The “Emerald” of Downtown
Jerk Riley’s Irish Pub Set to Open in September
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Driving down Greenup Avenue one day, Bill Bare and his wife, Christy Bare, could not help but admire the old C.R. Thomas building and notice the “For Sale” sign tacked to its window. Christy Bare had always loved that building – the history ran deep within the foundations and the location deep in the heart of Ashland. What started as simply an admiration for the building, soon turned into a full-fledged realized dream: as Jerk Riley’s Irish Pub is set to open there in the coming months.
Soon after that first day, Bill Bare secretly went to the auction for the building with only his dad in tow. The two sat in the auction, watching the bids pass by, never once thinking of buying the building, until Bare’s father tapped him on the leg. Thinking his father meant for him to bid, Bare bid and won the auction and the building was soon to be theirs.
“We decided to move forward on the remodel, get it, and bring it [the building] back to its glory days,” commented Bill Bare.
The building, in terrible shape when the Bares came into possession of it, has since undergone a ton of work and rehab to become the shining pub it is today. Starting in the fall of last year, after finishing a few other projects, the Bares set to work giving the beloved building a much-needed face-lift and workshopping an idea for what they would open there.
“Because of the way it was built, and because of what it has been in the past, an Irish Pub was the natural progression,” expressed Bare.
Then came the name: Jerk Riley’s, which came from Bill Bare’s real life grandfather, who was a second generation American from an Irish Family. The original “Jerk,” carried his nickname after his attitude and quick wit, so much that the nickname is even carved onto his gravestone. Jerk was also a businessman, growing up in the Huntington, WV area and always going by Jerk everywhere he went.
Christy Bare, the original lover of the building, soon set to work getting together a small menu and crafting a bar scene that Jerk would be proud of. Bare plans to incorporate both American favorites and Irish classics into the menu. Some classics they will feature include shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash and many more.
The bar also plans to be a venue for live music and karaoke in the future, specifically highlighting local artists and musicians. “We are going to incorporate a lot of local people and local musicians, because there are not a lot of places around here to do live music. We have a lot of talent around here,” explained Christy Bare. The pub will also feature darts, pinball machines, and pool tables.
The Bares cannot wait to welcome some of their regulars from their other restaurants and bring back many of the staff that have worked for them before as well. Truly, the pub will be an “Emerald” in our blooming downtown. The Bares will be holding an official grand opening this Thursday, Sept. 12. The official ribbon cutting will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14.
