LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Shenanigans Irish Grille, a longtime staple of Louisville's Deer Park neighborhood, is closing indefinitely after struggling with COVID-19 operating restrictions.
The service industry has been "hit hard" by the latest crackdown, a statewide ban on indoor dining that went into effect Friday, the owners of the neighborhood pub said on Facebook. They said they had "no choice" but stop operating altogether starting Thursday.
Edward Kupper purchased the building in 2002 in order to convert it to Shenanigans. He said it's been a labor of love ever since, and his heart breaks to make this decision.
"It weighed on me heavy," Kupper said, "but just to have us outside only in 30 degree weather, we couldn't stay open."
Shenanigans started with six employees, and over the years it has grown to a large staff that is more like a family. Kupper choked back tears as he talked about his team.
"It's tough. And when I had to come in here at 5:30 last night and tell 23 employees that they don't have a job, it became very emotional. For them and for me," he said.
The restaurant was hanging on through the pandemic, but the added restrictions prohibiting all indoor dining for at least three weeks made it financially impossible to continue, Kupper said.
The owner is meeting with the bank to see if there is any possibility Shenanigans could reopen in the future with financial assistance. However, Kupper said, the governor would have to lift restrictions and allow restaurants and bars to open at 100 percent capacity.
"The longer he holds us out, probably the closer we are to disaster," he said.
Shenanigans is thanking its dedicated customers and the community that has become a family. Kupper asked for everyone's hopes and prayers that they might reopen someday.
"This decision was made with a heavy heart, because it's not only us, but our employees that will be affected as well," according to the restaurant's Facebook post. "Please come visit us for carry out (or outdoor dining if you’re brave!) these next two days to help support our staff (cash is always appreciated!), reduce our inventory, and help us make this a little less painful."
Shenanigans is on Norris Place near the Bellarmine University campus and has been a hangout for students and Highlands residents.
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