O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers Named July Small Business of the Month
Ambience, Ale, Appetizers and More Its authentic décor, Irish and American food and popular spirits drew such a great crowd, in November 2008 they opened a second, on State Road 38 East. Family Business “Business has been great, awesome,” says Jerry O’Bryan, who’s rolled out a special summer menu with items such as pork sandwiches and potato salad at the family-designed, family-built and family-run business named July Small Business of the Month by Greater Lafayette Commerce. That’s in addition to daily specials, steaks, corned beef and cabbage—“a good Irish meal”—and fish and chips—“We’re pretty well known for that.” The menu also features chicken salad, an Irish Reuben, Irish BLT, Molly Malloy, veggie sandwich, Guinness stew, desserts and more. An Irish Experience While the food is first-rate, the full experience makes it an occasion to remember. “Our goal is to bring a bit of Ireland to Greater Lafayette,” O’Bryan says. “We do so by offering authentic Irish and Irish American food and drink, free live Irish music every weekend, and other cultural events, such as tastings and dancing lessons.” The Levee pub employs 40; the East Side, 46. Outside its two pubs, the business sponsors and organizes the St. Patrick’s Day Parade each March 17, and this June it was the primary sponsor of the First Annual Irish Fest. Community participation is a hallmark for the business, which has supported the Mental Health Association, American Red Cross, Shop-with-a Cop and more. Hoosier by Birth Surprisingly, O’Bryan is an Indiana native, but he can trace his roots to family that left Ireland in 1851, ultimately becoming Indiana farmers. O’Bryan is the youngest of nine brothers and five sisters, with many family members helping him manage the business and working alongside him. He came to Lafayette in 1966; his wife is a native. O’Bryan ran the Hairman, a styling business, for years before opening his first pub. All About the People “The hair business is a people-oriented business,” he says. “You learn people are people, treat them nice, and they come back.” The same principles apply at the pubs, he says. “No one is a stranger. Everybody’s nice. We’re consistent on our foods and alcohol. Late night we have a fun time with our music. It’s a nice atmosphere for everybody.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Criteria for Small Business Winners Businesses nominated for the Small Business of the Month award must be: § Privately owned § In business under current ownership at least three years § A Greater Lafayette Commerce member § Staffed by 50 or fewer employees § Involved in the community 2010 Winners So far, Small Business Winners for 2010 are: Stanley Steemer, Small Business of the Year, January Monthly winners: T.J. Gall & Associates, February J.P. Video Productions, March Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Lafayette, April Artisan Electric LLC, May Sgt. Preston’s of the North, June O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers, July
Add Up to a Feast of Fun
The pubs in Ireland are known for their family feeling and robust good times with friends, and that’s what Jerry and Jan O’Bryan set out to capture when they opened O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers on the Levee in September 2006.
The Small Business of the Month is Proudly Sponsored by Lafayette Savings Bank
