A Co Donegal woman has been forced to close her dream American pub because of rising costs and crime.
Jackie Gallanagh has been running the well-known Irish pub ‘Slainte’ in Oakland, California since 2017.
The Buncrana woman put her heart and soul into the venture and made it the focal point of the Irish community with regular trad sessions.
However, Jackie has now announced on social media that she was closing the pub, in part, due to rising crime in the area.
Crime rates across California have been on the increase in recent years, with the number of thefts recorded across the state on the rise.
Posting on social media, Jackie wrote: “Summer was very slow and between decreasing business and rising costs of supplies and labour, along with the rising crime in the area, we just can’t make the numbers work anymore,”
She added: “This means we, like so many others, have made the heartbreaking decision to close.”
In an interview with the Mercury News, Jackie said she struggled to keep the pub open due to vandalism.
“I made it through Covid, which was terribly harsh and difficult, only to have my wonderful customers stay home because of increased crime.
“It’s a sad day when you make the effort to go to Sláinte for a pint and some Irish food, music and company, only to walk back out to your car to find broken windows and vandalism.”
“Your bill for your evening out just increased to $500. No one can be expected to pay that. No one,” she said
Jackie has asked locals to continue to support the pub and the trad musicians for this last month of business.
Writing on their website and social accounts, she says: “We Irish have a phrase: Slán go fóill. It means goodbye for now.
“It seems appropriate in this situation.
“Who knows? Maybe someone else out there who has always wanted an Irish pub can pick up the torch and make it go. We hope so.
“In the meantime, thank you for all your love, your kindness and donations during the pandemic, and your devoted support.”
