Press "Enter" to skip to content

Something old, something new: Ganly’s reopens with ownership change

After shutting its doors and remaining closed for seven months, Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Lower Heidelberg Township reopened last week under new ownership.

But while Ganly’s returns with some notable changes, including a renovated patio and interior as well as new menu items, it was equally important that some things remained the same, said managing partner Miranda Reedy.

“It’s really a beautiful thing because it’s integrated — old and new — and we’re such a family here,” Reedy said.

“I want all the old customers to know we didn’t take anything away. I feel like we just enhanced it.”

What’s different at Ganly’s?

Among the most readily apparent improvements are the updated patio complete with fireplace, along with the addition of a second bar in the dining area.

“We put a fireplace outside and did the stone wall because in the summer you have guests coming from Blue Marsh, so that’s gonna be a huge attraction,” Reedy said, taking a seat in one of the oversized booths in the dining room.

“Inside, no one ever wanted to sit over here. It was always dark. Everybody wanted to be in the pub. So, we put a cocktail bar over here and it just gives this place such life.”

The more things change…

Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant is located at 500 Brownsville Road in Lower Heidelberg Township. (Andrew Kulp)

To maintain a feeling of continuity, however, Ganly’s retained about half its wait and kitchen staff, Reedy estimated, including head cook Fredi Martinez, who’s worked in the restaurant 14 years.

Reedy also worked closely with the previous owner, Dino DiMariano, for the reopening, she said.

“He helps me all the time,” Reedy said. “They’re big shoes to fill. This place is something special for the community, so we want to keep it that way.”

One detail that hasn’t changed a bit is the Irish theme, from the atmosphere to the whiskey and beer selection — including a special Ganly’s Gaelic Hoppy Red Ale produced by nearby Schaylor Brewing Company — on down to the food.

“Bangers and mash,” said Reedy, referring to the well-known entree of sausages and mashed potatoes with onion gravy. “You have to keep those, because that’s what the people like.

“That’s what they’re looking for when they come to an Irish bar.”

Changing of the guard

Ganly’s ceased operations under DiMariano in May, but the Reedy family, understanding the establishment’s importance to the area, moved quickly when the property went up for sale.

In August, Reedy’s parents and silent partners, Deana and Todd, completed the purchase of the pub at the intersection of Brownsville and State Hill roads for $700,000.

Reedy, a 2015 Berks Catholic graduate, has lived down the street from Ganly’s her whole life.

“This is my neighborhood restaurant, too,” she said. “When it went up for sale, my family was like, ‘We have to get it and we have to keep it Ganly’s because Ganly’s is such an awesome thing for our community here.’”

The young entrepreneur

While Reedy may seem young to be running a restaurant, she’s far from unqualified.

After high school, she obtained her degree in hospitality management from Penn State Berks and has worked in the food service industry at notable Berks County destinations such as Coastal Grill, On The Border and Tino’s Pizzeria & Bar.

“I am a little young, but it’s good — I have the energy to keep this place going,” Reedy said, observing a restaurant the size of Ganly’s is a “beast” to operate. “I drink a lot of coffee, and sometimes you just have to take a breath. My staff has been so great. Everybody handles it really well.”

Reedy also spent time working for her parents’ business, Berks Western Telecom, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but said she is excited to be back in the restaurant industry “full-bore.”

Knowing the audience

Customers are already returning to Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in droves.

A little more than a week into its reopening, the return of Ganly’s has been well-received by the public, Reedy said.

“It’s astronomical,” she said. “I didn’t even know how much people love this place.”

The response is likely owed at least in part to the reverence management is showing for the pub’s legacy, and understanding Ganly’s didn’t need a total makeover, just somebody to lead it into the next generation.

“I kept half the kitchen staff, half new kitchen staff,” Reedy said. “It’s half the old waiters and waitresses. The menu is a lot of the old menu with a couple different options that we liked.

“It still has a special charm here.”


Source: Berkshire mont

Be First to Comment

    Leave a Reply