Kelly’s Deli & Pub in The Vista has closed

Kelly’s Deli & Pub, which has anchored the corner of Park and Washington streets in The Vista for 14 years, has closed.

The bar, near Richland Library, was known for its regular happy hour crowd, engaging staff and late night reveling. It was an unique establishment in that it catered to blue collar workers, attorneys and sports fans of all ilks, but was also popular in the gay and lesbian community.

No reason for the closure has been released.

Co-owner Amye Rushing, in a Facebook post, wrote, “This was as difficult a decision as we’ve ever made but we...have other projects we want to do so, as hard as it may be, it’s time to move on.”

Co-owner and founder Kelly Whitlock was a long-time bartender at Columbia institution Group Therapy in Five Points before opening Kelly’s in 2002. She also founded the bar The Loose Cockaboose near Williams-Brice Stadium before selling it last year.

In a text to The State, Whitlock said, “Kelly’s is closed for right now, but who knows what will happen in the future. Very sad...but friendship and love will get us through.”