Neighbors hatch idea for Hawk’s Nest Sandwich Co., now open in Heath

From left: Hawk’s Nest owners TJ and Ronda Land and Melissa and Brian Garrett.

ROCKWALL, TX (May 4, 2021) Folks are flocking to the Hawk’s Nest – a family-owned artisan sandwich shop that recently opened at 207 Laurence Drive in Heath (near City Hall and the fire station).

“We are so excited about being a new spot for sandwiches, coffee, breakfast and frozen custard,” said Heath resident Ronda Land, who owns the eatery along with her husband, Chef TJ Land, and neighbors Brian and Melissa Garrett.

TJ has an extensive background opening up an array of upscale restaurants in Dallas. He and Ronda met 12 years ago when Ronda opened a restaurant in Frisco. Brian is a military veteran who started his career in the food and beverage industry, and Melissa spent 20 years as an executive in hotels, restaurants, and casinos. While quarantining during the pandemic, the Lands and the Garretts spent many nights enjoying drinks and conversation in their driveways.

“The beautiful thing that came out of this pandemic is that we began to really know our neighbors. They became great friends and ‘sanity savers’. After being frustrated with the industry during COVID, we thought we would be much happier opening up our own place in our hometown,” Ronda said. “This menu and concept has been in TJ’s head for ten years, and with all four of us having a background in the industry, we decided to go for it.”

“We met the family that owned this land and built this house 120 years ago, in 1909,” Ronda added, pointing to the cover and page 12 in “Images of America,” a photographic history of Heath penned by none other than our own Blue Ribbon News editor, Austin Wells. “This used to be a cotton gin.”

The Hawk’s Next is currently open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with plans to extend hours in the summer. Pictured are Brooklyn, Rhythm, Charlee, Steele and Jolee Land and Tommy and Sophia Garrett.

The Hawk’s Nest menu is available on their Facebook page and website, and includes specialty sandwiches like Hot Ham & Brie, Deviled Egg Salad, Grilled Cheeses, the Margherita and Texas Cubano. They offer gluten free options and Keto bread is on the way.

By Dawn Redig, originally published in Blue Ribbon News, May 2021 print edition and edited for online publication. Courtesy photos.