After traveling around the country, selling art at festivals for 15 years, Barbara and Pete Swift have now lived at the Glades RV Resort full time, for six years. “We love this area so much that we decided to stay,” says Barb, “My brother, Mike Vincent, had a pizza restaurant 40 years ago in the Detroit area. Pete and I both worked for him. We were just kids then and never thought we would end up married. Mike set us up, planned a dinner with mutual friends and the rest is history.” In December, they opened their new restaurant, Grumpy’s Pizza Pub located at Glades RV Resort. They even offer delivery services for residents within the park.

“Mike had really begun missing the pizza business, and dreamed of opening a full restaurant featuring his pizza. After years of talking about it we decided to go for it! There couldn’t be a more beautiful setting for our restaurant than the restaurant at the Glades RV Resort,” says Barb, “It’s right on the Coloosahatchie River. The view is breath taking. The building is large and has a country charm. The gorgeous stained glass windows and a bar that is over 100 years old makes it extra special.”

Self-proclaimed foodies, Barb and Pete, would seek out the best and most interesting places to eat during their travels. Always fascinated with sampling the specialties each local restaurant had to offer. “We love to go to the famous chefs restaurants, and then try to duplicate the dishes at home.”

She goes on to say, “Pizza is one of our favorite foods. We have eaten pizza all over the country. Our pizza at Grumpy’s is a bit of all our favorites put into one. We can’t stop at just pizza, because pasta dishes go hand and hand with pizza. So at Grumpy’s you’ll be able to choose your favorite pasta and homemade sauce from marinara, rich meat sauce, alfredo, or vodka sauce and create your own dish by adding toppings.” Grumpy’s also serves amazing dinner salads and toasted subs with all homemade ingredients. They even have wings, appetizers, and delicious homemade desserts.

Barb say, “If your looking for a little entertainment, come listen and dance with our house band ‘County Line’ on Saturday nights, karaoke on Tuesday nights and special guest entertainment on other nights periodically.”

I asked them where they came up with the name for their new business, and Barb giggled, “When people see our sign they almost always ask, so who’s Grumpy? Pete says it’s ME.” She says, “Pete’s a great guy, but sometimes he gets a bit grumpy. At a party last summer, Pete was frustrated while trying to fix a computer problem with this LED screen that synchronized with the music. At the party we all were trying to come up with a name for the restaurant. Pete was grumbling and I called him Grumpy. My friends jumped in with no hesitation and claimed Grumpy’s as our name. It was unanimous! It stuck!”

Grumpy’s Pizza Pub will be open 7 days a week, from 2:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m., and until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. There is a Happy Hour Special at Grumpy’s Pizza Pub, every day from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., where you can order a small one-topping pizza and two drafts for $12.00!

Also, every other Saturday morning, Barb, a very talented and accomplished artist, will be teaching beginning watercolor classes at the restaurant. “I always have to have art in my life. Either painting or cooking. It’s all creative after all. The view is inspiring and we have a lovely paver brick patio overlooking the river. Perfect for plein aire painting,” explains Barb.

Grumpy’s Pizza Pub is located in the Glades RV Resort at 1682 Indian Hills Drive in Moore Haven, and can be reached by phone at 863-983-0555.