Tom Schwartz knows plenty about managing a bar and restaurant, and he wants to help out his friend Jax Taylor.
On the April 17 episode of Jax's new podcast, In the Mind of Jax Taylor, the pair discussed the challenges of being a business owner, especially of a bar, considering Jax's sobriety journey (Jax opened his sports bar, Jax's Studio City, in October 2023).
"It's hard on your personal relationships. It's hard on your sleeping habits if you're running, managing a bar," Tom, who is a part-owner of TomTom with his pal Tom Sandoval, shared (their other establishment, Schwartz & Sandy's, closed in December 2024). As Jax noted, as he's "cut back a lot" with his business duties, Schwartz has stepped in.
"And that's why, if you see me, I'm helping promote once in a while here and there. I'll pop in and help you out. I know you need to step away more often," Schwartz shared on the podcast.
Tom Schwartz is helping Jax Taylor revamp Jax's Studio City
After Jax noted he would be "stepping away" in a sense from his duties at the bar, he revealed more about how Schwartz would be helping out.
"Until we figure out what we're going to do, I think my goal is to get you a little bit more on board, hopefully in the future, if it's something that you're interested in," Jax said.
Jax also pointed out how Tom's aesthetic sensibilities can contribute to the evolution of Jax's Studio City.
"We're definitely going to be doing a remodel shortly here within the next week or two. Tom's been involved with that because [...] I love Schwartz and Sandys," he shared. "I think the inside, other than the location, the inside was absolutely amazing and he's got a lot of good ideas. And I think you just did an amazing job building such a beautiful place."
"Thanks, dude," Schwartz beamed as Jax continued: "I think you have a lot of really good taste. And I want to incorporate that into the new bar."
What happened to Schwartz & Sandy's?
Schwartz and Sandy’s closed its doors on Dec. 21, 2024, about two years after it opened. On The Valley Season 2 After Show, Tom explained to Jax and Jesse Lally how the financial strain of the bar contributed to its downfall.
“I’m at least proud to say that I can walk away knowing that I put everything I had into that place,” he said. “Almost all of my money. Lord knows I over-leveraged myself. I feel like we really never were fully accepted or embraced by the neighborhood, but I’m f—king proud of that place.”
“I have a newfound sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time,” he explained. “It was like perpetual, constant anxiety — when you’re hemorrhaging money. And you know that this place with your name on the side of the building is not doing as well. Your employees are suffering now. They can’t pay their bills. It’s just a lot.”
-1742865817-q80.webp "RHOA’s Angela Oakley Recalls Separation From Husband Charles Oakley")
