Culhane's Irish Pub to open second location with financing from American Momentum Bank
08/24/2018
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 24, 2018) -- Culhane’s Irish Pub, an authentic Irish pub, family-owned by four Irish sisters and made famous by The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, has secured the former Tilted Kilt location in Southside for its second Jacksonville location. The new location, which is double the size of the original pub, is expected to open in early October.
American Momentum Bank’s Small Business Administration (SBA) Division is financing the expansion with a multi-million-dollar small business loan. The loan allowed Culhane’s to purchase the 8,700-square-foot property, located at 9720 Deer Lake Court in Jacksonville, and cover the costs of renovations, equipment and fixtures, as well as working capital to get the second location up and running.
“It’s been a dream of ours since we opened our first location to be the property owner,” said Mary Jane Culhane, who owns Culhane’s Irish Pub with her three sisters. “Being from Ireland, property ownership is a proud accomplishment, and when we saw the former Tilted Kilt was for sale we knew it was the perfect opportunity to expand our brand in a very active and vibrant community. We are beyond excited!”
Jeannine M. Balanky, Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer for American Momentum Bank and her team helped the Culhanes navigate the SBA loan process.
“As four Irish immigrants, we had additional red tape to go through during the loan process, and American Momentum Bank made that process seamless,” said Mary Jane Culhane. “We closed on the loan within three months of meeting with their team, which blew us away. Without Jeannine, I do not think we would have acquired this location.”
The Culhane sisters, Lynda, Michelle, Mary Jane and Áine are the first generation in their family to move from Limerick, Ireland, to the United States. They opened Culhane’s Irish Pub in 2005 in Atlantic Beach, where it serves as an anchor tenant in the Atlantic Village Shopping Center. The restaurant features traditional Irish fare in a family-friendly environment, as well as a full bar with European beers, local crafts, and upscale wines, whiskeys and bourbons.
Culhane’s honors their Irish heritage with lively events such as traditional Irish music, dancing and appearances by famous Celtic bands, as well as catering to the intellectual crowd with Trivia. The new location will have thirty big-screen TVs, and continue to be the International Sports Headquarters opening up as early as 7:30 a.m. for all English Premier League Soccer and Six Nations Rugby matches.
“It was an honor to help the Culhane sisters live out their dream,” said Balanky. “They each have different strengths and abilities but the same goal, which is what makes them so unique and successful. I have no doubt that this will be the first of many expansions, and we look forward to a long-term business relationship.”
Culhane’s new location will feature weekend brunch, lunch and dinner options, and a large private room to accommodate corporate events, parties and sports watch parties complete with TV projectors for presentations.
Culhane’s Irish Pub was featured on Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2010. The recipes for their popular Guinness Beef Stew appeared in celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s cookbook, The Funky Finds in Flavortown, and Blarney Lamb Sliders on Late Night Legends!
