Doors Close at Sullivan’s Irish Pub
The employees were told not to return, and the popular Madison Avenue eatery has been shuttered since Friday.
The lights are on at Sullivan’s Irish Pub, but there’s no one home.
In fact, the doors of the popular Madison Avenue restaurant and pub are shut and locked.
Several large boxes, stuffed with decorations, can be seen through the windows.
The parking lot is empty and a cone blocks the rear entrance on Chesterland Avenue.
Employees were told last Friday not to come into work — and not much else.
It’s not clear whether the business has closed temporarily, or permanently.
The employees don’t know either.
Rich Nedly, who owns the business, did not return several calls seeking comment, and neither did Patrick Sullivan — who sold the business to Nedly.
Sullivan still owns the building.
An Irish-music band scheduled to perform at the restaurant was locked out when they tried to play on Friday.
More than a few customers stopped by during the weekend, then left disappointed.
“(Nedly) handed back the keys (to Sullivan) and walked away,” said a former employee who asked to not be identified.
The restaurant — picked by Lakewood Patch readers as having the best fish fries and the best place to spend St. Patrick’s Day — changed hands earlier this year.
Rick Uldricks
7:04 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I hope they reopen.
jolie12
8:20 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
My whole family loved Sullivan's, we have been going there for years, this is very sad for Lakewood.
Brian Griggs
8:35 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I want my mug!
Brandon Scullion
9:07 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
That is really sad. I didn't go there much but it was a gorgeous place to be.
Perhaps Mr. Sullivan will take the reigns again.
Ryan Reardon
9:37 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Great place and I want my mug too!
Andy Cornwell
9:55 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
It was a great place while Patrick was running the show, but every aspect deteriorated under the new management. It got terrible fast. I hope Patrick can clean up the mess and reopen.
Lisa Mulloy
6:09 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Agree! The new ownership was bad.
jacqueline
10:07 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I hope it reopens a lot of fond memories need to bring the old staff back as well they we awesome..New guys not so much
M-F Schreiber
10:09 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
That's what happens when restaurants change hands. It's hard to be restaurateur in this economy. Maybe Patrick Sullivan can find another businessman to take over. The restaurant has an appealing storefront on Madison Avenue and regulars as well as Irish aficionados should rally Lakewood Alive to find a way to reopen the place.
Dave
10:26 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I have two mugs in there!
Tish Evans
8:54 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
I feel bad for Patrick. I've known him for years and this is not fair. I saw Patrick in April in Nashville, and he seemed happy about the sale. The problem is Pat is great and so were his employees especially Neal. Now all is gone and Dave and I haven't been back since. No Pat, no Neal, no us. Come back Pat we miss you!
kathy Curran
10:27 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
it was a great place when patrick owned it....not very impressed with the *new owners*
James Mars
1:28 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Yeah, as much as I didn't care for Pat, he was MUCH better than the new owners. I can't understand them closing up for good though - they should at least have a closing party - I'm sure it would be massive and amazing.
scdiii
10:30 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Loved it under previous owner- had horrible service 4 out of the 5 time I went this yr (including day before St.Pats) under new owner. Visited 2 weeks ago and fortunately took my mugs home- Sad to see it close- please bring it back!
jim
11:06 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I would like to say "AMEN" to ALL of the previous comments....Besides where else can you get an Irish Wake (Made by the orginal bar tenders) made that good...
Patty Roach
11:22 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
We loved Sullivans a great place to go ............and I also want both of our mugs!
Patty Roach
Will Mannion
11:47 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Was only there a few times, pricey but I loved the atmosphere, and would have gone again, but who knows when and if I'll get the chance
Bill Ahern
12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Bring back Patrick Sullivan and the old staff. It went downhill after it changed hands.
Debra Bysak Sweeney
12:05 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
fun pub, great location, hope the business continues as an irish pub!
Tom Kuzma
12:07 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
It's sad how all the bars & pubs in Lakewood are struggling since the smoking ban .....where are all the nonsmokers at
Renee Lavelle
1:07 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
it was looking pretty bleak from the outside, always looked closed, even when open- Hope they can re invigorate- Love me some boxty!
Kathi Cross
3:43 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Amen, Bill Ahern!
d walter
3:55 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Are ALL of the bars & restaurants struggling since the ban? More importantly, why dont people in this city have the brains to allow businesses to declare "smoking" or "no smoking" at their privately owned establishments. Post a standard sign at the enterance as warning & let adults be stupid if they wish. Also besides the weeds that grow among the sidewalk bricks nothing dresses-up lakewood better than loosers smoking outside. Keep them inside where they get max benefit from 1st & 2nd hand smoke. Its their right!
Brian
4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Why do you think Sullivan sold it? He was more than likely losing money and talked Nedly into buying this place. Hire a real chef and your business will flourish.
Brian
4:04 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
d walter smoking as nothing to do with his business losing money or closing. There are many new restaurants and bars in Lakewood that are doing quite well. It's also my right not to be in an enclosed building with toxins in the air. Smoking should be banned all together. By the way, you should read the following article on Grammar. http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/blog_posts/grammar-rant.
Erik Flynn
9:59 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
It is your right not to be in a building with toxins in the air. Just don't walk through the door!
Steve
5:03 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I feel sorry for the Employee's that received no REAL notice that this place was closing. Kinda like a fly by night operation, be it big or small company. No compassion.
@Brian- You sir are dead wrong on the smoking issue. It is YOU who should be banned. Next thing you will want is no meat on the menu, and no pollution due to cars. I won't even start about the water that YOU bath in....and ends up in Lake Erie, so I can drink it. Ugh...
Brian
2:03 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Do you a little research before blaming smoking on this bar/restaurant closing. Poor management causes businesses to closes. There are several bars and restaurants that have prospered the last several years after the ban went into effect.
Steve, you have no defense but to tell me I should be banned. You don't even know me, but I love your lack of argument. Why do you think you are not allowed to hunt in the city or at Lakewood park. The reason is you put people at harm, this is the same reason why smoking was banned in restaurants and bars, innocent people should be allowed in the same restauarants without the risk of getting sick. Steve, keep puffing on your cigarettes, you will only miss out on your family when you die in your 60's.
d walter
5:18 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Brian, "...smoking as nothing...", Brian you failed to understand my comment. Tom Kuzma suggested that the problem was due to the smoking ban. I asked if anyone could speak about this assertion. I also stated that it should be moot because each owner of a private business should be free to declare the place smoking or no. Im anti-smoking but recognize a thing called the US CONSTITUTION & as a bonus want to get these people off of the sidewalks- its a win-win. The sidewalks are PUBLIC & the business is____________. Youre so exceptional Ill bet you got the correct answer!!! So, to conclude Ill bet if you approached a private business marked "SMOKING" youd keep movin!? Brian may I suggest to you...oh, forget it. BONUS: I spelled a word incorrectly..which one? One more- its altogether.
Brian
2:08 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
dwalter. Don't be the spelling or grammar police, it only shows your ignorance. You understood the sentence.
"declare the place smoking or no" should be "no smoking" not "no" or allowed and not allowed. It's "You're" not "Youre" and "I'll" not "Ill"...get it right!
Lisa Mulloy
6:05 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
My husband and I were not impressed with the new owner or staff. The least you could have done was let the mug club members get their mugs! Thankfully we didn't join the club!
Steve
7:05 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Look at all the comments about people wanting THEIR mugs back. People, get a life, get over it. Think about the one's that lost their liveleyhood, due to bad management, not what they did.
P.S. your precious MUGS are in the alley, pick them up at YOUR convenience.
John M
9:58 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The new management and the service was poor. One of the best collections of spirits and NO ONE behind the bar had a clue or personality. Without John behind the bar the place had no chance.
BSGee
9:47 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
John AND Neil!
Margie
2:17 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I, too, hope someone else reopens it. The new owner had some good ideas, but some bad ones too (senior menu?). The worse idea was getting rid of the staff; Neal and John were sorely missed.
d walter
3:46 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I met a consultant from the UK a few years ago. When she found out I was from Lakewood, OH she told me that of all the Irish pubs in the US (& shed seen many) SULLIVANS was the most authentic. So, with that in mind, and all of these testimonials, whats to become of this joint? Whether Sullivan or another smart operator reopens the customer base seems ready. One thought, I remember NICOS and how it couldnt regain its past glory. But, fans of SULLIVANS definitely remember good times & good service. Two ingredients for success!
Kate
3:43 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
You can't have a bar on Madison that charges those prices. It was extremely over priced. Especially when any other bar within walking distance price's are half that of Sullivan's. Also, everything on their menu was deep fried and expensive. Even their goat cheese on the salad was breaded and fried!
dougmoore
6:14 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Kate, are you referring to before or after ownership changed, or both? Sullivans certainly was a destination place as witnessed by the glowing memories of so many patrons. You dont usually just stop in a true Irish Pub, for many reasons you seek it out. Glad you know of alternatives..Its so nice Lakewood offers choices for everyone!
Kate
2:34 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I am just saying that you have to know your city. You can still have the true Irish Pub feel, atmosphere, great staff, and good food, without over charging. In Lakewood, you need to adjust prices to fit the changing economy. I know that people go into the business to make money, but no one wins when places like this close. It looks horrible for the city and especially Madison Ave. They need more bars like this with character, but you can't charge those prices for the crowds that hang out in that area. While having a different drink special every night, may not be a true Pub thing to do, it is what draws people out in this tough economy. You can't expect hard working people to over pay for a night out when all you are offering is some over priced beer and fried fish.
Erik Flynn
10:12 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
This is a familiar story; Lakewood continues its decades long decline in population as the rust belt continues to erode. Looking for problems in management or the menu here is a mistake. The true problem is that there are fewer and fewer jobs every day as the work inevitably moves toward cheaper labor markets.
Todd McCaskey
2:07 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I was always jealous that my brother Jon had his own mug at Sullivans. So, last time I was there, I ordered 3 mugs (1 for myself, 1 for my wife, & 1 for my brother's fiance). About every 2 weeks I would call to see if my mugs came in, because I was planning to give this mug to my brother's soon to be wife on their wedding day. Two months went by & my mugs never came in & they never arrived in time for the wedding. Sadly, the doors to Sullivan's closed before I ever received my mugs. That really chaps my a*@! I paid $75 for mugs that I never received & never had any follow-up correspondence from either Nedley or the Sullivan's staff.
Perhaps either Nedley or Patrick Sullivan (as he owns the building & probably still has a set of keys) could post a sign in the window stating a date/time that customers could come pick up their mugs. It's the least you could do for your most loyal customers.
Todd McCaskey
2:08 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Some of you might not totally understand, and I'm guessing that you probably don't own your own personalized Sullivan's mug. Or maybe you're not Irish. Anyways, there was a point in time when that mug was my brother's best friend. That mug was there in the good times for all of our celebrations & even during the bad times when things were tough...thru thick n thin. That mug was a part of our family...as much as a dog is part of a family. If you weren't fortunate enough to own a dog, then that mug was "man's best friend".
So, do you think I want to receive the 3 mugs I ordered and paid for? And do you think my brother, Jon, wants his mug back?
Doug
7:01 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
How do we get our mugs, I have 3
Mary Lou Lardi
2:19 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Just found out that Sullivan's was closed. I live in Conneaut, so would only go there three to four times a year, but I have two mugs, as well. What is up with that?? Mary Lou