Kate O'Connor's changes hands. But the new owners don't want to change a thing.
Amanda Budreau and Mike Aurenz weren’t looking to become restaurateurs when they noticed on Facebook last summer that Kate O’Connor’s Irish Pub at 415 E. Michigan St., New Carlisle, was for sale.
It turns out the founders and longtime owners ― Steve and Mary Brooks ― were looking to step away from the business that they spent more than a year converting into a classic Irish pub before opening in 2007.
Living in New Carlisle, Budreau and Aurenz were already fans of the cozy pub, having been regular customers for at least six years. And they were looking for a side venture to operate together.
But both already had careers ― Budreau is a civil engineer who works for Lawson-Fisher Associates and Aurenz is project manager for Navarre Services ― so they weren’t interested in a side venture that needed a lot of TLC.
That wasn’t and isn’t the case at Kate O’Connor’s.
After months of discussion and waiting for the transfer of the establishment’s liquor license, the two officially took over ownership of the pub on March 6, just over a week before the kickoff of St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
“It was baptism by fire,” Mike admits of the crowds that came in for the holiday festivities.
But the new owners had plenty of experienced help. The Brooks are giving the new owners as much assistance as necessary to ensure a smooth transition, and the experienced staff also is staying to ensure the prized pub continues to operate smoothly.
That’s what everyone wanted.
“The entire staff stayed except for one person who wanted to retire,” says Mike. “We don’t plan on changing anything. It’s going to stay exactly the way you see it.”
Named after their two children, the Brooks built the cozy pub to resemble one that might be found in their native Ireland. The two met in Cork, Ireland, but eventually moved here for jobs; the pub was Steve’s dream.
With a fireplace, lots of dark wood and walls decorated with images of Irish poets and writers as well as the Irish countryside, the Brooks know what an Irish pub should look like and how it should feel ― warm and inviting.
The 95-seat pub is already a success because of its charm, its employees and its tasty, affordable fare. And Mike believes it should only continue to thrive by sticking to what made it successful and the fact that so much development is planned for the western side of the town.
General Motors and Samsung SDI are partnering on a massive plant that is expected to begin producing batteries for EV vehicles in the next few years, and Amazon is reportedly interested in building a data center nearby.
With a cozy environment, an experienced staff and comfort foods, Kate O’Connor’s future continues to look bright.
Prices range from $6 to $13 for appetizers, $13 to $18 for hearty sandwiches and burgers and $16 to $25 for entrees with lots of salads and soup options besides a full bar that includes Irish standards such as Guiness and Smithwick’s, among others.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Have you heard
After an expansive renovation, the Java Cafe on the ground floor of the Barnes & Thornburg building in downtown South Bend has reopened to include a new cocktail bar and small plate restaurant called Sidebar. Hours at the Java shop are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Hours at the Sidebar are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The Barnes & Thornburg building is at 201 S. Main St. Stay tuned for additional details.
Email Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: New owners at Kate O'Connor's want to keep the Irish pub the way it is
