Thistle and Thorne restaurant/tattoo shop opens in downtown Panama City

PANAMA CITY – Thistle and Thorne is more than downtown panama city newest restaurant. It’s a joint venture that offers delicious brunches and, wait,…tattoos.

Thistle and Thorne opened on April 27 and offers delicious brunch fare with The Prominent Goat, a speakeasy tattoo parlor.

Owner Sierra Latham opened Thistle and Thorne in downtown Panama City on April 27.  The restaurant offers brunch options, and a speakeasy tattoo parlor is tucked away in the back.

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Owner and tattoo artist Sierra Latham came up with the idea of open a business in the area thanks to a last-minute decision with his partner, Lauren Barnaby. They floated the idea of ​​opening a tattoo parlor but wanted to join it with a concept where the community could have the best of both worlds – and that’s where a restaurant was born.

“It was an idea that evolved through a compromise with the community to have something fun that everyone could enjoy,” Latham said. “I knew just having a tattoo shop wouldn’t meet most people’s needs, so we wanted something in this space that would compliment everyone.”

Thistle and Thorne recently opened in downtown Panama City.  Executive Chef Eric Rickards cookie and gravy is a menu favorite.

Located at 304 Harrison Ave., the restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while The Prominent Goat operates by appointment only. Additionally, Thistle and Thorne’s opening hours extend to dinner hours on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Executive Chef Eric Rickards prepares the flavors of southern and coastal cuisine in the kitchen. All brunch offerings are served with roasted red potatoes and brunch beans, in addition to the flavors of the wine options.

Rickards said one popular dish is blackened alligator frittata which includes cageless eggs whipped with cream, holy trinity mixed vegetables, blackened alligator, mozzarella, balsamic glaze and a drizzle of fresh cream.

“Since opening, we’ve been very busy and sold out most meals each day,” Rickards said. “It’s amazing to see the outpouring of support from the community has been so great.”

Latham said she thought of the restaurant’s name based on elements of her favorite places she had traveled, and with Scotland being her most recent destination, she chose to reference the national flower of the country, the thistle. She wanted to add to the name and created a column of botanical words and associated it with thorne.

Hidden at the back of Thistle and Thorne is The Prominent Goat, a small tattoo studio that follows a speakeasy concept.  Owner Sierra Latham offers tattoo services by appointment.

Hidden at the back of the restaurant is The Prominent Goat, a small tattoo studio that follows a speakeasy concept.

Latham said she originally planned to open the business in December, but had to push the date back due to licensing issues. Now that it’s open, she hopes her business will become a place that evolves through a supportive community.

She said development plans are underway to help her businesses grow in the town center and in the local community at large. Additionally, his team plans to hold frequent community-focused events and donate proceeds to local charities.

“We just want to be part of a community where we create an atmosphere for everyone together,” Latham said. “We just want to have a safe space, and we wanted to be clear about our values ​​and let people know they’re welcome here.”

Laura J. Boyer