New Irish pub will replace Kildare’s

One Irish pub out. One Irish pub in.

Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub, a family-owned restaurant based in Charlotte, is set to open at 206 W. Franklin St., the space previously occupied by Kildare’s Irish Pub, in early May.

Kevin Marcuse, owner of the pub, said he had been looking to expand within North Carolina for a while, and he had always been attracted to the Chapel Hill market.

“Chapel Hill provides a great opportunity for our concept to be successful for many years,” he said.

When Kildare’s closed on March 14 after the owner failed to pay rent on the space, Marcuse found his opportunity.

“We had been actively looking for a space on Franklin Street, and when Kildare’s closed, the opportunity to bring Fitzgerald’s to Chapel Hill presented itself,” Marcuse said.

Andrew Dawson, former managing partner of the Chapel Hill Kildare’s, was in the process of buying the Chapel Hill franchise when it shut down. He said he is no longer pursuing franchising the restaurant.

Plans for the new restaurant’s opening are progressing quickly.

Marcuse said he does not plan to make any structural renovations to the building.

“However, we want to do our best to replicate what the Fitzgerald’s in Charlotte looks like,” he said. “The decorations, color scheme, etc. will mirror the original Fitzgerald’s restaurant.”

The new restaurant will offer the same beer selection and menu — which includes items ranging from burgers to corned beef and cabbage.

Marcuse said the only difference between the two restaurants will be their interaction with the community.

“We plan to have loyalty cards that will provide college students with certain discounts,” he said.

He said he wants the restaurant to become a part of the community and reach out to everyone — not just students.

UNC freshman Joy Sabattus said she thinks it will be interesting to see another restaurant open on Franklin Street.

“If Fitzgerald’s seems like a unique restaurant, I will definitely try it out,” she said.

Marcuse said managing staff will be arriving in Chapel Hill within the week.

On Monday, Fitzgerald’s hired a general manager, who is also a business partner for the restaurant.

And Marcuse said the restaurant is currently hiring for all other positions, including bartenders and servers. Applications for employment will be available on the restaurant’s website.

The pub will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

“We have the kind of setting that will do well in Chapel Hill,” Marcuse said.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.