Tom Schwartz is SUR-ving up a surprising update on where he and former BFF and business partner Tom Sandoval stand today after they had to close their L.A. bar Schwartz & Sandy's.
As it turns out, the Vanderpump Rules alums' decades-long friendship has gotten "a little more complicated" since their most recent business venture failed, according to the reality star.
"It put a lot of tension on our friendship," Schwartz admitted during BravoTV.com's The Valley After Show April 16. "The financial aspect really put our friendship to the test. Unfortunately, it almost destroyed our friendship at one point. But I have closure."
But despite pouring nearly all his money into the now-closed establishment—which shut its doors in November after two years—Schwartz isn't holding any grudges.
"He's family for me," the 42-year-old added. "I will always love Tom Sandoval, but of course I have some deep-rooted frustrations still. But not holding onto that s--t."
Although the Toms aren't as tight as they once were, Schwartz has no regrets about the business
“I’m at least proud to say that I can walk away knowing that I put everything I had into that place,” he noted. “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.”
Todd Williamson/Bravo
And the TomTom co-owner is happy to leave the stress of Schwartz & Sandy's—not to mention Scandoval—behind him.
“I have a newfound sense of peace that I haven’t felt in a long time,” Schwartz said. “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.”
“I think I was too soft before that bar," the former SUR-ver added. "If anything, now I feel like I have so much more life experience. I have more grit. I feel like I have just a newfound respect and appreciation for life. I just feel like I’m growing in so many ways. I don’t know if it shows through my actions, but I can feel it.”
Catch Schwartz on The Valley Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo. In the meantime, keep reading to look back at the biggest scandals to ever rock VPR.
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