A popular restaurant in Sherman has been sold to new owners.

Paul Evans opened Fire and Ale in 2012 at 135 Illini Blvd. in Sherman. For Evans, it was a longtime goal to start a restaurant from the ground up.

“I started bartending after college,” he said, “so the bar and restaurant business was always something that interested me.”

The new owners, Bill Hahn, Steve Fickas and Calvin Kirk, took over the restaurant on May 1.

Fickas says he and the other owners were looking for a local investment opportunity when the chance to purchase the restaurant arose. He adds that he has long been a fan of Fire and Ale.

“The food’s great, and so is the service and atmosphere,” he said. “Paul did a good job with it.”

Fickas says there may be some changes on the horizon, such as an updated menu.

Evans says he’s confident the new owners will fare well.

“They’re three local people who really care about Sherman and have been a staple there for years,” he said.

Still, Evans jokes that selling the restaurant felt like he was selling his child.

“That place will always be a part of me,” he said.