Richard Veregge and Josh Bumb, co-owners of recently opened Buda restaurant-bar concept Nate’s, admit they probably could have opened their business sooner, but the pair wanted to put their personal touch on each aspect of their newest venture.

Veregge and Bumb built the business by hand—including the bar, furniture and the soon-to-be-completed deck that will nearly double the business’ square footage.

“It’s not just some chain,” Veregge said of the pair’s efforts to give the restaurant a unique feel.

Nate’s opened in June and serves beer, wine, coffee, sandwiches, salads, pasta and baked goods.

The restaurant’s food is supplied by Crema, an Austin-based bakery. Bumb said he and Veregge have heard from some customers that they want to see more dining options in town. The need for a larger food menu was one of customers’ top critiques of Nate’s when it opened, he said.

“We immediately knew the demand really, really is here for food in town,” Bumb said. “There are some great restaurants in town, naturally, but with the growth it’s sort of like Austin.”

To that end, the pair are working on a new pizza restaurant to occupy the space that housed Nonna Gina’s on Main Street. Bumb and Veregge said when the pizzeria opens later this year it will deliver to Nate’s, giving customers an additional dining option.

Later this year they also plan to open a bicycle shop next door to Nate’s at the Buda Mill & Grain complex.

Nate’s is named for the former owner of the building, which was once part of a thriving mill. In 2010, the family who owned the mill property began work on redeveloping it to become a retail hub in downtown Buda. 

Veregge, who lives in Buda, said he expects the deck to be finished by the end of the summer. The duo will likely hold a grand opening for the restaurant when the deck is complete, he said.

“That deck is so important that there’s just no reason to do anything until [it is finished],” Veregge said.

When it is complete, the 2,400-square-foot deck will accommodate customers and feature a small stage for live music.

Bumb said he believes Nate’s, the pizzeria and bicycle shop will fill a void in the city.

“We don’t think we’re going to be taking business so much as providing a place where other people might like to go,” Bumb said. “It’s handcrafted cocktails and a nice wine selection with craft beer. That wasn’t an option here in town.”