Newark’s Kildare’s quietly closes its doors

Kildare’s Irish Pub quietly closed its doors in Newark’s Main Street Galleria this weekend, just weeks before University of Delaware students return from summer break.

Employees reportedly were informed of the decision on Saturday.

A sign posted on the door of the restaurant states, “All good things must come to an end and unfortunately its time for us to close our doors one last time on August 8th 2015.”

Peter Breslow, a spokesman for restaurant owner Dave Magrogan Group, confirmed Monday morning that Kildare’s would not be reopening today.

He said the company is now looking to sell the eatery to a potential franchisee.

“The Dave Magrogan Group’s core business is currently focusing on our more profitable restaurant brands, and this location no longer meets our criteria,” he said via email. “We do believe it would be a successful location for an owner/operator, but it no longer fits our objectives as a restaurant company.”

Breslow referred further questions to company owner Dave Magrogan.

A woman who answered the phone at Dave Magrogan Group’s office in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said Magrogran was not immediately available for comment.

Newark city spokesman and Downtown Newark Partnership administrator Ricky Nietubicz said the closing came as a surprise even though rumors had been swirling for days.

“There had been some turnover in management recently, but business seemed to be as strong as what was typically there,” he said. “Closing in the interim does seem strange, but they must have some reason behind it. Hopefully, they have good luck in finding a franchisee.”

Kildare’s reportedly advertised a half-off sale on its Instagram account last Tuesday and again on Saturday – without mention of the impending closure. The restaurant’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts were no longer active on Monday.

The hospitality management company opened Kildare’s Irish Pub on the second floor of the Galleria in July 2008 – the same month the company opened Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House at Dover Downs.

The 12-year-old company began when Magrogan, a chiropractor-turned-restauranteur, opened a Kildare’s Irish Pub in West Chester. The company currently operates at least 15 restaurants under five brands, including Kildare’s, Doc Magrogan’s, Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Red Star Craft House and Barra Rossa Ristorante.

Last month, the Dave Magrogan Group announced it had sold the West Chester Kildare’s to Dane Gray, the longtime operations manager at the restaurant.

As of late 2014, Magrogran reportedly was in talks to open a Harvest Seasonal location in Delaware.

Kildare’s closing follows on the heels of Mizu Sushi Bar recently shutting its doors at 132 E. Main St. after six years in business.

“We never like to see any business close, but there is a certain element of turnover in the business community from year to year,” Nietubicz said. “Unfortunately, that’s the nature of small business anywhere, or medium and large business, for that matter.”

Nietbicz said he does not believe the closures of the restaurants are indicative of any larger trend.

He said the bustling college town remains an attractive location for eateries, noting that Duck Donuts and Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen just opened their doors in recent weeks. Additional restaurants – including Dairy Queen, Qdoba, Honeygrow and the Brazilian steakhouse Churrascaria Saudades – are also slated to open in the coming months.

Contact Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.