The reopening of Kelly’s Pub and Wine Bar in Redding has been a long time coming.
Owners Rob and Rhonda Hanson overcame a series of difficulties that began with Carr Fire, continued during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued through personal health setbacks.
Now they no longer have to hear their friends ask when they will open. The pair finally opened the pub’s doors in late June and celebrated their victory with a grand opening that was attended by many on Thursday.
Rob Hanson said he and his wife have been working on the renovation for about a year and a half at their new location at 2144 Hilltop Drive. He said they share ownership with his brother, Martin Hanson, and his sister-in-law, Stephanie, who lives in Kentucky.
“So much love, sweat, and tears went into it and so many steps to take,” said Rob Hanson. “We’ve learned the hard way that you make sure you know what you’re doing when you get into it.”
Use their new location to house Extreme Escape Redding, where players will try to find their way out of one of three rooms using clues, solving codes, and puzzles.
“Now it’s easier to get out of except you won’t want to,” Hanson told the crowded crowd on Thursday.
He thanked friends who continued to push the couple to realize their dream and not lose hope.
“There were so many times it seemed like it was going to go on and nothing was showing up for it, and then suddenly, bam, something happened. The wood comes alive, the colors match up perfectly and keeps us going,” he said.
Difficult experience:A friend starts fundraising to help the Redding couple who own Kelly’s Pub
The Hanson family’s story began in June 2018 when they bought the original pub across the street. One drawback was its invisible location down a narrow lane off Hilltop Drive, making it difficult to find at night. They worked regular day jobs while serving customers at night.
Their purchase came a month before Carr Fire began in July 2018. Business has been slow as the community endured its hardships – financial and otherwise – from the devastating and deadly fire.
The couple had struggles as Rhonda was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment while Rob was undergoing knee surgeries.
The next blow came when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Hanson closed the bar for five months. It reopened as the state called for seating limits and social distancing.
Realizing the need for a better location, Hansons found a new place to rent – the former escape rooms. They had some help from a Gofundme fundraiser started by a friend who begged, “Don’t let Kelly’s pub slip through the cracks!”
Now Kelly’s has a patio—with a splash—more seating indoors and more visibility.
In keeping with its Irish pub vibe, Kelly’s has a Guinness World Record with Nitro and is working on bringing back Harp and Smithwick’s Irish ale. The pub will feature occasional live music with an appetizer menu and handcrafted pizzas.
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jake Mangas introduced the Hanson family before the ribbon-cutting Thursday, saying the Hanson family has weathered hardships through persistence, faith and friendships.
“I know you’ve been through a lot over the past two years,” Mangas said. “This place has been completely changed. It would be a great place for people to come and breathe some life and reconnect with friends.”
Mike Chapman is an award-winning reporter and photographer for Record Searchlight in Redding, California. His newspaper career extends to Yreka and Eureka in Northern California and Bellingham, Washington. Support local journalism by subscribing today.