Kitty O’Reillys Irish Pub, on Oak Street in Sturgeon Bay, has led the revitalization of the city’s Westside since it took over what had been The Stein. In its 10 years, the pub has become a popular spot for lunch, dinner and drinks.
Amy and Buster Crook met while working in Milwaukee at BonTon, the parent company of Younkers. Amy Briggs is a Sturgeon Bay native; her parents ran Briggsville Garden nursery and landscaping, which helps explain the extensive plantings in the outdoor terrace at the pub.
They had limited to no restaurant experience but they knew what they wanted — an Irish pub that offered a lively venue which welcomed young and old, families and singles
An early vendor looked around their new space and offered his considered opinion: “You guys are nuts.”
But they have been operating for 10 years and have staff who have stayed with them for 8 or 9 years. This summer they are on the second year of using the J-1 program to bring foreign students to work in the U.S. for the summer. They have 11, from Eastern Europe and a few from Colombia. They bought a house for them.
“That has helped us tremendously,” said Amy, “with hosting and bussing and dishwashing. And it’s amazing to see how fast their English improves in a month. It is a great experience for our American employees, and for our son, Jameson.”
My wife Keli and I have been going there pretty much since it opened. Kitty’s is a comfortable place — the food has always been good to excellent, and the huge Bloody Marys are a great way to start a Saturday or Sunday.
When Buster and Amy saw The Stein for sale, they wanted it immediately. The building has heritage — it is 115-plus years old — but more important, it had outdoor space, although it was a five-foot drop from the pub doorway.
All it needed was dirt, said the landscaper’s daughter. Truckloads later the top level patio was a direct step out. It’s popular in the relatively warm months and overhead heaters, plus some good drinks, can keep it comfortable from mid-May to mid-October
They have dressed the outdoors up with plants and flowers, lots of them.
“It’s in my blood,” said Amy, who likes to garden, and is accustomed to the challenges of a relatively short, chilly planting season in Door County. She has already replaced several plants in what passed for spring in 2019.
Kitty’s is open seven days a week all year long. Kitty’s, the Madison Avenue Wine shop and Sonny’s with its great view of the harbor and the shipyard, now offer plenty of incentive to cross the bay.
Amy and Buster Crook met while working in Milwaukee at BonTon, the parent company of Younkers. Amy Briggs is a Sturgeon Bay native; her parents ran Briggsville Garden nursery and landscaping, which helps explain the extensive plantings in the outdoor terrace at the pub.
They had limited to no restaurant experience but they knew what they wanted — an Irish pub that offered a lively venue which welcomed young and old, families and singles
An early vendor looked around their new space and offered his considered opinion: “You guys are nuts.”
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| Jameson with Amy and Buster Crook at Kitty's |
“That has helped us tremendously,” said Amy, “with hosting and bussing and dishwashing. And it’s amazing to see how fast their English improves in a month. It is a great experience for our American employees, and for our son, Jameson.”
My wife Keli and I have been going there pretty much since it opened. Kitty’s is a comfortable place — the food has always been good to excellent, and the huge Bloody Marys are a great way to start a Saturday or Sunday.
When Buster and Amy saw The Stein for sale, they wanted it immediately. The building has heritage — it is 115-plus years old — but more important, it had outdoor space, although it was a five-foot drop from the pub doorway.
All it needed was dirt, said the landscaper’s daughter. Truckloads later the top level patio was a direct step out. It’s popular in the relatively warm months and overhead heaters, plus some good drinks, can keep it comfortable from mid-May to mid-October
They have dressed the outdoors up with plants and flowers, lots of them.
“It’s in my blood,” said Amy, who likes to garden, and is accustomed to the challenges of a relatively short, chilly planting season in Door County. She has already replaced several plants in what passed for spring in 2019.
Kitty’s is open seven days a week all year long. Kitty’s, the Madison Avenue Wine shop and Sonny’s with its great view of the harbor and the shipyard, now offer plenty of incentive to cross the bay.
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