A reader writes in today regarding Get Happy Pub, the Second & South gastropub that was foolhardy enough to sever itself from the white beast that is the Kildare’s chain:
“Get Happy Pub was a really really great family-owned and operated atmosphere. I’d been a patron of Kildare’s Irish Pub for years and well, I have to admit that GH was just a way better environment. Good food, good times – things that Kildare’s lost sight of ages ago thanks to Magrogan’s constant bloodlust for power and screwing people over.”
We’re hearing that the shutdown occurred when Kildare’s took their original liquor license back, after talks between the two sides apparently broke down. We’ll be following up on this in a bit, but in the meantime, we also gather that Get Happy, during its short tenure, accrued a crew of loyal regulars who’d like to see the place re-open as soon as possible. Given that this is an independently-owned South Street business in a time where these are a very endangered species, we’d have to concur. More to come…
After the jump, the Get Happy proprietors’ message to friends and family…
Official statement from Paul & Christine:
To Our Valued Guests and Friends,
Get Happy Pub and Restaurant was forced to close on Wednesday, April 8th when Dave Magrogan and the Kildare’s group came and took the liquor license that we were operating under. When we refused to sign a questionable agreement written by Dave, the “deal” was off.
We apologize for the abrupt closing! Be assured that the Lauriello family is working hard to re-open as soon as we can to continue to serve our friends and guests. We appreciate the support during our first 3 months of operation. The local support from the neighborhood allows us to continue the quest towards independence from Dave Magrogan & Kildares.
We hope that shortly we will be able to spread the Get Happy Spirit once again in the Society Hill Neighborhood!
Paul & Christine Lauriello
Email us: gethappypub@gmail.com
Paul & Christine,
Those of us who are loyal supporters of Get Happy can’t wait to see you open again. To hear that you were being forced into questionable circumstances by the prior owners is saddening. You have worked so hard to make Get Happy an integral part of the community. If there is anything the community can do for you, please speak up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and just let us know when you reopen, we will be there.
I hope Paul & Christine are able to reopen ASAP. They truly are nice people. It’s a shame Magrogan is such a scum bag. Ever meet anyone who liked him? I haven’t. Not one of his employees respects him because he is a small man with a small mind. Kildare’s is nothing but another Irish-themed bar that looks like the rest of them. Does my Guinness taste any better because the stool I’m sitting on came from Ireland? No…but that probably has something to do w/ why my Guinness is $6! No one cares about an “authentic Irish experience”. They just want good food and decently priced beer; neither of which Kildare’s delivers.
And to prove my point about Kildare’s “authentic Irish pub” being anything but, here’s a link to an “authentic Irish pub” that took me less than 1 minute to find in Minnesota: http://www.kipspub.com/photos-kips-pub.asp
Click on the pics…looks JUST like a Kildares. It’s a kit, you see. From the copper top over the bar, to the same type of lettering used all around. You’re a fraud, Magrogan.