After two decades in the mortgage industry, Amber Kovarik had become something of an expert on the Valley’s best spots to meet clients, whether for celebratory lunches, quick contract signings or a relaxed happy hour. But while she loved the buzz and warmth of all-day hangout spots like La Grande Orange, The Henry and Postino WineCafé, she noticed one thing missing: a true third place close to home in downtown Chandler.
So, she and her husband, Mike, decided to build one.
In March, the couple opened George & Gather, a vibrant new all-day restaurant and community hub tucked into a beautifully restored mid-century commercial space just south of downtown Chandler. What once housed an auto body repair shop now glows with Art Deco-inspired design. Think warm woods, bold tilework, brushed brass, and sunlight pouring in through oversized windows.
The space is designed to flex with the rhythms of the day. Mornings are counter-service, where guests can order up front, then settle in anywhere they like. It’s perfect for those bringing a laptop to knock out a few emails or simply taking their time to enjoy a maple-sweetened latte. From there, the energy shifts throughout the day: full-service lunch, craft cocktails at the bar, dinner with friends, or a moment of quiet on the covered patio next to the fireplace. An indoor-outdoor bar; full-service dining room; and a market stocked with gelato, grab-and-go meals, curated wines and locally made goods make G&G a destination that fits any kind of visit.
For those seeking even more connection and creativity, G&G offers two private spaces for everything from remote work and community meetups to chef-led pop-ups and celebrations. The Gather Kitchen, equipped with a full-service kitchen, and the adjacent Private Dining Room are built to bring people together, whether for productivity or play.
“I’ve always loved the way food can turn an everyday moment into something special,” says Amber. “Even in my mortgage business, I tried to make the mortgage experience feel personal and celebratory. So, to now watch guests fully immersed in their moments here — it’s incredibly rewarding.”
But behind the inviting energy and flexible space is a serious commitment to quality. George & Gather serves a completely from-scratch menu free of seed oils and full of clean, nutritious ingredients. Lunch standouts include craveable starters like Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Italian sausage, piquillo pepper purée and hot honey, as well as vibrant mains like the Italian Chop Salad or Pan-Seared Faroe Island Salmon, served over crispy fingerlings, roasted beets and arugula and served with a citrus-horseradish vinaigrette.
As for the name? It’s a nod to their location on Washington Street, named for George Washington, and the deeper mission to create a place where people gather.
And gather, they do.
George & Gather
336 S. Washington St., Chandler
(480) 470-5143
Bacon Wrapped Dates Italian sausage, Piquillo pepper puree, microgreens, hot honey $16 |
Italian Chop Salad Organic mixed greens & romaine, provolone, Genoa salami, grape tomato, pepperoncini, red onion, cucumber and green olive, with red wine vinaigrette $21 |
Pan Seared Faroe Island Salmon Horseradish cream, crispy fingerling potato, roasted beets and arugula, with citrus vinaigrette $34 |
Did You Know: Third places are public spaces outside of home (first place) and work (second place) where people can gather, connect and build community. The concept was introduced by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989.
