'We had a great eight years': New MJ's to replace PJ Sweeney's in Brick

Another MJ's Restaurant Bar and Grill is coming to the Jersey Shore.

PJ Sweeney's Restaurant & Irish Pub, a local Brick staple, has decided to close its doors to make way for MJ's ninth location in New Jersey. PJ Sweeney's owners Eugene "Gene" Gillespie and his son, Gene Gillespie Jr., said it was the right time to move on.

"MJ's is growing ... and this [area] is sort of in the wheelhouse of where they wanted to be," Gene Jr. said. "The time is right. We feel we had a great eight years here and they're the right people to buy the place.

"We know they're going to take care of the property and do some good things with it ...," he continued. "They're doing a lot of the things that we do to be part of the community."

The deal is still being finalized, so there is not a specific closing date yet. PJ Sweeney's will, however, be hosting a Customer and Staff Appreciation Party from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug, 20, with a free buffet, raffles and giveaways.

The party was announced in a farewell Facebook post made on Monday which in part read: "Our decision to move on was not an easy one, but we take comfort in knowing that we have made a positive impact in the lives of our customers and dedicated staff. The relationships we have built with all of you have been the cornerstone of our business, and we will cherish the memories and connections that have been established along the way."

PJ Sweeney's patrons will be happy to learn that the Gillespies plan to open in a new location at the Jersey Shore.

David Lance DeLisa, entertainment and creative director of MJ's Restaurants, said the opening will take place after remodeling and renovations. The group hopes to open around Thanksgiving, but that could change.

"It's going to necessitate some refreshing changes," De Lisa said. " ... There's a lot that's going to need to be unearthed."

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MJ's serves lunch and dinner, with classic bites like sandwiches and wraps, burgers, tacos and sushi.

Bargoers will find plenty of cocktails like the Lady Marmalade (with Whiskey, lemon juice, vanilla, and orange marmalade) and Kickstart Your Heart (with double espresso vodka, Jameson Cold Brew, Baileys Irish Cream and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey).

"We're a family restaurant, but we're also thankfully an award-winning sports bar," DeLisa said. "The sports programming is really important to us. {But} food is first."

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The bar plans to host DJ nights, live music, bar games and more.

MJ's has purchased other local restaurants, including the Sitting Duck in Long Branch, and The Cove in Bayville.

"We've had great success in Bayville and we thoroughly enjoy the community, so with our next outreach we thought we'd try to revisit a different area of Ocean County ..., " DeLisa said.

Although this temporary goodbye is bittersweet for the Gillespie family, they wish MJ's "continued success."

"[MJ's] is a similar concept to [PJ Sweeney's]," Gene Jr. said. "It's different, but it's not that different — so it'll be a nice transition for a lot of our patrons."

Both restaurants agreed that MJ's will give PJ Sweeney's employees an opportunity for employment.

Gene Jr. said his father will be traveling to Ireland after the closing to spend some time with family, but when he comes back he'll be recharged and ready to focus on their next endeavor.

Similar to the Bayville location, DeLisa expects to find success here.

"Brick is densely populated ... so it's a great opportunity, and we're looking to get immersed in the community," DeLisa said. "We definitely understand the emotions [behind this change]. There are probably a lot of memories [people] will cherish, but we hope to be able to create new memories."

Go: PJ Sweeney's, 447 Brick Blvd., Brick.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: PJ Sweeneys in Brick closes, new MJ's Restaurant to open