurateur, who, with an appreciative nod to the history of this site, will shepherd the establishment into the future.

For decades, the corner of Adams and Jefferson has been a hub for commerce and politics. During the Andrew’s years, politicians and lobbyists gathered to make deals and develop policies while reporters vied for the day’s biggest scoop. Today, Hayward House is drawing the same type of crowd. Photo by Dave Barfield

“The fact that Andrew’s had been here for 50 years, there was really no shying away from that,” said Ashley Chaney, the new proprietor. “I really wanted to lean into the history of the corner. And so, that led me down a rabbit hole of looking and learning about the history of Adams Street and of this corner, specifically, which is just so rich.”

Through her research, she learned the site was the former residence of Dr. Hayward and eventually settled on “Hayward House” as the new name for the restaurant.

She has renovated the restaurant and created a sophisticated and muted atmosphere for the space, which is intimate without being intimidating. The walls are a deep green, with custom millwork and wainscoting, highlighted with soft lighting and brass hardware.

“But we’re not trying to be a white tablecloth place. At the end of the day, it’s a bistro, right? It’s loud. It’s fun. It’s just good, clean food served within a welcoming environment. That’s who we are,” Chaney explained.

Walking through the restaurant, Chaney rubs her hand along the back of a green velvet reupholstered booth seat. “These are the original booths,” she said. “If these booths could talk, huh?”

During the Andrew’s years, those booths held politicians and lobbyists making deals and developing policies, reporters vying for the day’s biggest scoop and others wanting to see and be seen.

Today, Hayward House is drawing the same type of crowd. During Florida’s latest legislative session, lobbyists, representatives and their staff wandered in after a busy day at the Capitol. Reporters perched on stools around the centered bar, watching for who came in with whom.

The menu contains “good, clean food,” including Redfish on the Halfshell featuring skin-on filet, cajun seasoning and chargrilled broccolini. Photo by Dave Barfield

Chaney said, “On a perfect night, there’s an electricity that happens, and there’s nothing like it in the world. The patio is full. The restaurant is full, and the music’s playing. You have people talking, sharing stories, making deals.

“But the best part about it is the Tallahassee community as a whole. It’s not just the legislature — it’s really Tallahassee. The community support has been tremendous, and that is what’s going to sustain us long-term.”

Chaney said Hayward House hosted its first wedding on New Year’s Eve.

“It was such an honor. It got me all choked up, seeing her walk through here with her wedding dress on. It was really, really special.”

She hopes people feel like they’re coming home when they walk through the doors.

“We’re going to remember your name. We’ll remember what your favorite cocktail is,” Chaney promised. “Hopefully, we’ll be here for the next 50 years and will have the opportunity to be a part of people’s celebrations and their birthdays and baby showers.”

Chaney has worked for over 20 years in the hospitality industry at some of the best restaurants in the state. A large chunk of that experience, 12 years, was at Andrew’s. She said Reiss taught her a lot, and she uses his lessons every day.

“I spent a lot of years working in this building. So, I really feel such a privilege to be able to honor Andy’s legacy and to honor the legacy of this corner. It’s truly, just truly, a privilege.”

Hayward House

Located at 228 S. Adams St. in Tallahassee. For more information, call (850) 825-7081 or visit haywardhousetlh.com.